What do you think?
Rate this book
Lake Wobegon #12
Boom Town: A Lake Wobegon Novel
Return to America’s most beloved fictional hometown! Lake Wobegon is having a boom year thanks to millennial entrepreneurship—AuntMildred’s.com Gourmet Meatloaf, for example, or Universal Fire, makers of artisanal firewood seasoned with sea salt. Meanwhile, the author flies in to give eulogies at the funerals of five classmates, including a couple whom he disliked, and he finds a wave of narcissism crashing on the rocks of Lutheran stoicism. He is restored by the humor and grace of his old girlfriend Arlene and a visit from his wife, Giselle, who arrives from New York for a big love scene in an old lake cabin.
Music composed and performed by Richard Dworsky
(c)2022 Richard Dworsky
Music composed and performed by Richard Dworsky
(c)2022 Richard Dworsky
275 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 11, 2022
86 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Garrison Keillor
282 books844 followersGary 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.
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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
July 29, 2024
This is a book about dying and losing the people in our lives. It was particularly apropos for me having lost 6 very important people in my life in the last 2 years. While funny, this isn't the story for the 20 year old zooming through life sucking the marrow out of its bones, it's for us middle aged and older folks who are watching their loved ones leave and going through life changes. Its got that wonderful Lake Woebegone character story fun, but also dives in deeper to some of these characters we have heard about for years. A worthy read but also a thought provoking.
May 1, 2022
One gets the impression that Keillor's later work is preparing his fandom for his death. With each successive novel, he appears to be thinking, "Well, if I go now, that's a good ending for Lake Wobegon."
In his latest, Keillor, the character, arrives in Lake Wobegon to do the eulogy for one classmate and to say goodbye to his beloved Arlene, his first love, who is dying of cancer. Arriving to find that Lake Wobegon has been taken over by millennial businesses offering, among other things, artisanal firewood, Keillor realizes that his beloved town, the one he, and we, his readers and listeners, loved, is essentially gone. Keillor is teaching us, preparing us, to say goodbye to the Lake Wobegon that has been a solace to us for so many years. It isn't ours, it turns out, and it really isn't Keillor's home, either. As all of us end up eventually, Lake Wobegon only exists in memory.
In his latest, Keillor, the character, arrives in Lake Wobegon to do the eulogy for one classmate and to say goodbye to his beloved Arlene, his first love, who is dying of cancer. Arriving to find that Lake Wobegon has been taken over by millennial businesses offering, among other things, artisanal firewood, Keillor realizes that his beloved town, the one he, and we, his readers and listeners, loved, is essentially gone. Keillor is teaching us, preparing us, to say goodbye to the Lake Wobegon that has been a solace to us for so many years. It isn't ours, it turns out, and it really isn't Keillor's home, either. As all of us end up eventually, Lake Wobegon only exists in memory.
June 19, 2022
I enjoyed this twist on the usual News From Lake Wobegon novel because he’s returned to an unrecognizable town. He sees a town that embodies the title while meeting new folks that have created the boom. He also spends lots of time with a handful of the old familiar crowd, reminiscing out loud and in his fantasies. Going easy on social criticism of the new ways, the book stays lighter than if he’d laid into the younger generation. He saves his heavy hand for the political right and its dangerous ways. His wife stays behind in New York, which allows us to focus more closely on him and his funeral eulogies (he delivers four or five) and his memories of the hot little number that is now elderly and dying, yet still sweet on him. A lot to appreciate in this volume that may be one of Keillor’s last.
August 19, 2022
After finishing Garrison Keillor's last Lake Wobegon novel, I felt like Keillor had reached a good stopping point for his fictional small town.
Alas, Keillor didn't feel the same way and presents us with another novel set in his fictional hometown. But while The Wobegon Virus left me feeling satisfied, Boom Town felt a bit like a last-second renewal for a once great show that while it doesn't necessarily tarnish the reputation of the show, doesn't exactly do it any great favors.
Boom Town finds Keillor returning to his fictional hometown for the funeral of a friend and finding out that his hometown is finally getting with the times and changing in unexpected ways. In the wake of Covid-19 and people realizing you can work from anywhere (so long as you have WiFi), Lake Wobegon is surging again and the people moving into town are a very different sort (for example, they get the town to pass an ordinance banning the Norwegian bachelor farmers from sitting on a bench all day).
