Ann Patchett’s latest novel, “Whistler,” presents a reunion between a woman and the stepfather she hasn’t seen in decades. While the story evokes a sense of rekindled connection, one might wonder if the perfection of this bond is entirely believable.
The narrative style of “Whistler” might remind some readers of Patchett’s previous work, “Tom Lake.” In “Tom Lake,” a mother on a cherry farm in Michigan recounts a past summer romance to her daughters during the harvest. This storytelling, delivered gently and gradually, resembles a modern-day Scheherazade, weaving a tale with each piece of the narrative.
“Tom Lake” is described as a delightful and perhaps indulgent novel. It is a pandemic-era story that portrays the crisis as an idyllic period. A family finds themselves together, with ample time for conversation, reminiscing, and cherishing one another amidst the backdrop of sun-ripened fruit, loyal rescue dogs, and a future momentarily paused. The novel hints at youthful glamour and a traditional domesticity, offering a metaphorical lesson in carefully selecting what is important, much like picking cherries.