The Road Home: News from Lake Wobegon

by Garrison Keillor (contributor)

Some say a place is home when you know where all the roads go. Over in Lake Wobegon, all the roads take you there, and it's never been any different. And what you learn along the way is that-quicker than any road sign or street map or pair of shiny red shoes-all you really need is a story to get you from here to there. A story about an ordinary day, any ordinary day. About a young woman and her bridal shower, about a fishing shack and when it's prudent to drive out on the ice. A story about springtime, and air thick with desire, or about the advantages of dynamite when you're digging a grave in winter. Interim pastors, and lutefisk dinners, hunting pheasant in autumn and a food fight with spaghetti. Home is a fine place to listen. No need for a parka. No need to get up. Just light the fire, make some popcorn and hit "Play." The Road Home will take you all the way to where you already are. No place like it. No place at all. Garrison Keillor has been delighting audiences for four decades now with heartfelt, moving, and downright hilarious tales from the shores of Lake Wobegon. Never before collected, these expertly crafted stories are full of gentle humor, genuine emotion, and (more often than not) surprising insights into family, relationships, community, faith, and hope.

Genres: Humor, Audiobook, Fiction, Short Stories

Audio CD

Published April 19, 2016

About the author

Gary Edward "Garrison" Keillor is an American author, singer, humorist, voice actor, and radio personality. He created the Minnesota Public Radio (MPR) show A Prairie Home Companion (called Garrison Keillor's Radio Show in some international syndication), which he hosted from 1974 to 2016. Keillor created the fictional Minnesota town Lake Wobegon, the setting of many of his books, including Lake Wobegon Days and Leaving Home: A Collection of Lake Wobegon Stories. Other creations include Guy Noir, a detective voiced by Keillor who appeared in A Prairie Home Companion comic skits. Keillor is also the creator of the five-minute daily radio/podcast program The Writer's Almanac, which pairs poems of his choice with a script about important literary, historical, and scientific events that coincided with that date in history.
In November 2017, Minnesota Public Radio cut all business ties with Keillor after an allegation of inappropriate behavior with a freelance writer for A Prairie Home Companion. On April 13, 2018, MPR and Keillor announced a settlement that allows archives of A Prairie Home Companion and The Writer's Almanac to be publicly available again, and soon thereafter, Keillor began publishing new episodes of The Writer's Almanac on his website. He also continues to tour a stage version of A Prairie Home Companion, although these shows are not broadcast by MPR or American Public Media.

Reviews

[Fran · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a collection of live stories from Lake Wobegon by the author. It's only done as an audio. I hadn't read any previous books featuring these characters, although I had previously heard of it.

[Paula L · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am new to this series. I was surprised it was written in 2015. The stories seemed much further back although they were the author’s memories. This book was on the short story sale so I am pleased not to use a credit for this introduction. I loved the author’s narration! He sang and just was an excellent story teller with rye humor. I am looking forward to seeking out more from this author.

[Karyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never can go wrong with tales from Lake Wobegon. Nothing like Garrison Keillor, always love him.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Audible download narrated by the author himself, it's a hilarious collection of the "News from Lake Wobegon" that Garrison Keillor made so famous in his long-running radio show.

[Sue · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not his best. I enjoy listening to him in small doses, he tends to whistle his "s"sounds and it can become a bit much at times.

[Susanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 rounded up. Not my absolute favorite set of stories and definitely many felt rushed. I think majority were from the final years and that might be why. Still, enjoyable a d funny!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and humorous

[Scott Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

He's one of my favorite storytellers of all time!

[Tom Slama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Three plus hours of News from Lake Wobegon---How can it not be 5-stars!!

[Elsie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this radio show when I was introduced to it by my husband’s family 35 years ago. This is a great book to listen to since you actually hear his show.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sentimental re-visit to long-time Saturday evening favorite.

[Trisha Powers Holder · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's all clips from the show. Fun walk down memory lane.

[STACEY BRUZZESE · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of funny little anecdotes from Minnesota life. Makes you laugh out loud.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of stories from the host of A Prarie Home Companion. Fun little snippets about life in rural Minnesota that give you a peek into small town USA. Good for a quick listen.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️❤️❤️ Lake Wobegon ❤️❤️❤️

[SHANNON YOUNG · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars - "it was ok"

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

loving this too!! had me smiling from ear to ear!!

[Sterling · Rating 4 out of 5]

thats the news from Lake Wobegon... where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking and all the children are above average.

[Liza May · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this years ago (not here in 2022.) It sits on my bookshelf beside every other book GK has ever written. He was a favorite author for many years. Don't know why, but something about his nostalgia, wistfulness, and the underlying dark view of human nature doesn't appeal to me anymore. It doesn't seem funny like it used to. Either I've changed, or times have changed, or both.

[Richard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Keillor seems to sing more hymns in this audiobook then he has previously. Good stories for a feel good chuckle.