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Lake Wobegon #9
Life among the Lutherans
Based on Garrison Keillor's Lake Wobegon monologues, Life among the Lutherans is a collection of stories about the struggles of ordinary people in an imperfect world, the life and work of the pastor who leads them, and the church to whose high standards they aspire in the small town they call home.
The stories in Life among the Lutherans reflect everything Keillor fans have come to expect of this master storyteller. Some are familiar, including the quintessentially Lutheran "95Theses" from Lake Wobegon Days, others are new. Laugh out loud about the church directory filled with photos that are just plain awful. Share the moment when Pastor Ingqvist receives a leather-bound copy of his sermons. Keillor's command of every little detail of life in Lake Wobegon is bound to entertain, surprise , and make readers even those who aren't Lutheran - feel right at home in the mythical community where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."
The stories in Life among the Lutherans reflect everything Keillor fans have come to expect of this master storyteller. Some are familiar, including the quintessentially Lutheran "95Theses" from Lake Wobegon Days, others are new. Laugh out loud about the church directory filled with photos that are just plain awful. Share the moment when Pastor Ingqvist receives a leather-bound copy of his sermons. Keillor's command of every little detail of life in Lake Wobegon is bound to entertain, surprise , and make readers even those who aren't Lutheran - feel right at home in the mythical community where "all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."
192 pages, Hardcover
Published July 8, 2009
21 people are currently reading
434 people want to read
About the author
Garrison Keillor
279 books841 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews
May 10, 2012
I was inspired to finally pull this off the to be read pile when I attended a recent live broadcast of A Prairie Home Companion at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Garrison Keillor's stories of his fictional town of Lake Wobegon have been some of my favorite companions during my commute and journeys by car over the years. I've listened to some of my favorites multiple times, even doing a term paper on Keillor years ago while in school. I firmly believe that the Lake Wobegon stories work first and best as audio. So, it's always a bit strange at first to sit down and read them on them on the printed page or woven into the larger context of a full novel.
I've also got to admit that one of my favorite authors has left me cold on his last couple of fictional books concerning his fictional town. I found them too jaded and cynical and at odds when what I recall as being the best aspects of the Lake Wobegon stories.
This collection Life Among the Lutherans is a breath of fresh air after those other recent releases. Centering on the lives of his fictional Lutherans in town, this collection features some of the funniest, wisest and best observed stories Keillor had told not only about that particular denomination but about his fictional creation. It helps when two of the earliest entries are two of my favorites, "Pontoon Boat" in which 24 ministers head out on Wally's new pontoon boat (I love it, but it still works best when Keillor tells it. It's on CD in his second Lake Wobegon set. If you haven't heard it, you should. I'm old enough to have hard it on first broadcast and for years I had an unedited version of the story recorded off the air.) and "The Young Lutheran's Guide to the Orchestra" which asks the question of which instrument would our Savior play. There were some newer stories that I was unfamiliar with in the collection and it was nice to discover a few new gems.
Also in the mix are a couple of poems (that I believe were performed as songs on a PHC). While not quite as memorable as Keillor's "Obedience" or "The Finn Who Would Not Take a Sauna," they're still good.
As a collection, this will sit well on the bookshelf alongside Lake Wobegon Days and Leaving Home. Keillor is a great storyteller and this collection shows off some of his best.
Garrison Keillor's stories of his fictional town of Lake Wobegon have been some of my favorite companions during my commute and journeys by car over the years. I've listened to some of my favorites multiple times, even doing a term paper on Keillor years ago while in school. I firmly believe that the Lake Wobegon stories work first and best as audio. So, it's always a bit strange at first to sit down and read them on them on the printed page or woven into the larger context of a full novel.
I've also got to admit that one of my favorite authors has left me cold on his last couple of fictional books concerning his fictional town. I found them too jaded and cynical and at odds when what I recall as being the best aspects of the Lake Wobegon stories.
This collection Life Among the Lutherans is a breath of fresh air after those other recent releases. Centering on the lives of his fictional Lutherans in town, this collection features some of the funniest, wisest and best observed stories Keillor had told not only about that particular denomination but about his fictional creation. It helps when two of the earliest entries are two of my favorites, "Pontoon Boat" in which 24 ministers head out on Wally's new pontoon boat (I love it, but it still works best when Keillor tells it. It's on CD in his second Lake Wobegon set. If you haven't heard it, you should. I'm old enough to have hard it on first broadcast and for years I had an unedited version of the story recorded off the air.) and "The Young Lutheran's Guide to the Orchestra" which asks the question of which instrument would our Savior play. There were some newer stories that I was unfamiliar with in the collection and it was nice to discover a few new gems.
