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Waterloo Audiobook
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(3.05) - 59 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
“You’re in a slump.” Nick Lasseter’s boss is talking about his job performance as a reporter for the Waterloo Weekly, but he might as well be talking about Nick’s whole life. His current assignment, a profile of a legendary liberal ex-congressman, is in trouble even before the subject abruptly dies. When Nick grudgingly agrees to write a piece about a rising female Republican legislator, he stumbles onto a political fight in which the good guys and bad guys start to seem interchangeable. Then, when he gets involved with the late congressman’s confidante, it seems that not even the deceased can be relied on to stick to their stories. Some things never change: the moral ambiguity of practical politics, and the hilarious cluelessness of young men in love.
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"This is a local favorite. Waterloo is well-written and I love that it captures all the great Austin stuff- politics, music, bars and funny slackers. It's an easy read- reminds me of a Nick Hornsby. For the best-of Austin-lit, read it with "The Gay Place." "
— Candice (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“A funny, intelligent novel about people who are at odds and at home with each other, just like in a real town.”
— Washingtonpost.com -
“[An] intricate, ambitious debut novel…With clean, brisk prose, Olsson brings a specific, authentic sense of character, time and place to this story of Texas politicians and muckrakers.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Anna Fields gives another in a string of fine performances…Fields reads with a keen sense of character and a superb sense of timing. She is also adept at making each character seem charming, funny, or serious, as needed, without losing focus on the novel’s plot, thus making this Texas story a pleasant diversion that will surely appeal to most listeners.”
— AudioFile -
“This wry love letter to Austin (formerly Waterloo), Texas, is steeped in nostalgia for the halcyon years of the late 1970s, when the music was fine, the beer was free, and the city seemed awash in addled good humor…Olsson displays an enviably light touch and a deep affection for her hometown.”
— Booklist -
“Olsson’s dry irony, nuanced observations and enjoyably moody atmosphere build into a sophisticated portrait of her hometown…A debut to be enjoyed by idealists everywhere, and one bound to get Austin locals gossiping.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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A 2006 PEN/Ernest Hemingway Foundation Award Honourable Mention
Waterloo Listener Reviews
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" Set in a fictional Austin, Texas. Interesting depiction, but nothing special. "
— Frances, 10/22/2013 -
" The best and only novel about Austin, Tx I have read. "
— Juju, 8/12/2013 -
" It's an inside glimpse at the world of small-town politics and the journalists who cover them. Just like my life! It was great, even if the end was a bit ... unendlike. I can't complain. The writing is great and stylish, and the characters are simply real. "
— Mai, 12/9/2012 -
" Didn't finish. Sarcastic look at politics in "Waterloo" otherwise known as Austin. Didn't really like any of the characters, so didn't care if anyone got gumption and did something. Don't know if knowledge of Austin political players matters. "
— Sue, 8/15/2012 -
" Starts like a lion, ends with a whimper. "
— Laura, 7/31/2012 -
" This is a local favorite. Waterloo is well-written and I love that it captures all the great Austin stuff- politics, music, bars and funny slackers. It's an easy read- reminds me of a Nick Hornsby. For the best-of Austin-lit, read it with "The Gay Place." "
— Candice, 1/20/2012 -
" Starts like a lion, ends with a whimper. "
— Laura, 10/28/2009 -
" Set in a fictional Austin, Texas. Interesting depiction, but nothing special. "
— Frances, 10/19/2008 -
" It's an inside glimpse at the world of small-town politics and the journalists who cover them. Just like my life! It was great, even if the end was a bit ... unendlike. I can't complain. The writing is great and stylish, and the characters are simply real. "
— Mai, 7/20/2007
About Karen Olsson
Karen Olsson is a writer at large for Texas Monthly and a former editor of the Texas Observer. Her award-winning writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Baffler, The Nation, and other publications. She lives in Austin.
About Anna Fields
Kate Fleming (a.k.a. Anna Fields) (1965–2006), winner of more than a dozen Earphones Awards and the prestigious Audie Award in 2004, was one of the most respected narrators in the industry. Trained at the Actors Theatre of Louisville, she was also a director, producer, and technician at her own studio, Cedar House Audio.