Keillor's follow up to Lake Wobegon Days has his protagonist, John Tollefson, now a forty-something radio station manager living in upstate New York, return to Minnesota for a life-changing visit.
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"It was a good book. I laughed out loud in some areas, and skipped through others because it was a little dry. I could totally relate, since I grew up in Minnesota, and there were parts that made me think, "Yes! This is the reason I do such-and-such!" :) "
— Mitzi (4 out of 5 stars)
" Honestly don't know why, but this is my favorite Keillor book. I go back to this one over and over again... "
— Brett, 2/15/2014" Not as good as Wobegon Days, but still lots of classic Keillorisms. A good time. "
— Deb, 2/13/2014" My folks are from Minnesota. If you have a connection to the heartland you'll get it. If not, maybe not. The book reminds me of grandma. "
— Jake, 2/12/2014" I enjoyed this book for the most part. I believe it reflects a lot of "Midwestern" attitudes. It helped me to understand my father better. "
— Gwenda, 2/9/2014" While I love listening to the "News from Lake Wobegon" segment of Prairie Home, the wander tangential narrative loses something when it's written down. Maybe this book would have been more enjoyable in short bursts occasionally, instead of reading it like a novel. "
— Graham, 1/31/2014" Nobody knows Midwestern Lutherans like Keillor. You either get it or you don't...and I got it. Big time. "
— Richard, 1/28/2014" I got hooked on Keillor's voice via NPR and saw this at the library. Starts fast, paints a taut image of a kid with artsy sensibilities growing up in rural Minnesota. Injects Lutheranism without seeming preachy. Takes no risks with language but doesn't waste words either. You could probably do without the long middle section. Would recommend the audiobook read by the author vs. reading it yourself. "
— Brendan, 1/28/2014" Should be two and a half stars. It did what I needed, which was provide entertainment on the way to the airport and on a plane. I didn't find this funny, just droll. I was expecting more and hoping to enjoy it more. Oh well you can't win them all. "
— Du, 1/15/2014" I laughed all the way through this. It is a book that you really need to read out loud to someone so you can share the laughs. "
— Kim, 1/11/2014" I liked this book. It was wistful and charming. It is nice that there are still books which are soothing to read but weren't pigeonholed into some genre. "
— Jean, 11/5/2013" Whenever I need a good laugh, I turn to this book. Reading about the Dark Lutherans and the Happy Lutherans always puts a smile on my face. And also the way the narrator talks about his family is hilarious. "
— Stef, 10/24/2013" Fantastic book. So funny, sad and beautiful all at once. "
— Anton, 7/30/2013" I've always enjoyed academic satires, and part of this book is just that. It's also a book about leaving home and returning again. It reminded me of Steve Martin's sweet and funny romances. Parts dragged for me, but, in general, I found it a good read. "
— Marge, 7/4/2013" Very amusing. Would be really good listening to Mr. Keillor read it. "
— Barbara, 6/10/2013" Great stuff for people who love the Midwest, NPR, and were raised by lutherans. Keillor has a sweet sense of humor and has just enough self loathing to make you appreciate Mr Tollefson. "
— Brad, 6/9/2013" Confirmed my suspicion that Garrison Keillor is a hilarious teller of sentimental and poignant stories. Ultimately leans toward the sweet of bittersweet. "
— John, 5/6/2013" This was my first Keillor book. I loved it. He has a way of romanticizing the silliest things. "
— Keith, 2/28/2013" Listened to it on audio book, which was probably more entertaining than the read since I like his radio show. "
— Katy, 1/8/2013" He's either really, really annoying or a genius. I think it takes a particular type of Midwesterner to make this distinction. "
— Kamili, 10/8/2012" "A person could live his whole life exactly this way and be content. You wouldn't need to see the world, or be a raging success; it would be enough to be well loved." "
— Anna, 3/2/2012" light reading, but very amusing. forewarning: you have to appreciate Garrison Keillor and his midwestern humor. well-written and could make you a Prairie Home Companion convert. "
— Sherry, 11/16/2011" I absolutely loved this book! Without fail Garrison Keillor's accounts of Lake Wobegon make me smile. I would also like to add that I'm super excited to go see him live on Wednesday! :) "
— Jaime, 6/7/2011" If you like Keillor's monologues on Prairie Home Companion, then you'll love this novel. Many of the characters from Lake Woebegon are also characters here. "
— David, 4/24/2011" a pretty good story (like ralph's grocery in the famous radio show). the same human and funny feel as the letters, centered on a small college. "
— Jrobertus, 3/17/2011" Great stuff for people who love the Midwest, NPR, and were raised by lutherans. Keillor has a sweet sense of humor and has just enough self loathing to make you appreciate Mr Tollefson. "
— Brad, 3/9/2011" Very amusing. Would be really good listening to Mr. Keillor read it. "
— Barbara, 1/4/2011" Confirmed my suspicion that Garrison Keillor is a hilarious teller of sentimental and poignant stories. Ultimately leans toward the sweet of bittersweet. "
— John, 10/23/2010" This was my first Keillor book. I loved it. He has a way of romanticizing the silliest things. "
— Keith, 8/20/2010" I love Garrison Keillor! He makes me laugh out loud :) <br/> "
— Barbara, 8/31/2009" Nobody knows Midwestern Lutherans like Keillor. You either get it or you don't...and I got it. Big time. "
— Richard, 8/28/2009" I enjoyed this book for the most part. I believe it reflects a lot of "Midwestern" attitudes. It helped me to understand my father better. "
— Gwenda, 6/10/2009" Not as good as Wobegon Days, but still lots of classic Keillorisms. A good time. "
— Deb, 5/9/2009" I absolutely loved this book! Without fail Garrison Keillor's accounts of Lake Wobegon make me smile. I would also like to add that I'm super excited to go see him live on Wednesday! :) "
— Jaime, 4/5/2009Garrison Keillor is America’s favorite storyteller. For more than forty years, as the host of A Prairie Home Companion, he has captivated millions of listeners with his weekly News from Lake Wobegon monologues. A Prairie Home Companion is heard on hundreds of public radio stations, as well as America One, the Armed Forces Networks, Sirius Satellite Radio, and via a live audio webcast. Keillor is also the author of several books and a frequent contributor to national publications including Time, the New Yorker, and National Geographic, in addition to writing his own syndicated column. He has been awarded a National Humanities Medal from the National Endowment of the Humanities. He is the winner of nine AudioFile Earphones Awards, several of which were for his own books. When not touring, he resides in St. Paul, Minnesota.