Any other Ann Patchett fans out there?

[ReacherSaidNothing]

I'm currently reading Tom Lake, about 50 pages in so far and I feel it's starting to pick up after initially being sceptical about the glowing reviews. The first book of hers I read was Commonwealth, followed by The Dutch House. Both of these were fantastic IMO and cemented my love for stories which document family dynamics.

Bel Canto was okay but definitely not loved as much by me as the previous two, while The Magician's Assistant has been my least favourite of hers.

What's your favourite, or indeed least favourite, books of hers?

My fave of hers was State of Wonder. Also liked the Dutch House. She also has a memoir I am interested in.

I've really enjoyed her non-fiction book ~ This is the Story of a Happy Marriage

It's a series of essays about her life and I really enjoyed reading about her bookshop in Nashville

Strangely I don't think I've ever read any of her fiction . . . I love reading about families so it sounds as though Commonwealth and The Dutch House would be a good place to start?

One of my favourite authors. Read all of her books ☺️ State of wonder and Tom Lake were my favourites

She's a great author isn't she? Not much happens in her books as such, but the relationships between her characters and their interactions really keep me reading.

I find Anne Tyler to be similar in style although some of her books are pretty hit and miss.

Bel Canto and The Dutch House are my favourites. Hated State of Wonder. Interesting how we all like Patchett, but prefer different books. Haven't heard of The Magician's Assistant so off now to look on Audible.

Loved State of Wonder, Commonwealth and Bel Canto. Liked the Dutch House a bit less. She is very talented and can write all kinds of different style books.
Even Tom Lake, which I think would have been very average written by someone else, was very good. I think her style is broader and less comfortable than Anne Tyler, who I do also love.

Prefer Elizabeth Strout though it's close.

Liked Commonwealth and the Dutch House, think they were better than Bel Canto.
My favourite is Run, the scene where the character runs is amazing. One of those scenes where you feel like you're there.

I am borderline obsessed by Ann Patchett! I follow her bookshop Parnassus Books on instagram. Every Friday she recommends a book 'if you haven't read it before it's new to you' - my to-read pile is growing and growing thanks to her (although she is maybe running out of ideas, her older suggestions seem better).

Highly recommend the audiobooks of the Dutch House and Tom Lake which are read by Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep respectively.

No, I read one book of hers, having heard much praise of her as a writer, but found it dull and pointless.

However, if you're a fan, you might be interested to know that she also has a bookstore.

Parnassus Books — ANN PATCHETT

Author Ann Patchett Opens Own Indie Bookstore : NPR

I found Tom lake a bit slow going but I did read it entirely and enjoyed it. I loved the commonwealth and Dutch house and recently listened to commonwealth on audio in my car. I have read both of those twice plus audio. Bel canto is such a different unusual story and sad ending. Her bookstore is in Nashville Tenn and I found it to be a bit plain Jane. I do enjoy the concentration her books require. You have to read each sentence intentionally and allow the story line to build in your mind.

The audible version of Tom Lake is narrated by Meryl Streep, found it relaxing, easy listen

I've just finished reading "Tom Lake" this evening and thought it was superb. First book of her's that I've read.

State of wonder is brilliant. I've been less impressed by others.

Just reading Tom Lake and finding it a bit slow. Having said that her characters are great!

Loved Tom Lake. Only one I have ever read and it's already up there with my favourites.

The Dutch House is my favourite, followed by Tom Lake. I love her writing!

Looks like I need to read Tom Lake.

My favourite (so far) has been The Magician's Assistant. Awful start but then it diverged and I loved it.

Least favourite is Bel Canto but I can't remember why. I suspect I thought it just didn't live up to the hype.

I adore Ann Patchett. I enjoyed Tom Lake but it wasn't my favourite of hers - I loved State of Wonder and The Dutch House, and enjoyed Bel Canto except the ending

Currently reading Tom Lake, having started slowly i feel its picking up as it goes.

I loved Bel Canto but only liked Dutch House. I think we must have very different tastes if you describe Anne Tyler as hit and miss though!

I found it a slow start and then the plot unfolded.

Yes, I loved Bel Canto. I liked the magicians assistant, but you can tell it's an early work. Tom lake on audible read by meryl streep was fab. Did you know she wrote it on a treadmill in lock down?

She's a reliable read for me, and if I'm ever stuck for what to read/listen to next I check out what's left of hers that I've not read. Not much, it turns out, but I'd not read the essays and might go for that next!

Was disappointed in Tom Lake in the end. Her others are much better.

I'm a fan but I found Tom Lake very slow. Commonwealth was my favourite. She is a beautiful writer.

I loved Bel Canto, State of Wonder and The Dutch House, but like @KnitnNatterAuntie my absolute favourite is her non fiction This is the Story of a Happy Marriage.