Keillor also reflects on his time, growing up in the town, and his first adult relationship in a pivotal summer. Years later, the object of his desire is dying slowly and Keillor has to come to grips with that, as well as offer observations of the status of marriage.
And herein lies my biggest issue with Boom Town. Keillor seems to fall victim to the same pitfall that plagued other male writers as they aged (Asimov, Heinlein). And that is, the novel feels like it has far too much of an interest and focus on sex. I didn't necessarily mind Keillor detailing his first sexual encounter (this isn't a romance novel so it's not graphic) so much has I felt like we kept coming back to it over and over again during the course of the story. Nor do I mind Keillor reflecting on being a sexual being. But at some point, it crossed the thin line from reflection to feeling like I'm reading the thoughts of a (for lack of a better term) "dirty old man."
And I suppose that, as Keillor points out, an artist has to be more than just his or her most famous work. But I just never found the humor and observations to ring quite as true as some of my favorite Keillor stories from yesteryear.
Which is fine, I suppose. I can always re-read or listen to those again and remember why he's one of my favorite writers.
Alas, Keillor didn't feel the same way and presents us with another novel set in his fictional hometown. But while The Wobegon Virus left me feeling satisfied, Boom Town felt a bit like a last-second renewal for a once great show that while it doesn't necessarily tarnish the reputation of the show, doesn't exactly do it any great favors.
Boom Town finds Keillor returning to his fictional hometown for the funeral of a friend and finding out that his hometown is finally getting with the times and changing in unexpected ways. In the wake of Covid-19 and people realizing you can work from anywhere (so long as you have WiFi), Lake Wobegon is surging again and the people moving into town are a very different sort (for example, they get the town to pass an ordinance banning the Norwegian bachelor farmers from sitting on a bench all day).
Keillor also reflects on his time, growing up in the town, and his first adult relationship in a pivotal summer. Years later, the object of his desire is dying slowly and Keillor has to come to grips with that, as well as offer observations of the status of marriage.
And herein lies my biggest issue with Boom Town. Keillor seems to fall victim to the same pitfall that plagued other male writers as they aged (Asimov, Heinlein). And that is, the novel feels like it has far too much of an interest and focus on sex. I didn't necessarily mind Keillor detailing his first sexual encounter (this isn't a romance novel so it's not graphic) so much has I felt like we kept coming back to it over and over again during the course of the story. Nor do I mind Keillor reflecting on being a sexual being. But at some point, it crossed the thin line from reflection to feeling like I'm reading the thoughts of a (for lack of a better term) "dirty old man."
And I suppose that, as Keillor points out, an artist has to be more than just his or her most famous work. But I just never found the humor and observations to ring quite as true as some of my favorite Keillor stories from yesteryear.
Which is fine, I suppose. I can always re-read or listen to those again and remember why he's one of my favorite writers.
August 2, 2022
Pretty good book, kind of like listening to all of Keillor’ Prairie Home Companion monologues in one sitting or something like that. It would be nice for publishers to include a “cast of characters” in books such as these. There were so many in Boom Town it was hard to keep up but maybe that’s my age catching up with me. Anyway, it was good but not the best I’ve ever read. But it does include this classic: “When a man refuses to take ownership of his own farts he loses all moral authority.” Not sure I’ve run across that anywhere else.
March 1, 2024
A few good humorous tales along with others that just were ok. Still always enjoy Keillor's work.
May 20, 2022
Mr. Keillor has said this is his best book. I don't necessarily agree, but parts of it are as enjoyable as any of his other Lake Wobegone novels. As other reviewers have noted, he seems to be winding down his fictitious world. His blend of gentle humor is punctuated with both deep philosophical observations and sharp political commentary. Just when I imagine some red-hat wearing hayseed is about to blow their stack, Keillor moves on to a different subject, as if to say, no big deal--it's just a joke. The title comes from an economic resurgence in Lake Wobegone, but as is the case for almost all booms, there's bound to be a bust. How will this impact Keillor's fictional self? Read and find out!
