Literary Easter Eggs in Tom Lake

Our Town: A Play in Three Acts, opens a new window by Thornton Wilder, opens a new window 

The play Our Town features prominently in Tom Lake. Ann Patchett has said that while the plot of Tom Lake evolved significantly from the original idea, the connection to Our Town was always there. 

Little House on the Prairie, opens a new window by Laura Ingalls Wilder, opens a new window 

Little House on the Prairie gets two honorable mentions! First, Lara’s children say that this book reminds them of their own lives because of the poor heating in their home. Later, Lara mentions that she read this book to her grandmother while they did crafts in the days before prerecorded audiobooks. 

The Swiss Family Robinson, opens a new window by Johann David Wyss, opens a new window 

Lara’s former boyfriend and movie star is featured in a fictional movie remake of this book called Swiss Father Robinson. 

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, opens a new window by Stephen R. Covey, opens a new window 

After the tragic incident with Uncle Wallace, Lara finds this book on his nightstand. 

Moby Dick, opens a new window by Herman Melville, opens a new window 

Moby Dick is also mentioned twice! Lara’s daughter Nell says that her soon-to-be-brother-in-law offered to lend her this book to read during the pandemic, joking that it would be over by the time she finished the book. Later, Lara names this title as another book she read to her grandmother.