Runestruck

by Calvin Trillin

When two gas station attendants find what appears to be a Viking runestone while clamming, a (fictional) small Maine town goes agog with Viking enthusiasm. Berryville is set to lay claim to be the site of America's first Nordic colonists, although there are some skeptics, too. A comic novel, including some fine faux country-music lyrics.

Genres: Novels

First published January 1, 1977

About the author

Calvin (Bud) Marshall Trillin is an American journalist, humorist, and novelist. He is best known for his humorous writings about food and eating, but he has also written much serious journalism, comic verse, and several books of fiction.

Trillin attended public schools in Kansas City and went on to Yale University, where he served as chairman of the Yale Daily News and became a member of Scroll and Key before graduating in 1957; he later served as a trustee of the university. After a stint in the U.S. Army, he worked as a reporter for Time magazine before joining the staff of The New Yorker in 1963. His reporting for The New Yorker on the racial integration of the University of Georgia was published in his first book, An Education in Georgia. He wrote the magazine's "U.S. Journal" series from 1967 to 1982, covering local events both serious and quirky throughout the United States.

Reviews

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read especially appreciated by one who grew up in a small New England village. I recognize these people.... The locals at the restaurant, the transplants from the city, the tension between commerce and preservation all delivered in a way you find yourself chuckling ( yes, chuckling!) many times throughout.

[Katherine Tomlinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gem of a book. Genuinely hilarious.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this because I loved Tepper Isn't Going Out, also by Calvin Trillin. It was not quite as good but a light enjoyable read.

[Alice Blair · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fun and funny story provides a perfect pandemic winter lift. Calvin Trillin’s clever humor and writing style from his non-fiction New Yorker articles translates well to a soothing novel with subtle humor.

[Olga Vannucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you thought about history,
You made a mistake.
Like so much on this earth,
It's about real estate.

[Denise Schlachtaub · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was in a box of old books - A cute story, and a very fast read. Nothing profound, but I enjoyed the characters, and smiled at the end. Worth reading.