December 29, 2022
Boom Town: A Lake Wobegon Novel by Garrison Keillor finds the author returning to Lake Wobegon to attend a high school reunion. He ends up staying to refurbish an old cabin and renews friendships. The book is written in Keillor's down home folksy style. It is at times very funny, at other times it is insightful and at other times it is sad. It had been a long time since I had read anything about Wobegon or even thought much about the author. So, although the book didn't meet my requirements for a great book, it was a homey book.
April 16, 2024
I have loved everything Garrison Keillor has written —up to this point. I would rate all his other work in the highest way possible.
But like others have said, this book had overwhelming feeling that Mr. Keillor was preparing me for his departure and my favorite town, Lake Woebegone would be now more. And that would be—a natural thing.
What was both annoying and a strong departure from his usual, was Mr. Keillor’s regular return to the story of how he lost his virginity. It was not vulgar, but it was uncensored. And, you know what, the first telling of the event might have been okay. But throughout the story he returned to it, daydreamed about it and discussed it probably half a dozen times. There were other allusions to a girl “showering her tits” to him—-mentioned at least three times. I am no prude—-not at all, but in this case he used a literary sledge hammer when a feather would have done nicely.
As I had this particular book on audio, listening to his voice repeat the stories was a bit much, as my favorite thing is not listening to an 80 year old man talk about slipping inside a teenage girl—even if it is a fond memory of youth.
To be fair, there are classic and hilarious GK stories. I liked the metaphor of the cabin on the lake, but they weren’t enough to take away the bitter taste of Mr. Keillor not using a gentleman’s approach to his youthful rite of passage.
But like others have said, this book had overwhelming feeling that Mr. Keillor was preparing me for his departure and my favorite town, Lake Woebegone would be now more. And that would be—a natural thing.
What was both annoying and a strong departure from his usual, was Mr. Keillor’s regular return to the story of how he lost his virginity. It was not vulgar, but it was uncensored. And, you know what, the first telling of the event might have been okay. But throughout the story he returned to it, daydreamed about it and discussed it probably half a dozen times. There were other allusions to a girl “showering her tits” to him—-mentioned at least three times. I am no prude—-not at all, but in this case he used a literary sledge hammer when a feather would have done nicely.
As I had this particular book on audio, listening to his voice repeat the stories was a bit much, as my favorite thing is not listening to an 80 year old man talk about slipping inside a teenage girl—even if it is a fond memory of youth.
To be fair, there are classic and hilarious GK stories. I liked the metaphor of the cabin on the lake, but they weren’t enough to take away the bitter taste of Mr. Keillor not using a gentleman’s approach to his youthful rite of passage.
August 7, 2022
There was a roast on Comedy Central once, I don’t remember who was being roasted, but that’s not important here. One of the roasters was the legendary Norm McDonald. After he did his set, the next roaster told Norm that watching him do his set was like watching Henry Fonda pick blueberries (On Golden Pond reference). Norm replied, “I don’t know who wouldn’t love to watch Henry Fonda pick blueberries.”
Reading Garrison Keillor, or listening to him on the radio, is like watching Henry Fonda pick blueberries. And a lot of people love it. That being said, if you don’t already love him, reading this book isn’t going to change that. As a lifelong listener or PHC, I knew what I was in for, but that didn’t change the rambling nature of the reading.
All that aside, there are moments of beautiful and memorable writing that you’d only find in Keillor’s style. All in all he is a great observer and dedicated to the craft of storytelling of human experience. One of a kind, but not for everyone.
Reading Garrison Keillor, or listening to him on the radio, is like watching Henry Fonda pick blueberries. And a lot of people love it. That being said, if you don’t already love him, reading this book isn’t going to change that. As a lifelong listener or PHC, I knew what I was in for, but that didn’t change the rambling nature of the reading.
All that aside, there are moments of beautiful and memorable writing that you’d only find in Keillor’s style. All in all he is a great observer and dedicated to the craft of storytelling of human experience. One of a kind, but not for everyone.
October 21, 2022
Always enjoyable and undemanding. This installment seemed a bit more somber and endearingly Polonial with its regular tidbits of advice and reflections.
***
The best stories are the ones you've always known: that's my credo.
***
I wanted to be liked by young people, our heirs and assigns, our prosecutors in the court of history. On the other hand, why seek the approval of people who love horseshit music?
