I have a flush of happiness with any Ann Patchett release, but a new novel is especially exciting. It’s cherry season in Michigan, and the narrator’s three daughters have returned to the family orchard to help with picking. While they work among the trees their mother recounts her youthful romance while performing in a season of Our Town, Thornton Wilder’s beloved 1938 play. Almost by accident, Lara discovers a talent for playing the lead Emily, and over a beguiling summer by Tom Lake falls for her charismatic co-star. He goes on to become a Hollywood celebrity.

Tom Lake touches on the present day subtly; Lara’s children are home because it is almost impossible to find seasonal workers during the pandemic, and neighbours have moved away with fruit too unprofitable to pick still on the tree. Even so, their farm is an idyll almost all the way removed from the crises of the outside world and the book moves from a nostalgic summer past to a sun-dappled present with notes of reflective regret and glowing contentment. Just lovely!