Lake Wobegon Summer 1956

One of Garrison's best, and most personal. The Lake Wobegon setting is unimportant. Other than The Whippets having a pivotal role in the story, the familiar names and places of Lake Wobegon are minor players. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story, often funny, often uncomfortable. Gary, the 14-year-old narrator, shares the angst that ALL typical boys of 14 go through, as well as a very unique angst of being a young teenager in a strict religious household and a less-than-popular kid.Of course it's full of fart jokes and sex...he's fourteen, for cryin' out loud! Leave them out, and you don't have an honest portrait!If you're expecting warm, fuzzy stories of how great small-town life is, steer clear. If you're not afraid of being a little uncomfortable as a 14-year-old is frank about everything that goes through his mind (and I mean EVERYTHING), then you'll enjoy this.

Admittedly, this is a new "take" on the Lake Wobegon a lot of us have come to know and love. It is bawdy, in a pubescent sort of way. It is also filled with hilarious moments, the kind that had me combusting into chuckles at almost every page. I have truly not laughed this hard from a book in a while! The story is predictably sentimental, but that is why I read Keillor. It is subtly filled, however, with plenty of commentary on religion and the human condition. To me, this is his best offering since "Lake Wobegon Days."

Great, funny book. On September 10, Garrison did a reading here in New York, and after leading us in a ridiculous chorus of Great Balls of Fire proceeded to read the more salacious moments out of the book. It was the last time I felt pure unreserved joy! I put it aside after the events of the next day and have just recently picked it up - this is a very very funny tale - I actually had to stop bringing it on the train with me because when I laugh I end up shaking the whole row of seats. Then I have to stare at the cover or my shoes and pretend everything is ok - and that the convulsions are just supressed laughter! It's very embarrassing . . . why I should I be happy? But that just speaks to the power of this book - that through all that we go through, day in day out, Garrison Keillor, like a knife, cuts through the gloom . . . That's about as high a praise as I can give- Loads of fun especially if you like smart, though juvenile, potty humor!

Keillor's bittersweet semi-memoir will be a welcome addition to any long-time fan's bookshelf and also a great introduction to new fans. Some of the material is taken from his radio show, but he freshened it up and perfected it before serving it up again. Thank goodness we still have Keillor running around and reminising about small town America. We need all the humorists we can get.

Question: How many adjectives does it take to describe Lake Wobegon Summer 1956? Answer : 1956 This book is so terrific, so delightful and special and funny and endearing and ...well, you get the idea. As always, Keillor writes with a light touch and as always, gets into your bloodstream as fast as a shot of B -12. I can't even begin to impart to you the hilarity awaiting you inside the covers of Lake Wobegon Summer 1956. But, ponder if you will, our hero Gary's list of "... ten known categories of flatulence." Gary's summer 1956 is filled with characters you won't soon forget. His pious family,although smothering, are hilarious. And Gary's adventures in pornography are wonderful. Buy the book and read it! You won't regret it!