***
Women win arguments, but men win standoffs. Play for a tie.
***
Where you're from doesn't exist anymore and maybe never did and where you're heading for isn't there either and where you are is only good if you feel it's only temporary.
***
Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to realize is what you would have wanted had you only known.
***
Too many people spend money they don't have -- to buy things they don't want to impress people they don't like.
***
The best stories are the ones you've always known: that's my credo.
***
I wanted to be liked by young people, our heirs and assigns, our prosecutors in the court of history. On the other hand, why seek the approval of people who love horseshit music?
***
Women win arguments, but men win standoffs. Play for a tie.
***
Where you're from doesn't exist anymore and maybe never did and where you're heading for isn't there either and where you are is only good if you feel it's only temporary.
***
Some luck lies in not getting what you thought you wanted but getting what you have, which once you have got it you may be smart enough to realize is what you would have wanted had you only known.
***
Too many people spend money they don't have -- to buy things they don't want to impress people they don't like.
July 10, 2023
After many years in New York City, the author returns to Lake Wobegon and discovers it much changed with tech start-ups and new money. In addition several of his high school friends are dying. The book is not gloomy, however. It is full of warm interactions with acquaintances old and new as forces are working against change as well as for it.
The author's sense of humor reminds me of Mark Twain's talks. Keillor of course was a radio personality where I believe this sense of humor would work better, maybe as well as Mark Twain's did live. As I mentioned before, though the stories told are humorous, I don't remember them as I start the next paragraph. This is not (far from it) a pan on Twain's novels, even his travelogues. Keillor's work offers nothing by which those could be compared.
The author's sense of humor reminds me of Mark Twain's talks. Keillor of course was a radio personality where I believe this sense of humor would work better, maybe as well as Mark Twain's did live. As I mentioned before, though the stories told are humorous, I don't remember them as I start the next paragraph. This is not (far from it) a pan on Twain's novels, even his travelogues. Keillor's work offers nothing by which those could be compared.
August 23, 2022
Garrison is back, funnier than ever. He revisits Lake Wobegon as its famous author ex-resident who ends up attending the funerals of four friends or people he didn't really like but he knew them. I enjoyed the humor on just about every page as Garrison whips up some humdinger fantasies of millenials trying to make a comfy living and changing the culture, at least temporarily, of Lake Wobegone. He renews a friendship of an old girlfriend who is dying of pancreatic cancer. He reminisces of losing his virginity while skinnydipping with her. Garrison doesn't hold back on the playful parody of woke people and other politically correct capers. It's a winner, I tell you, but don't take my word for it. Try it out.
December 27, 2022
The author has not lost his special style of writing and humor. This book recalls material found in earlier books and is in a sense the author's Lake Wobegon obituary. Readers may now expect further articles and books from Keillor as he explores other themes and ideas. "Boom Town" is not the end of this author for it is a new beginning. The author's insights concerning his religious upbringing at first seemed like attacks; however, after further consideration they are warnings about the extremes that certain religious groups and mainline churches subject their followers. Pastor Liz is a breath of fresh air in her struggles to communicate with the post-modern world.
A special feature of "Boom Town" is the art work of Rodica Prato. Is it available as a poster?
A special feature of "Boom Town" is the art work of Rodica Prato. Is it available as a poster?
March 3, 2023
I was only able to get this book by borrowing an audio copy from the library. I am not a fan of "reading" a book by listening. The author was the reader.
Knowing that Lake Wobegon isn't a real place and the characters in it aren't real either, but knowing that the author was inserting in the novel his own real story made this read somewhat confusing for me.
I remembered that I had read the first Lake Wobegon Days book many years ago and I didn't like it. Boom Town is the 12th in the series and it didn't get better for me.
According to the person in my book club who choose it, it is supposed to be funny. Not my kind of humour however so I think I missed some things maybe.
I read the whole book. But I didn't enjoy the read. Glad it is over.
Knowing that Lake Wobegon isn't a real place and the characters in it aren't real either, but knowing that the author was inserting in the novel his own real story made this read somewhat confusing for me.
I remembered that I had read the first Lake Wobegon Days book many years ago and I didn't like it. Boom Town is the 12th in the series and it didn't get better for me.