Also in the mix are a couple of poems (that I believe were performed as songs on a PHC). While not quite as memorable as Keillor's "Obedience" or "The Finn Who Would Not Take a Sauna," they're still good.
As a collection, this will sit well on the bookshelf alongside Lake Wobegon Days and Leaving Home. Keillor is a great storyteller and this collection shows off some of his best.
December 15, 2015
Loved all the words of wisdom, such as "Life is complicated, so think small". Or, "The pastor read the story of Jesus and the woman who was being stoned, and he talked about forgiveness and said that the refusal to forgive freezes us in the ice of the past and we become fossils of our own pride".
Also, thoroughly enjoyed all the stories, like when Pastor Ingqvist took 24 Lutheran Ministers on a 26 foot pontoon boat, or the Sons of Knute, while holding its annual Ice Melt contest, put a '49 jalopy on the ice skating rink, so everyone could guess the day it would go through the ice, for $1.
The stories are hilarious and endearing and in reading the book you are sure to find something of value to you.
Also, thoroughly enjoyed all the stories, like when Pastor Ingqvist took 24 Lutheran Ministers on a 26 foot pontoon boat, or the Sons of Knute, while holding its annual Ice Melt contest, put a '49 jalopy on the ice skating rink, so everyone could guess the day it would go through the ice, for $1.
The stories are hilarious and endearing and in reading the book you are sure to find something of value to you.
August 29, 2022
This was a really good beside book for light reading before going to sleep. A collection of monologues by Keillor from the Prairie Home Companion, they are short enough to finished just as you are beginning to nod off and light enough not to require a lot of thought. Keillor is a great humorist and student of the human condition and we can all recognize the characters represented on these pages. I highly recommend it – having obtained a few good guffaws out of it and having read enough of it which compelled me to share paragraphs with my bed mate – much to her difficulty as she was trying to read her own book.
August 21, 2018
Enjoyed at least something in most chapters, except for the "Ninety-five Theses" chapter, which was one long whine.
I don't think Keillor has much grasp of Lutheranism. At one point he says that, in their services, "Lutherans don't have the opportunity to stand up and kneel down," when a common complaint by non-Lutherans is that Lutheran services demand too much standing up and kneeling and otherwise moving when they're used to staying put. And if he meant it sarcastically, that did not come across. Still, a lot of his stories do remind me of visiting my relatives in southern Minnesota (none of whom were Lutheran). He hits enough right notes to remind outsiders of how things work there, anyhow.
I don't think Keillor has much grasp of Lutheranism. At one point he says that, in their services, "Lutherans don't have the opportunity to stand up and kneel down," when a common complaint by non-Lutherans is that Lutheran services demand too much standing up and kneeling and otherwise moving when they're used to staying put. And if he meant it sarcastically, that did not come across. Still, a lot of his stories do remind me of visiting my relatives in southern Minnesota (none of whom were Lutheran). He hits enough right notes to remind outsiders of how things work there, anyhow.
January 1, 2016
There are some classics here: for musicians, "The Young Lutheran's Guide to the Orchestra" is a highlight, but mostly, what's here, to my delight, is the News from Lake Wobegon.
I didn't know I was going to write about potato salad; I was intending to write about independence. But... every child has the right to real potato salad and to hold a sparkler in his or her little hand and wave it around. What magic, to trace your little arc of light against the dark. ...And is this not the meaning of our country, to take what is common and make something beautiful of it?
September 24, 2009
All of Keillor's books are favorites of mine, but it helps if one is from Minnesota (I am) and in this particular book if you are Lutheran (I am). Laughing at oneself is healthy and the Lutherans sure have plenty to laugh at - You betcha!
April 3, 2011
I love Garrison Keillor. This was just a gathering of his past stories that were just really disconnected. It didn't flow as a story and maybe I shouldn't have had that expectation. But I did. There was a sharp and bitter tone - especially in the last chapter.
December 8, 2010
Enjoyable, spot on humor. If you are a Lutheran and can't laugh at yourself, don't read the book. My aunt found it offensive. I thought it was great. Different generations, I guess.
October 23, 2012
so far, it's awesome and hilarious. last chapter was terrible and depressing.
February 9, 2024
Leaving Home, a Review
Life among the Lutherans, a review
I love Garrison Keillor. He has a real knack for telling a good story, and subtly weaving in ideas. He can make you think about something deep, just by listening to what you thought was plain tale about down-home people or everyday events. Basically he can be a little preachy without it usually coming off as such.
This can be good or bad, depending on the message. For Keillor it’s a bit of both. Sometimes he’s showing the importance of a small town, and how good it is to be known by those who live around you – something we’ve mostly lost today. But other times, he treats marital affairs and the breakup of families casually, making them feel okay. As long as you can detect and reject the latter, it’s good, lighthearted fun, along the lines of Wodehouse.
This also applies to the church and pastors in the town. They’re shown as a natural and good part of life. As he writes sermons and counsels people, the pastor has his own thoughts and motivations, sometimes aligned with the faith, and other times not. It was easy to recognize myself there. The rivalry between the Catholic and Lutheran church is hilariously caricatured.
But Keillor either doesn’t understand or deliberately misrepresents the faith at many points. Being gracious, he’s trying to explain how and why people of faith fail to live out their beliefs well. But now and then, I noted a darker tone of bitterness against the church. Guilt trips of “perpetual responsibility.” The hypocrisy of insisting on presenting one thing publicly when you live a different way privately.
And salvation was mostly found in the sentiment of fondness for the people in your town, not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Keillor’s is the faith of Fosdick, Peale, and Schuller, not of Luther.
Still, the social critiques are sometimes justified, and can help church people be self-reflective about their own flaws, without a harsh word given.
So, you’ll find entertaining stories here, which I recommend to the discerning reader. But stay alert to the messages lying beneath.
Life among the Lutherans, a review
I love Garrison Keillor. He has a real knack for telling a good story, and subtly weaving in ideas. He can make you think about something deep, just by listening to what you thought was plain tale about down-home people or everyday events. Basically he can be a little preachy without it usually coming off as such.
This can be good or bad, depending on the message. For Keillor it’s a bit of both. Sometimes he’s showing the importance of a small town, and how good it is to be known by those who live around you – something we’ve mostly lost today. But other times, he treats marital affairs and the breakup of families casually, making them feel okay. As long as you can detect and reject the latter, it’s good, lighthearted fun, along the lines of Wodehouse.
This also applies to the church and pastors in the town. They’re shown as a natural and good part of life. As he writes sermons and counsels people, the pastor has his own thoughts and motivations, sometimes aligned with the faith, and other times not. It was easy to recognize myself there. The rivalry between the Catholic and Lutheran church is hilariously caricatured.
But Keillor either doesn’t understand or deliberately misrepresents the faith at many points. Being gracious, he’s trying to explain how and why people of faith fail to live out their beliefs well. But now and then, I noted a darker tone of bitterness against the church. Guilt trips of “perpetual responsibility.” The hypocrisy of insisting on presenting one thing publicly when you live a different way privately.
And salvation was mostly found in the sentiment of fondness for the people in your town, not the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Keillor’s is the faith of Fosdick, Peale, and Schuller, not of Luther.
Still, the social critiques are sometimes justified, and can help church people be self-reflective about their own flaws, without a harsh word given.
So, you’ll find entertaining stories here, which I recommend to the discerning reader. But stay alert to the messages lying beneath.
September 3, 2020
This was the first book I have read by Garrison Keillor. Hailing from the Midwest, I have know of him and his show (Prairie Home Companion) for years, I even had the opportunity to see one of his shows (which ended up being one of the after show numbers that mainly showcased the musical talent. But I still saw him up on stage in the Fitzgerald Theater.
So when I looked around the local library and finding this book, I was intrigued. It was filled with short stories that brought up many happy and heading shaking memories of living in this area. I could relate to a lot of what the stories were based on and had trouble putting this book down. The one thing that really stuck out for me was the second to last entry, where a man wrote his grievances about growing up Lutheran and how it affects him in to his adulthood. It had a serious tone, which again, resonated with me. I am not Lutheran, but a lot of just living in this area, the thoughts and values of this part of the community rubs off on those living here.
It was a wonderful read and I look forward to delving into more of his works.
