Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe

Vinyl Cafe #5

by Stuart McLean

Every family has its secrets.When you commit acts of arson during Christmas dinner, attempt to start a life of crime by shoplifting a lipstick, or sink your false teeth into the forbidden pleasure of corn on the cob, it’s hard to come clean. But Stuart McLean has got the goods on Dave and his family.Morley, for example, is reluctant to talk about her beauty parlour betrayal and that other man in her life—Mathieu—while Dave tries to avoid mentioning his assault on an innocent dentist. These are the things they wouldn’t tell you lies, white and otherwise, aliases, double lives, and all manner of petty crimes and everyday transgressions. These are the Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe .
 

Genres: Fiction, Short Stories, Canada, Humor, Comedy, Canadian Literature, Anthologies

256 pages, Paperback

First published September 27, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There was more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

From the Vinyl Cafe web site: Stuart McLean was a best-selling author, award-winning journalist and humorist, and host of CBC Radio program The Vinyl Cafe.

Stuart began his broadcasting career making radio documentaries for CBC Radio's Sunday Morning. In 1979 he won an ACTRA award for Best Radio Documentary for his contribution to the program's coverage of the Jonestown massacre.

Following Sunday Morning, Stuart spent seven years as a regular columnist and guest host on CBC's Morningside. His book, The Morningside World of Stuart McLean, was a Canadian bestseller and a finalist in the 1990 City of Toronto Book Awards.

Stuart has also written Welcome Home: Travels in Small Town Canada, and edited the collection When We Were Young. Welcome Home was chosen by the Canadian Authors' Association as the best non-fiction book of 1993.

Stuart's books Stories from the Vinyl Cafe, Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged, Vinyl Cafe Diaries, Dave Cooks the Turkey, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe and Extreme Vinyl Cafe have all been Canadian bestsellers. Vinyl Cafe Diaries was awarded the Canadian Authors' Association Jubilee Award in 2004. Stuart was also a three-time winner of the Stephen Leacock Memorial Medal for Humour for Home from the Vinyl Cafe, Vinyl Cafe Unplugged and, most recently, Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe.

Vinyl Cafe books have also been published in the U.S., the U.K., Australia and New Zealand.

Stuart was a professor emeritus at Ryerson University in Toronto and former director of the broadcast division of the School of Journalism. In 1993 Trent University named him the first Rooke Fellow for Teaching, Writing and Research. He has also been honored by: Nipissing University (EdD(H)); University of Windsor (Lld) and Trent University (DLH). Stuart served as Honorary Colonel of the 8th Air Maintenance Squadron at 8 Wing, Trenton from 2005 to 2008.

Since 1998 Stuart has taken The Vinyl Cafe to theatres across Canada, playing in both large and small towns from St. John's, Newfoundland to Whitehorse in the Yukon.

Close to one million people listen to The Vinyl Cafe every weekend on CBC Radio and Sirius Satellite Radio and on a growing number of Public Radio stations in the United States. The program is also broadcast on an occasional basis on the BBC.

Reviews

[Ian M. Pyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

As with most short story compilations, the reader has their favourites because they resonate with us for some reason, while others, well not so much.

This book is divided into five sections with sixteen stories matching the title of the section. My favs: Opera, Tree Planting, Sam the Athlete, Kenny Wong's Practical Joke, The Laundry Chute, The Phone Message and Science Experiment.

Certainly for fans of Stuart McLean if you've not read it.

[Karin · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say? McLean was an amazing humorist and there isn't a story I didn't like, although of course some are funnier to me than others. Don't be fooled by the cover or even the very start, this is not a graphic book, but it has some fun graphic-book style stuff at the very start. There are many classic Vinyl Cafe stories in her, but in writing the one that made me laugh the hardest was "Dad is Dying." Of course, some of the other really funny ones I have heard on audio CD so it's not because it is the only one that funny in the book.

The very best way to enjoy McLean is to hear him--he was a radio celebrity after all--but since most of his recordings haven't been released by the CBC, reading him is the next best thing.

There are some poignant moments, of course, but if you are looking for something to give you a laugh as a break from Real Life, this is a good choice.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stuart McLean gets called the Canadian Garrison Keillor, and I can understand where that comes from but I think it's a bit unfair; I find McLean a lot more amusing than Keillor, for one thing! This is another short story collection revolving around Dave & Morley and their family. Several laugh-out-loud moments and lots of feel-good stories. Great light reading.

[Tori · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one had some of my favourite stories in it. Dad is dying sounds awful, but I think it’s the funniest one. I really love these books!

[Joanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice, fun read, exactly what it should be. It was a very tame slice-of-life, but that made it all the more enjoyable. Stuart McLean's storytelling abilities are so compelling and the characters are wonderfully brought to life. The "Dad is Dying" story was my favourite, it was built up in such a great way and made me laugh so much. All the stories are lighthearted and lovable.

It is very simplified. There's no controversy or difficulty in the topics, it's readable and relaxing. Even the deaths are elegant and natural. It's a nice thing to read once in a while. And very very Canadian.

[Jenna Loder · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many silly, quirky, touching and unique stories by McLean. I love how the characters are linked throughout. It keeps you invested into each new story. Overall, I had quite a few laughs and even shared my progress with my partner who enjoyed listening. I'll definitely be reading more!

[Jennie MC · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hilarious!!

[Maria Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meant to be read out-loud, this collection is quaint, beautiful - at times breath takingly funny, at others one reads through tears. Endearing and enduring.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Guaranteed to make you laugh out loud every few pages: you can't be sad, panicky, angry or lonely reading about the myriad comical adventures of these neighbours. So glad there are many more volumes: enough to keep me laughing through Covid and all its variants!

[Dina McPhee · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!!