According to the person in my book club who choose it, it is supposed to be funny. Not my kind of humour however so I think I missed some things maybe.
I read the whole book. But I didn't enjoy the read. Glad it is over.
October 31, 2024
Lake Wobegon has had a development boom of high tech and trendy businesses and Garrison spends a month there to attend funerals and fix up the lake cabin where he first fell in love, while his New York wife is hiking the Appalachian Trail.
The familiar setting, familiar characters, same outrageous, funny stories are vintage Prairie Home Companion and great fun. I think he spent too much time restricted to the censorship of radio and wants to make up for it when he's out from under that. Unfortunately for him, and for us, his best stuff is when he's working to radio censorship standards. His telling of his sexual exploits are cringe-worthy. The kind of thing that made me try to figure out how to fast forward him on Apple Car Play.
The familiar setting, familiar characters, same outrageous, funny stories are vintage Prairie Home Companion and great fun. I think he spent too much time restricted to the censorship of radio and wants to make up for it when he's out from under that. Unfortunately for him, and for us, his best stuff is when he's working to radio censorship standards. His telling of his sexual exploits are cringe-worthy. The kind of thing that made me try to figure out how to fast forward him on Apple Car Play.
May 1, 2022
When I read Lake Wobegon Virus, I loved the fact that Garrison Keillor had put himself into his own town that he made up - the fictitious Lake Wobegon. He's done it again. It's an ingenious idea and Keillor pulls it off. It is, of course, hilarious. But, it's also a little sad. It seems like Keillor is putting things straight, tying up loose ends, making amends. It seems like it's coming to an end. And, after all, he is 78. Then again, he's written 3 books in the last couple of years (including his wonderful memoir) and is on the road again, apparently loving it. So, I'm going to keep my fingers crossed and hope to see several more epics yet to come. LONG LIVE LAKE WOBEGON.
September 5, 2022
I’ve been a fan of Keillor’s Lake Wobegon novels since I read my first one however I was hesitant to tackle this because the previous offering in the series was an aimless slog. You read these for the characters not the plot but in the best ones, Keillor puts a solid kernel of a plot in place to center the characters on and he returns to that formula here. He also writes with a poignancy and melancholy that I think comes with the realization that at 80, his time for telling us these stories is drawing to a close. Here’s hoping for many more years, and books of the going’s on in my favorite fictional Midwestern town.
December 10, 2022
Imagine going back to your old home town after 40 years. Actually, I can imagine that, because my family moved shortly after I left for college, and I never went back.
You are greeted by old friends, enemies and first loves. You wonder what might have been, and you reflect on the new generation and the death of many old friends and places.
I was going to give 5 stars for just the right combination of insight, sadness and humor. BUT although the author mocks the simple people with prejudices, he can't stop himself from vilifying and spitting out the word republican. He seems obsessed with politics in a way that doesn't reflect well on him.
You are greeted by old friends, enemies and first loves. You wonder what might have been, and you reflect on the new generation and the death of many old friends and places.
I was going to give 5 stars for just the right combination of insight, sadness and humor. BUT although the author mocks the simple people with prejudices, he can't stop himself from vilifying and spitting out the word republican. He seems obsessed with politics in a way that doesn't reflect well on him.
September 6, 2023
Garrison's fake memoir, a farewell to Lake Wobegon and his beloved characters. He takes a fantasy trip back, to relive memories, say some funeral eulogies, and discovers his hometown is now a boomtown for hipsters and millennials. Confused, bemused, and finally affectionately amused, he accepts and embraces change. As should we all.
I find it hilarious that so many readers of this book were shocked to discover Keillor is a liberal, and despises Trump and his knuckleheaded right wing followers. Keillor has ALWAYS been a liberal. He's sung songs about, done many skits and monologues about his beliefs.
I'm glad the Trumpsters were so triggered. They deserve it.
I find it hilarious that so many readers of this book were shocked to discover Keillor is a liberal, and despises Trump and his knuckleheaded right wing followers. Keillor has ALWAYS been a liberal. He's sung songs about, done many skits and monologues about his beliefs.
I'm glad the Trumpsters were so triggered. They deserve it.