So when I looked around the local library and finding this book, I was intrigued. It was filled with short stories that brought up many happy and heading shaking memories of living in this area. I could relate to a lot of what the stories were based on and had trouble putting this book down. The one thing that really stuck out for me was the second to last entry, where a man wrote his grievances about growing up Lutheran and how it affects him in to his adulthood. It had a serious tone, which again, resonated with me. I am not Lutheran, but a lot of just living in this area, the thoughts and values of this part of the community rubs off on those living here.
It was a wonderful read and I look forward to delving into more of his works.
August 18, 2024
This was a quick read, a collection of some of Keillor's Lake Woebegon Days from his radio program "A Prairie Home Companion."
Most read as homilies to a simpler life, one that I can easily relate to given my small-town Iowa upbringing and the small-town Iowa life I now live. I grew up in a heavily Lutheran town, but I was not Lutheran, but that does not mean I did not eat my share of tuna hot dish (or tuna casserole as we call it south of the Minnesota border). I am Norwegian on my paternal grandfather's side, I did spend some of my childhood in bars with name's like Ole's Tap, where my grandparents drank Leinenkugel beer poured into tall glasses with a little salt thrown in to make more foam. I heard plenty of stories about old Norwegian bachelors.
This collection did make me long for the Prairie Home Companion radio show and remind me how much I miss Keillor's slow story-telling and his gravelly voice.
Most read as homilies to a simpler life, one that I can easily relate to given my small-town Iowa upbringing and the small-town Iowa life I now live. I grew up in a heavily Lutheran town, but I was not Lutheran, but that does not mean I did not eat my share of tuna hot dish (or tuna casserole as we call it south of the Minnesota border). I am Norwegian on my paternal grandfather's side, I did spend some of my childhood in bars with name's like Ole's Tap, where my grandparents drank Leinenkugel beer poured into tall glasses with a little salt thrown in to make more foam. I heard plenty of stories about old Norwegian bachelors.
This collection did make me long for the Prairie Home Companion radio show and remind me how much I miss Keillor's slow story-telling and his gravelly voice.
June 9, 2017
This collection of short stories was more contemplative for Keillor than the novels I have read. There were flashes of his humor and wit which made me smile. He does capture the essence of Lutherans, and makes the character foibles entertaining.
"Our public reputations depend on the opinions of the uninformed. Each of us is a book reviewed by critics who only read the chapter headings and the jacket flap."
"Kate came home from school last week and said, 'I'm changing my name to Kathy'. Kathy is a nice name, but why wouldn't any girl rather be a Kate if she could be a Kate?"
"The flute is the star of the wind section, the big shot. Jean-Pierre Rampal, James Galway, both millionaires. (How many millionaire bassoonists can you name real fast?) If you could learn how to blow across a tiny hole with your head tilted, it could be a good career move."
"Our public reputations depend on the opinions of the uninformed. Each of us is a book reviewed by critics who only read the chapter headings and the jacket flap."
"Kate came home from school last week and said, 'I'm changing my name to Kathy'. Kathy is a nice name, but why wouldn't any girl rather be a Kate if she could be a Kate?"
"The flute is the star of the wind section, the big shot. Jean-Pierre Rampal, James Galway, both millionaires. (How many millionaire bassoonists can you name real fast?) If you could learn how to blow across a tiny hole with your head tilted, it could be a good career move."
February 9, 2018
I miss Garrison Keillor. I wish he were back. I know that he has had some troubles (and I wish that he hadn't), but I still would like to hear that rumbling voice say 'It was a good week in Lake Woebegone...." and off we would go.
I grew up in Iowa, not that far from Keillor's Minnesota. We went up to Minnesota every summer on my dad's 2-week vacation to fish. I knew those people in Lake Woebegone. A whole bunch of them were my relatives.
So - I LOVED it when I found this little paperback book of "Lutheran" stories - all taken from his monologues on The Prairie Home Companion.
YOU WILL TOO.
I grew up in Iowa, not that far from Keillor's Minnesota. We went up to Minnesota every summer on my dad's 2-week vacation to fish. I knew those people in Lake Woebegone. A whole bunch of them were my relatives.
So - I LOVED it when I found this little paperback book of "Lutheran" stories - all taken from his monologues on The Prairie Home Companion.
YOU WILL TOO.
February 28, 2020
Garrison Keillor used his wonderful voice and his exceptional ability to create humor out of nothing when he had his own Saturday evening radio show on public (no commercials) radio. Each week he would give us a report on what is happening in a non-existent Minnesota town in the north country. For many listeners, his weekly reports enhanced the listeners on public radio. His voice and delivery were perfect for that kind of humor.
The book is a collection of some of the stories he created. His stories are, for the most part, OK. But without hearing the voice, it's not the same of hearing the stories.
The book is a collection of some of the stories he created. His stories are, for the most part, OK. But without hearing the voice, it's not the same of hearing the stories.
November 9, 2020
I was already a Garrison Keillor fan, and a Lutheran (still am to both) before I read this book but, I didn’t enjoy this book as much as I thought I would; with the exception of the updated 95 Theses. Now those I heartily enjoyed despite the slight discomfort their truth caused me.
The Keillor story telling remains some of today’s best and his occasional real life zingers still make me laugh out loud.
May not be his best but still worth a read.
The Keillor story telling remains some of today’s best and his occasional real life zingers still make me laugh out loud.
May not be his best but still worth a read.
December 3, 2020
Good, but not Garrison Keillor good. A collection of vignettes over the course of the year, the narrator never gets into coherent story telling mode. Some characters we get to know somewhat; others are introduced, then story over. The ending is odd--but no spoilers here. There are a number of loose ends among the various events/characters. Just somehow, this was a bit off and not as endearingly humorous as Keillor's work normally is.
December 13, 2020
This collection of some of Garrison Keillor’s tales from Lake Wobegon focuses (as the title suggests) on the particularly Lutheran character of the people of that well-known small town in north Minnesota. Some are familiar from earlier books, and many appeared as the centrepiece of A Prairie Home Companion. They make good heart-warming and humorous reading for cold, dark December days. The stand-out piece is without doubt very funny Young Lutheran’s Guide to the Orchestra.
November 21, 2021
I have loved Garrison Keillor for years and loved his Minnesota stories of Lake Wobegon, “where all the men are strong, all the women are good looking, and all the children are above average.” I have listened to him on NPR when he was the host of A Prairie Home Companion. I was even able to go see him when he brought his NPR program to Salt Lake City. This book is laugh out loud. He is a amazing storyteller.
June 27, 2020
I was not a fan of this book. I laughed in the first couple of chapters but not much after that. I don’t think the author has been around Lutherans much as much of what is written is not what I have experienced as a lifelong Lutheran. I really wanted to like the book. The last chapter is a long list of whining which I did not finish. I hope others enjoy it more than I did.
February 20, 2023
I’ve heard several of these stories before in other collections, but having lots of church-themed ones in one volume was especially pleasing. I love the dry humor and the fun of seeing common churchy habits and foibles drawn out in story form. Keillor can be cynical and isn’t a practicing Christian, but he is still kind in his view of the well-meaning hearts and faith of his characters.
April 24, 2020
As a minister, this collection of stories pokes light-hearted fun at Lutherans and their culture, providing some indirect insights into those who follow the Lord, imperfections and all. Recommended reading for Christians of all stripes.
November 1, 2021
Somehow I had not heard many of these particular stories on Prairie Home Companion all those years ago. I'd rather hear Garrison telling them but having them read to me by my husband was still a treat!
June 5, 2022
If you are a fan of PHC and miss the news from Lake Wobegon then Life Among the Lutherans is as good as it gets. Garrison is at his finest with this compilation of Lake Wobegon news. I've missed these citizens of Mr. Keillor's home town and it was great to reconnect.
September 21, 2023
5/5
A surprise gift sent to me by my 4th grade teacher. Growing up, I'd always enjoyed listening to A Prairie Home Companion with my mother. Keillor's stories are delightful and heartwarming. I thoroughly enjoy his books, and this was no exception.
A surprise gift sent to me by my 4th grade teacher. Growing up, I'd always enjoyed listening to A Prairie Home Companion with my mother. Keillor's stories are delightful and heartwarming. I thoroughly enjoy his books, and this was no exception.
March 6, 2025
This was a collection of little stories. Very much Midwestern conservative Christian. A lot of it was relatable. Some in a nostalgic way, some in a meaningful way, and some that caused a deep melancholy.
February 6, 2017
As usual, Keillor makes me smile and, sometimes, laugh out loud. His descriptions ring true and I feel like I know some of his people. Read and enjoy!
September 13, 2017
Enjoyable look at the life of the devout
November 22, 2017
Yawn festival. Not my kind of book.
September 1, 2019
Enjoyable but a collection of stories about Lake Wobegon is not the same as one of his books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 120 reviews