The Dog Says How

by Kevin Kling

Kevin Kling, best known for his popular commentaries on National Public Radio's All Things Considered and his storytelling stage shows like Tales from the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log, delivers hilarious, often tender stories to readers everywhere with his first book, he Dog Says How. Kling's autobiographical tales are as enchanting as they are true to hopping freight trains, getting hit by lightning, performing his banned play in Czechoslovakia, growing up in Minnesota, and eating things before knowing what they are.

In "Circus Tale," Kling recollects how his love of boats, animals, and adventure inspired him to join a traveling circus troupe—but it was the all-you-can-eat buffets that cinched the deal. In "Hockey Hair," Kling spots old pals from his hometown who sport mullet-like haircuts, spurring him to unlock doors to his past. In the comical yet poignant title story, Kling straddles the world of the ordinary and one rivaling Dante's inferno as he learns how to use voice-recognition software after a motorcycle accident.

In Kling's classic and never-before-told stories, "the mundane becomes magical, the fantastic becomes accessible and through it all his profound sense of curiosity about the world transforms the everyday to the timeless"—Queen Anne News, Seattle.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Humor, Essays, Audiobook, Short Stories, Book Club

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Kevin Kling is a well-known playwright and storyteller, and his commentaries can be heard on NPR’s All Things Considered. His plays and adaptations have been performed around the world. He lives in Minneapolis.

From the author's website.

Reviews

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you've ever heard that sing-song Scandinavian lilt so well known in the upper midwest, you'll hear it in Kevin Kling's writing. You'll identify with his endearing and scathingly honest accounts of the culture and the people that make Minnesota so beloved. From the first time I heard him on Minnesota Public Radio and in his narration at the historical A/V presentation at the Mill City Museum in Minneapolis, I knew I liked him. Kling's writing is the type that comes across as conversation with your neighbor on the other side of the fence while you're sippin' a Leiny and cooking brats on the BBQ. The Dog Says How was a fun read and only made me long for the peculiarities that made my time as a transplant in Minnesota so ... well ... nice!

[Amanda up North · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got to experience Kevin Kling telling stories at our local preforming arts theater last month (An Afternoon of Song and Story). I wasn't familiar with him until he started speaking— his voice was instantly recognizable from the radio. I'm a huge Paul Allen fan, voice of the MN Vikings, but I think Kevin Kling could very well be the voice of Minnesota.
I loved the program. When I found that he'd written this book, I had to read it. He's a fantastic story teller, with humor and heart, and his voice, his animation, his MN accent, they make it all even better. I could hear it in his writing.
Kevin Kling is unique in that he was born with a congenital condition that has limited the use of his left arm all his life. Later in life, he was in a motorcycle accident that paralyzed his right arm. This unfortunate scenario, and the trauma he's been through, gives Kevin a special perspective on life. I find him inspiring.

As with all books of essays and short stories, I liked some of them more than others.
I love when he talks about his mom and dad, his grandmother and grandfather, his brother. And Minnesota stuff. I appreciate how candidly he shares about his accident and its effects, and bits about living with a disability. It's not his focus, but it's a constant for him that comes through now and then in his writing.
My favorite stories include dogs (no explanation needed). View from the card table— so nostalgically Midwestern Christmas. And the gift— because talking to strangers, making friends, it rings deep in my heart.

I love this, from prayer:
"..I don't know whether good things happen more because I was saying thank you, or I was just noticing them more.
But blessings started to emerge from the curses. For one thing, I get to see people at their best ever day. Sometimes I need help. And people are incredible, literally right there to lend a hand. And nobody looks better than when they're helping someone."

And this, from racing toward solace:
"I believe each of us is drawn to a geography whether it's mountains, the desert, or an ocean. There lives in a particular nature that which provides us solace but also awakens our muse.
For me it's the forests and lakes in northern Minnesota."

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful collection of autobiographical short stories about both Minnesota and abroad. A mix of tragedy, comedy, and adventure.

[Julie Capell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh-out-loud funny stories with just the right touch of poignancy to keep them from being saccharine. The author is from Minnesota and tells stories grounded in his childhood, so the inevitable comparison to Garrison Keillor comes to mind. But since Kling is from a much different generation than Keillor--my generation, in fact--the stories feel very different and more relatable. Spaghettios and grilled cheese sandwiches, skating in winter with hand-me-down skates, eating Jello at every meal, all these tidbits of everyday life took me right back to my own Wisconsin childhood.

I HIGHLY recommend the audio version of this book. Listening to the author read this in his Minnesota accent adds immeasurably to the stories, and since he is an actor, he is well able to perform the work.

One of the best books I have read so far this year.

[Susannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love *listening* to Kevin Kling, but I'm just not sure his stories hold up as well when written. Without the benefit of Kling's distinctive, warm delivery, the stories' homespun wisdom feels a bit forced and within easy spitting distance of trite cliche. I suspect if I'd taken this in as a book on tape, I might have felt quite a bit differently. I wish I could say I enjoyed this more.

[Erinp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this. Just short snippets that were funny and cute and endearing and maybe what I needed at this point in my may but a really lovely reading experience. A lot of the reviews say that its not the same as his NPR skits but I've never heard him so have nothing to compare him to which may have helped.

[Tom McDowell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read with lots of chuckles and an occasional laugh out loud…. mainly due to Kling’s hilarious descriptions.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was fortunate to have been able to attend a play by Kevin Kling while in Seattle recently. It was wonderfully funny, and I was immensely pleased to discover someone else who will admit to getting into a front-loading dryer when a child and have his/her brother watch them go around and around until it was the brother's turn. I am still out-numbered, however. I now have heard of three guys, and me, the lone girl, to have done it. But I know there are others out there. They just won't admit it. This book is similar in theme. I grew up in the southeast corner of Virginia. Kevin Kling grew up in Minnesota. I was entranced by the similarities and by the differences. He talks of TV shows I have never heard of and of Highlights magazine features that I loved. Of all the stories, my favorite two are the one about the beaver and the one about the Twins baseball game. The former has a last sentence that sparks the imagination and allows the reader to continue on in his/her own mind to create what must be happening now. The second has a spontaneity that I adored. I can picture it now, like a 60's "happening" or a show within a show, that poor unsuspecting kid fueling a crescendo of cheers and back slaps and happiness that I felt all the way to my bones. Mr. Kling, thank you.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read for any Minnesotan or someone who loves a Minnesotan. Perhaps even for those who hate a Minnesotan. This book reveals a bit of our souls in every story. Know that some of the stories may be unbelievable but that’s just part of living in a place where the air hurts your face sometimes.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. For me, this book had a personal side as well since I went to college with Kevin and was able to connect his childhood life with the person I knew via the short stories in this book. His droll wit most definitely comes through. A delight!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

So funny and fresh. He needs an editor next time to tighten it up.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kevin Kling has been a Minnesota institution because of both his writing and various live shows. This book is solidly in the mainstream of the writing that reflects who he is and why Minnesotans care about him. It's not his tough life – which has been even if sometimes self-induced. It's the words.
In his writing and live monologues, there is a sympathetic note one can't miss. He loves the people around him, his family, his experiences. His wit is quite droll, but always sympathetic. His holiday show, the Charred Underbelly of the Yule Log, repeats anecdotes that are sometimes in his books. They are funny, and even better when delivered in person when one is surrounded by an audience who is ready to sympathize and laugh with him. One feels as if one's close to the Yule-log with him. We're all laughing about ourselves and our own families.
Perhaps it's a Minnesota thing, but he is a beloved writer who makes us laugh here is the (usually) cold northland. Give him a try; maybe you'll find you're able to laugh along with us.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This slim volume ( 178 pages) was published in 2007. I picked it up somewhere and read through it rather fast. Kevin Kling gave commentaries on public radio so I assume these stories are from there...These are autobiographical stories--some are about his childhood in Minnesota, some from adulthood. Some deal with learning to live with disabilities, as he had a near-fatal motorcycle accident. And, for me, a dog-lover, some of his best comments are about our canine companions. Told with humor, Kling's stories are all very relatable for everyone. Minnesotan or not.

[Mary Rude · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book to my elderly mother at night before bed, and she really enjoyed it a lot. Some of the chapters are hilarious -- the one about dogs and the funny ways we view them made her laugh out loud more than she's laughed in years. The book does become more serious in sections, though, and deals with serious subjects such as death and faith. The stories do feel a little random, and I liked some more than others, but this is definitely an enjoyable read with some stories that I'll remember for a long time.

[Bill Olson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. It made me laugh, made me think, made me imagine, made me remember. Because we are of a similar age and spent much time growing up in and around Minneapolis and St. Paul, these vignettes of his life also resonated strongly with me. I have always liked the author’s sense of humor and writing style. I would like to see, or read, his play 21A again. I will definitely look for more of his writings.

[Tammy O · Rating 5 out of 5]

I laughed a lot and almost cried a lot. Kevin is an amazing author. Each short chapter was a story onto itself. I would like to see him perform live some day. He is a gift to all of us and a reminder that we can face adversity and still be a happy person. I LOVED the Casey Jones chapter with Roundhouse Rodney in particular. And the mention of Gilligan's Island and drive-in movie theaters and on and on and on.

[V · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought the book after listening to Kevin Kling on On Being. I found that conversation powerful and uplifting, his telling of his life story was incredible.

This book however -- a lot of the stories were funny and he's a wonderful writer, but didn't feel as deep as the conversation. I'd 100% go watch him live, he has a hilarious style!

[Rachel Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of listening to Kevin Kling at a storytelling festival and he does not disappoint. I listened to this audiobook and I was laughing out loud at home too. Lots of stories of his life growing in Minnesota. Funny and also poignant. Highly recommend you listen to this audiobook. (I used the Hoopla app)

[Mary Aalgaard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kevin Kling is an excellent storyteller. I knew who he was and was familiar with some of his works, but hadn’t heard him speak live until he came to our local library last winter. He was so entertaining, funny and honest. He narrates his book filled with personal essays and reflections on life. A wonderful, uplifting listen.

[Auriel Fournier · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's pretty rare I laugh aloud while reading and I did several times in this book, which resulted in my husband asking what was up and I'd read the section aloud and we'd laugh together. This book is heartfelt, warm, full of dogs and family and learning about life.

[Erin Heddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing collection of short stories, this book was given to me by a friend and although I didn't always read it, it seldom left my side taking a bit of a beating in the process. This book is hilarious and heartbreaking. Everyone should read it.

[Shelbey Clever · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun read. Kevin Kling regins from Minnesota and it brought me a lot of joy to read his stories of home. He had some of his travels too. Each story is funny and it has a underlining deep thought to each. I loved it and would highly recommend!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had never heard of this author before, but I needed a short audio book and this fit the bill. It was quite enjoyable to listen to but I suspect there is little I remember a month from now.

[Dallas Rising · Rating 5 out of 5]

The audiobook is the only way to go on this one. Supurb.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book especially resonates with Minnesotans and dog lovers but anyone will appreciate the humor and insights.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laughed out loud!

[Zuvielekatzen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not familiar with Kevin. Amusing stories. Interesting stories. I liked this book.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good stories by a great story teller!
Talks about gratefulness and perseverance
I like this guy!

[Jenson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book read just like a Bob Goff book and I mean that in the best way. A few time I had to double check what book I was reading.

[Sj · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny set of essays. Impressive also is his attitude toward his handicap.