August 29, 2025
Keillor is one of my favorite writers and storytellers and in this book we find him back again in Lake Wobegon. The town is having a Boom at the moment and the author flies in to give eulogies for some departed former classmates. There was quite a bit of time spend on death and dying and things long gone but he did find time to bring the humor. I wouldn't say it's close to the best of his books but I still really enjoyed it.
I think Keillor is either "your thing" or it's a hard pass so while I would not recommend the book to everyone, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Keillor's brand of storytelling and humor.
I think Keillor is either "your thing" or it's a hard pass so while I would not recommend the book to everyone, I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys Keillor's brand of storytelling and humor.
June 13, 2022
I have enjoyed a number of the Lake Wobegon novels by Garrison Keillor. This one was about what I expected as the author pays a visit to his home town for the funeral of an old classmate and friend. There are many changes to the town, leading to many vignettes about all the characters who have arrived in town and opened many new businesses.
There is humor, as usual, there is poignancy and tenderness as well.
Overall, a good summer read.
There is humor, as usual, there is poignancy and tenderness as well.
Overall, a good summer read.
July 20, 2022
I have always loved Garrison Keillor and the PHC "family" in Lake Wobegon. This book combines his own ruminations about aging, having old friends die, being more limited, with his long-time fantasy "home town" of Lake Wobegon. The book deals with gentrification, odd "cures", economics of a small town, all within the fantasy town and his long-time PHC "family". Lovely book to read, particularly good for vacation reading.
November 17, 2022
Published on the heels of Keillor's autobiography, this (and probably the last) Lake Wobegon novel continues in the same vein, mixing fact and fiction. But that's how it's always been with Keillor -- Lake Wobegon was created from his past, and this book is a touching farewell to those times. It could also be titled, "Garrison Keillor: Unplugged", as he focuses his understated wit on all manner of things in modern life that need serious reality checks.
September 19, 2022
What fun to revisit Lake Woebegone as it works its way into modern living....or not. As usual, Keillor is clever with the true story-teller's pacing and whimsy. Along with the solid humor is a sweet tale of a life-long friendship, poignant and real. We read this to each other and enjoyed channeling Keillor's wonderful voice.
December 30, 2022
First audiobook I have listened to.
This is the quasi-autobiographical story of the author's return to a hometown that is all different from his youth. It is a memory of first love even as his current love waits for him to return home. He mocks both the Trumpist world as well as the wokeness of millennialists. It goes in many different directions, not his best work but decent for a long trip.
This is the quasi-autobiographical story of the author's return to a hometown that is all different from his youth. It is a memory of first love even as his current love waits for him to return home. He mocks both the Trumpist world as well as the wokeness of millennialists. It goes in many different directions, not his best work but decent for a long trip.
February 10, 2023
Not as much fun as the earlier books
I found parts to be depressing although I giggled once or twice while reading. But I did not feel as good about this book as I had felt after reading his novels in the past. Some sections seemed to verbose. I probably will not buy future publications from one of my favorite radio personalities a few years back.
I found parts to be depressing although I giggled once or twice while reading. But I did not feel as good about this book as I had felt after reading his novels in the past. Some sections seemed to verbose. I probably will not buy future publications from one of my favorite radio personalities a few years back.
May 24, 2024
This is a book by Keillor that contains stories and jokes. There is some humor, some nostalgia but on the whole it was a disappointing book. Keillor briefly discusses the reason that he was dismissed from Public Radio. From what I have read in newspapers the actual reason for his dismissal was more serious.
I cannot recommend the book.
I cannot recommend the book.
May 2, 2022
I've liked all his Wobegon novels and this didn't disappoint.
The cast of characters is lengthy, surprising in such a small town.
I could be wrong, but I felt that the both the story ends were tied up and Mr Keillor himself was tying up. I saw he's close to 80 yrs old.
The cast of characters is lengthy, surprising in such a small town.
I could be wrong, but I felt that the both the story ends were tied up and Mr Keillor himself was tying up. I saw he's close to 80 yrs old.
September 2, 2022
What an enjoyable book. Keillor's always had that ability to mix humor and satire, and still achieve eye-watering poignancy. Lake Wobegon is still a magical place for me. Notice my rarely given 5* rating.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews