In the small town of Tall Pine, Minnesota, at the Cup O’Delight Cafe, the townsfolk gather for what they call the Tall Pine Polka, an event i...
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reviews
Apr 07, 2009
Louise
rated it: 
Lorna Landvik has a special way of making small town characters come alive!!
From back cover:
"In the small town of Tall Pine, Minnesota, at the Cup O'Delight Cafe, the townsfolk gather for what they call the Tall Pine Polka, an event in which heavenly coffee, good food, and that feeling of being alive among friends inspires both body and soul to dance. There's the cafe owner, the robust and beautiful Lee O'Leary, who escaped to the northwoods from an abusive husband; More...
From back cover:
"In the small town of Tall Pine, Minnesota, at the Cup O'Delight Cafe, the townsfolk gather for what they call the Tall Pine Polka, an event in which heavenly coffee, good food, and that feeling of being alive among friends inspires both body and soul to dance. There's the cafe owner, the robust and beautiful Lee O'Leary, who escaped to the northwoods from an abusive husband; More...
Sep 01, 2009
Jeanne
rated it: 
Tiny Tall Pine, MN sets the stage for a tale of friendship, tragedy, and hope. It also sets the stage for a Hollywood film: Ike and Inga.
The focal point of this novel can be found in the gatherings at the Cup O’Delight Café. This is the heart and soul of Tall Pine and the home of the Tall Pine Polka.
By the way, the Tall Pine Polka is not a dance; it is a state of mind. It is the sharing of one’s talents and the celebration of life in the company of good friends. Is More...
The focal point of this novel can be found in the gatherings at the Cup O’Delight Café. This is the heart and soul of Tall Pine and the home of the Tall Pine Polka.
By the way, the Tall Pine Polka is not a dance; it is a state of mind. It is the sharing of one’s talents and the celebration of life in the company of good friends. Is More...
Oct 31, 2009
Diane
rated it:
Fenny Ness is cast as the main character in a movie that is shot in her hometown, Tall Pine Minnesota. But the important story is her friends and their love for each other: the cafe owner, Lee O'Leary, who escaped to the northwoods from an abusive husband; Miss Penk and Frau Katt, the town's only lesbian couple; Pete, proprietor of the Shoe Shack; Mary, whose bad poetry can clear out the cafe in seconds flat. Big Bill comes to town and Lee develos a crush on him while Fenny falls for him too.
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Apr 05, 2009
Ali
rated it:
This novel is a lovely big friendly book, lots of characters you care about, and feel instantly at home with. The story of the people of Tall Pine,Minnesota and that of the film people who for a short time become a part of Tall Pine is a real rollercoaster, funny, sad and dramatic. The story highlights (if it needed highlighting) just how stupid the whole celebrity thing is - that the whole world is obessed with these days. Those things which are really important are more basic and everyday than
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Oct 04, 2010
Marika
rated it:
Lorna Landvik, author of Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons, has written a book about the residents of Tall Pine, Minnesota. Main character, Fenny Ness, is perfectly content in her small town until she gets cast as the leading role in a movie being filmed in Tall Pine. Life for all the characters in the small town is turned upside-down by the film crew.
This book was light and fun. Just the kind of book that a reader should just breeze through but, for some reason, it took a real commit More...
This book was light and fun. Just the kind of book that a reader should just breeze through but, for some reason, it took a real commit More...
Oct 16, 2011
Laurel-Rain
rated it:
Tall Pine, Minnesota has a lot to recommend it: quirky townsfolk who share traits that can be defined as folksy, friendly, nosy, and any number of other adjectives. But what really connects the residents of this town near the Canadian border is their unique gathering place known as the Cup O'Delight Café, made famous for its delicious coffee made with a secret blend known only to its owner, Lee O'Leary.
We meet many of the residents in the opening pages, as they enter the café and order More...
We meet many of the residents in the opening pages, as they enter the café and order More...
