There’s been a lot of discussion about Tom Lake and how Ann Patchett portrays motherhood within that novel. As the mother of a teenage daughter, I cannot imagine recalling my romantic life (pre-husband) to my daughter, yet that’s the narrative of Tom Lake and what draws so many readers to that story. Motherhood is complicated and a constant roller-coaster of emotions!
I've not read Tom Lake, and I don't have daughters, so I can't comment on those things specifically. But even with a relatively boring romantic history prior to marriage, I don't think I'd want to share details with my kids. They know that I had some good boyfriends and some bad boyfriends. Quite often our conversations go along these lines: "Statistically you have a 2% chance of marrying your high school sweetheart. Which means you have a 98% chance of dating someone else's wife. So behave accordingly."
All of which to say, yes! Motherhood is so complicated. And hard. And wonderful. It is the best and worst job you can never quit. It alters every facet of your life. I wouldn't change it for the world.
There’s been a lot of discussion about Tom Lake and how Ann Patchett portrays motherhood within that novel. As the mother of a teenage daughter, I cannot imagine recalling my romantic life (pre-husband) to my daughter, yet that’s the narrative of Tom Lake and what draws so many readers to that story. Motherhood is complicated and a constant roller-coaster of emotions!
I've not read Tom Lake, and I don't have daughters, so I can't comment on those things specifically. But even with a relatively boring romantic history prior to marriage, I don't think I'd want to share details with my kids. They know that I had some good boyfriends and some bad boyfriends. Quite often our conversations go along these lines: "Statistically you have a 2% chance of marrying your high school sweetheart. Which means you have a 98% chance of dating someone else's wife. So behave accordingly."
All of which to say, yes! Motherhood is so complicated. And hard. And wonderful. It is the best and worst job you can never quit. It alters every facet of your life. I wouldn't change it for the world.
Just finished The Search Party. Knowing that motherhood was a theme had me looking at the dads in the story, also. Interesting perspective.
Oh yes! All the families in The Search Party are fascinating. Keep an eye out for more about that soon 😜.