[Riley Nixon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pointless but harmless

[Kalen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still hear Stuart McLean's voice when I read these stories but reading them back to back you realize how Dave really is not that smart.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had 3 laughing fits when I read this so you tell me if that was a good book or not.

[Michael Burgess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this and especially enjoyed reading a Canadian author who based so much in Canada. The stories were light and just a really chill and enjoyable read. Definitely a nice little break from reality.

[Ian MacIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny, funny, funny! I can almost hear Stuart McLean's voice reading the stories.

Quaint stories. Perfect to end this annus horribilis.

[Sandy Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

This stuff is true chicken soup for the soul. The stories are fun and feel-good, and it's a nice change of pace for a homesick Canadian.

[Kevin Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Canada's answer to Garrison Keillor, with an urban twist! McLean's Vinyl Cafe, the "smallest record store in the world" -- whose motto is: "We may not be big, but we're small" conveys life's day-to-day trivialities with humor and compassion on the human condition. Think a more compassionate, literary "Seinfeld," without the sexual suggestiveness. McLean also has a radio show of the same name on CBC and on NPR in some US markets.

I recommend McLean's books of short stories about Dave's family in suburban Toronto, and his radio show -- light reading, but always insightful.

[Jay Rain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating - 8.6

Might be the best of the bunch as there are plenty of laugh out loud moments that are balanced w sentimental & communal lessons - helps to have prior knowledge as you really appreciate the Dave

Still a lingering tackle of death but handled in a more subtle way than VCD & keeps the good times going - there are also more stories about the secondary characters that provide their own laughter

[Carolyn Doucet · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book holds a special place in my heart. My father (who has since passed away), my mom and I used to listen to the Vinyl Cafe on CBC radio on the weekend when I lived at home. We would laugh so hard at some of Stuart McLean's stories. This book did not disappoint- hilarious, laugh-out-loud stories, cute anecdotes, real, flawed characters.. it is great. I loved it for a quick pick-up to read just one story, or cruise through a few of them in one night.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love listening to these stories on the radio. I found this book on the library book shelves and was so happy. All the stories in this book are great. Highly recommend you read about Dave, Morley, the kids and of course the connected family and friends.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes touching, sometimes insightful, often poignant and funny - these are the reasons I love Stuart McLean and consider him a national treasure!

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep reading these thinking something will change, but I still love them. They are perfect!

[JoeK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good, although this volume swung more toward humour and away from the quiet introspection that I find so special about Stuart McLean's writing.

I am awestruck by the varied, intricate, yet nuanced tales that he generates. I am eager to read about his thought processes and inspirations. I've done a bit of online research, and found interviews with the author discussing this just a bit. One story in this book was apparently inspired by a story about a boy stuck in a laundry chute. Stuart didn't know how' to get the boy into the chute to tell the story, and then he associated it with the Springhill mining disaster of 1956. Suddenly it was a story about Dave in his early childhood. From simple beginnings comes a story, not really about Dave, but about how his mother is starting to explore life again, years after the death of her husband.

I wonder about chronology, and if someone has put all the stories in order. I'm sure they were written out of order, and I'm sure I heard them out of Stuart's order, and now I'm consuming the books out of published order. I'm sure it doesn't matter. But I am curious about the obvious stories that M. Mclean was building up to, but never got to tell.

[Parker Ortlieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is hilarious, with a genius plot that is so elaborate all of the characters mistakes affect each other. Causing more characters to make mistakes. As a result characters are often introduced by their mistakes leading to each other. A lot like the three stooges but only with more stooges. There is lots of detail used to show the pain each character is going through or the severity of their mistake. Last but not least the way the narrator is a spy that knows everyone's secrets, is a genius way to narrate a story from a third party perspective, while still knowing the thoughts of characters.

[Lester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hahahahahah..Stuart McLean is great!! (not was..is..and will continue to be so!!)
Always enjoyed listening to The Vinyl Café on CBC..and reading Stuart McLean..and seeing him in person. As like many others..I listened to so many stories repeated over the years..and re-enjoyed them every time. Reading the books is the same..I can hear the stories being told.
Kenny Wong and Dave's practical jokes on April Fools Day are things I still want to do!
Thank you to Stuart and his crew for creating the stories.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another volume of stories from Stuart McLean's Vinyl Cafe radio show. I don't enjoy the stories that involve characters other than the main ones, Dave and Morley, quite as much, and there were quite a few of those here. But overall still a fun read. It does help to be able to imagine the stories being read in McLean's tone of voice and cadence. And this volume includes a classic and hilarious Christmas story, Christmas at the Turlington's.

[Lila · Rating 4 out of 5]

A series of light, humorous and non-offensive short stories with a very Canadian setting and point of view. Based on a radio show (which I never heard) these are obviously intended for a Canadian audience and, thus, are very beneficial for American readers who need more exposure to publications intended for citizens of other countries.

[Evan Brow · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this short story compliation in the "Dave and Morley-verse," or the "Vinyl Cafe Expanded Universe." I teared up at "Opera" and "The Laundry Chute" and I will always remember "Tree Planting," which is an amazing story and can be seen as a guiding philosophy in life. Each story is so rich will sincerity, humour, and meaning. They all blow me away.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe if I had heard these instead of read them, I would have appreciated them more. To me, they were funny (though some did make me slightly uncomfortable…it’s a very Canadian, unique sense of humor), and well-written, but ultimately forgettable. Maybe I just didn’t care about the family enough because I was given the book as a gift and knew NOTHING about it.

[amber ✳ · Rating 3 out of 5]

i'm not usually one for anthologies or compilations, but i made an exception this time because all the stories are by the same author, and about the same characters. i enjoyed the book, although i don't think i'd make it a reread or add the rest of this series to my tbr. but nonetheless, a nice little boredom buster.