Aug 02, 2008
Colleen
rated it:
I liked this book, but not as much as I really wanted to, and nowhere near as much as I enjoyed some of Landvik's other offerings. Though the cast of characters was initially interesting, they all seemed a little too eccentric as the novel progressed. The movie in a small town element was done better in the movie State and Main, and I for one thought there were too many subplots running throughout the novel which overcomplicated it all.
I did think that Fenny, Bill and Lee were we More...
I did think that Fenny, Bill and Lee were we More...
Mar 23, 2008
Sarah
rated it:
Every time I go into a bookstore or library I check to see if certain authors have released any new books (fingers crossed, oh please! Oh please!) So I was delighted when The Tall Pine Polka was released. I had gobbled up both Patty Jane's House of Curl and Your Oasis on Flame Lake and was hungrily awaiting another novel from Landvik, who has become one of my all-time favorite authors. As with previous Landvik works, Polka iss et in a small lakeside town in Minnesota. the majority of the charact
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May 17, 2011
Katie
rated it:
Highly entertaining. This felt like Prairie Home Companion meets chick lit. The plot is ridiculous, but that was fine with me since it seemed to be a book that's more about friendships and the zaniness of small town midwestern life than a convincing, compelling plot. I laughed out loud more than once. The author is great at illustrating small town Minnesota and its crazy characters. Perfect summer or weekend read. I'll definitely be picking up more of Landvik's work in the future.
Mar 16, 2009
Mary
rated it:
Author for 2009 Book Festival. Fits the woman's book group genre. Minnesota author. Set in northern Minnesota. similar to Ganni Flagg's Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Even minor characters are three dimensional. Includes Native American issues, gay couples, small town closeness. Friends and neighbors even though you really do not even like each other at times.
Jul 05, 2011
Raelynn
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This was the second Lorna Landvik book I've read (the first was Patty Jane's House of Curl). Landvik keeps that plot twisting, there's no way to predict the ending from the halfway point. The story takes place in northern Minnesota with jaunts to well known cities which was fun for me as a reader. There are a few plotlines going with Fenny being the main character in most of them, but it's not too much. Overall I really liked it and would recommend it.
Aug 07, 2011
Jen
rated it:
I was in search a light fun read & I found it here. I'm always a sucker for an interesting title and this Lorna Landvik didn't let me down. She throws several over-the-top quirky characters together on to a twisty turny (almost unbelievable) plot line. Beautiful escapism. Saved me from becoming too serious and down in the mouth about my reading :).
Jul 31, 2009
Kris
rated it:
Lorna Landvik does angst like no other writer. I seriously adore her. This was not the best of her novels but it was satisfying none the less. What I found appealing was the complicated characters. In addition, I found myself taken by surprise by the plot twists. No small feat when frankly you get to the point when you have read them all!
Dec 25, 2010
Kristin
rated it:
I liked this book, but I'm only giving it 3 stars because it is not nearly as good as other books Lorna Landvik has written. I felt there were too many character storylines going on that it was hard to get a good depth to any of them. All in all it was entertaining, but feel there could have been more had she not tried to intertwine so many characters and relationships. There was potential for it to be great, but in the end it fell a little short. I do want to read more from her, as I have enjoy
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Sep 10, 2010
Marisa
rated it:
Hot dish, bars, and leftsa if you have ever lived in the mid-west you probably know what they are. I got a kick out of those references in the book. I never would have known what they were until I lived in North Dakota a few years back. The story was cute, fun, and original with an interesting cast of characters.
Jan 23, 2012
Nmdb22
rated it:
I was expecting a better book, more like Billie Lette, Where the Heart is or Honk and Holler, Opening Soon - the plot and quirky characters have the appeal of Billie Lette's characters, but not as well done. still, it was a good read, entertaining and worth finishing with some surprises at the end.
May 12, 2011
Book Concierge
rated it:
I read this long ago, but somehow didn't put it on my shelf. I remember only a little about it, other than that there are quirky characters, and a small town with a tight-knit community. A movie crew comes into town and disrupts the dynamics; relationships are strained but all works out in the end.
Apr 13, 2011
April
rated it:
Simply stated, I had fun reading this book. The characters really do come alive. If you are from a small town, you can picture yourself in your own small town polka...that is until the book takes a weird dramatic turn. I assume the dramatic turn is supposed to appeal to our need for sensationalism, but the characters (as they were brought to life in the first part of the book), did not seem consistent in the second part of the book. In the end I felt let down. It was still a fun book. I ju
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Apr 02, 2010
Elizabeth
rated it:
Comments before reading: I recieved this book as a gift for secret santa exchange. I was not sure if I would ever read it but after reading the book reviews from fellow good readers I'm looking forward to reading it. I hope it won't be too disappointing. This will be the first book I've read from Lorna Landvik so I hope I like the style of writing.
Comments after reading: I did like this book and there were moments where I found myself laughing out loud. I did not like the start o More...
Comments after reading: I did like this book and there were moments where I found myself laughing out loud. I did not like the start o More...
Jun 23, 2009
Eliana
rated it:
Totally easy to read and enjoyable but some of the plot seemed a bit outlandish/predictable. Maybe it should be a 4-star, I don't know. It was perfect for what I needed though - an easy book to read while nursing that didn't consume me and make me want to read it all the time.
Mar 19, 2009
Ann
rated it:
Someone called this book "book candy" and that is an apt description. It was a silly, fun read, just perfect for today's climate. I couldn't take any more bad news so this book was great. It was a page turner and a very quick read.
Jan 26, 2011
Left off on page 108. Have picked this up several times but not managed to finish, so I am going to release this copy. I know another copy will someday come my way and I'll give it a go again, and come back here to report on the next attempt to read this book.
Sep 01, 2011
Victoria
rated it:
Landvik's books may be a little cliched and sometimes farfetched but the characters are always so quirky that you just wish they were some of your best friends to hang out with. Her books have always delighted me.
Jan 28, 2010
Torie
rated it:
Finally! I finished this book. At first it just pokes along and then *bam*! Something big happens and the book starts flowing from there. It's a great story with a bit of humor about life as it just happens to the vast majority of us all. It's a great read if you just want to read something casual and human.
Sep 29, 2011
Danette
rated it:
Fun book about making a movie in northern MN - a group of friends and a coffee shop - Cup O' Delight. Would love all of it! Would love a group to do the Tall Pine Polka with on Friday or Saturday nights!
Jul 25, 2011
Dixie
rated it: 
Not my favorite book by Lorna. Just didn't get into the story that much and thought it was kinda boring until about half way thru the book. Lots of typical small town characters. (Read N Feed book club selection!)
May 15, 2011
Kazza
rated it:
Way too many characters. I feel that I barely got to know anyone and in a way, they feel too perfect even with their quirks / flaws. I think that's because I barely got to know any...
I don't like the final twists. I could've done without them.
I don't like the final twists. I could've done without them.
Sep 30, 2007
Fionna
rated it:
I was at the library picking up Angry Housewives for bookclub and saw another Landvik book on the shelf. I enjoyed Angry Housewives so much the first time I read it, I didn't think it would hurt to read "The Tall Pine Polka" as well.
9/30 update: This book had fabulous characters! Landvik did a great job bringing out all their little eccentricities and idiosyncracies. I felt as if I knew every single one of them! The story however, although entertaining, seemed to loose More...
9/30 update: This book had fabulous characters! Landvik did a great job bringing out all their little eccentricities and idiosyncracies. I felt as if I knew every single one of them! The story however, although entertaining, seemed to loose More...
Apr 27, 2009
Nancy/nanckopf
rated it: 
One of my favorite Landvik books...love her character development. You feel like you know them well by the end of the book. Always something to make me laugh, smile, cry and ponder.
Sep 18, 2011
Nel
rated it: 
Had this been the first Lorna Landvik novel I read, I probably would not have ever read another. My suggestion is to skip this one and read "Angry Housewives ..."
