A follow-up to "Population: 485, Truck" chronicles a year in which Perry struggles to grow his own food, live peaceably with his neighbors, and sor...
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Jan 08, 2008
AC
rated it: 
This book resonated with me on too many levels to write.
I enjoyed Perry's self-depreciating wit and felt as though he found the story of a year in his life cathartic to pen. It seemed very personal and I appreciated his willingness to not only expose his faults and challenges, but to show confidence in his strengths and accomplishments.
It was inspiring to read about another man who isn't perfect either but honestly and truly tries to shore up his few shortcomings and face the wo More...
I enjoyed Perry's self-depreciating wit and felt as though he found the story of a year in his life cathartic to pen. It seemed very personal and I appreciated his willingness to not only expose his faults and challenges, but to show confidence in his strengths and accomplishments.
It was inspiring to read about another man who isn't perfect either but honestly and truly tries to shore up his few shortcomings and face the wo More...
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Mar 22, 2008
Paula
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Somewhat reminiscent of Lake Woebegon tales, I enjoyed this humorous memoir about life in rural Wisconsin. Written by a man who talks discursively about day-to-day life over the course of a year, the book reminded me of my own Wisconsin upbringing, which is what really captured my attention. I was more interested in his family, friends and romantic relationship and cared less about his restoration of an old International Harvester truck which provided the context in which his stories were told.
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Aug 04, 2008
Brian
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Michael Perry is one of the more gifted, erudite, charming, homey writers out there.
His original plan was to write a "year in the life" story about his two greatest loves -- gardening ("Seed catalogs are responsible for more unfulfilled fantasies than Enron and Penthouse combined") and his truck (a 1951 International Harvester that he's decided to repair, after it's been sitting on his lawn for far too long).
In that year, though, he met a woman... so More...
His original plan was to write a "year in the life" story about his two greatest loves -- gardening ("Seed catalogs are responsible for more unfulfilled fantasies than Enron and Penthouse combined") and his truck (a 1951 International Harvester that he's decided to repair, after it's been sitting on his lawn for far too long).
In that year, though, he met a woman... so More...
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Nov 02, 2011
Lauryn
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I have a penchant for the deep melancholy in life: sad songs, sad movies, sad books. So when a friend sent a copy of Michael Perry's Truck: A Love Story I deemed it, at first glance, to be a little too light-hearted for my tastes. Still, not wanting to disappoint the generous friend who thought of me when he read it, I cracked open the pages and am grateful for the insight my friend apparently had. Truck is not gut-wrenching nor heartbreaking, nor is it a sad commentary on the human condition
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Jan 23, 2009
Kate
rated it:
My friend Martha chose this for our book club. It is SO not Martha. She curls up with English authors and rereads 84 Charing Cross Road religiously. I didn't have high hopes for it for she was venturing into unchartered territory with this memoir, but I loved it! I told her so and she said, "I thought YOU would think it is hysterical". Yes indeed. Snarky, sentimental, insightful, thought-provoking and hilarious all at the same time. I would read parts to Rob out loud at night whe
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May 24, 2010
AdultNonFiction
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Teton Co Library Call No: 629.2232 PERRY
Marisa's Rating: 2 Stars
I really wanted to like this book better. I read it as part of April's radio show theme of "An emerging genre - books where the author chronicles an experience or goal for a year in the tradition of A Year in Provence or Animal Vegetable Miracle" -- I can't say I was all that impressed. Perry's theme of taking a year to fix up his old International truck, is what intrigued me at first. I liked the idea of More...
Marisa's Rating: 2 Stars
I really wanted to like this book better. I read it as part of April's radio show theme of "An emerging genre - books where the author chronicles an experience or goal for a year in the tradition of A Year in Provence or Animal Vegetable Miracle" -- I can't say I was all that impressed. Perry's theme of taking a year to fix up his old International truck, is what intrigued me at first. I liked the idea of More...
Aug 04, 2011
mampdx
rated it: 
Review Part 1: I have to confess, I skimmed the last half. Maybe if I had more time I'd have stuck with it, but it was overdue at the library, I had another book I needed to finish for my book club, and, frankly, this one was just not holding my attention. I usually enjoy books like this, and it got off to a good start - e.g., writing about the allure of seed catalogs - but after a while it started to feel like reading someone's moderately amusing blog. Perhaps you need to be a guy to apprecia
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Mar 08, 2011
Ruth
rated it:
For a variety of personal reasons (including the fact that I almost moved to within 40 miles of Auburn Falls, WI), I liked this quite a lot. Am interested in some of Perry's other books that actually fall into the creative non-fiction category, and frankly, given the interviews I've seen with him and what he says in his afterword at the back of the book, I'm not so sure this one doesn't belong there too. Some names were changed but not all - and I'm pretty sure the book follows a very close traj
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Dec 16, 2009
Amy
rated it:
Being from the same area where Michael Perry is from (we played New Auburn in sports) and also growing up on a farm, there are so many things in his book that I relate to. The thing that stands out the most is the way he can write a sentence and you can immediately envision exactly what he's talking about. He's a mix of an "aw shucks" country boy but throws beautiful and majestic words in there to add a more polished touch. So good!
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Jun 08, 2011
Alice
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My book club read this book in May and had a great discussion of it. The book was set up in months--starting in January and ending with December and the New Year. It took most of us till October to really get into the story. That's the thing-- it's not so much a story, but a compilation of thoughts and ideas Perry has throughout the year. There are three basic themes: fixing up a 1951 International Harvester pickup truck, planting a garden in his backyard, and developing a romance with a loc
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Feb 08, 2008
Amy
rated it:
Perry's writing is like a warm blanket on a cold winter night. For the most part, the narrative is continually engaging, although I admit to having to reread a few paragraphs to get the imagery straight in my brain. There were some genuine laugh out loud moments - not a mere chuckle, but a guffaw - where I actually found myself putting the book down for a second to enjoy the moment.
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Apr 24, 2010
Keith
rated it:
There are several books out there dealing with the restoration of old trucks, and the hazards of the love relationships related to the craft. If it needs be stated bluntly, let's begin with the following fact....none of these books is written for someone who doesn't dawdle with cars. If rusted bolts and the charming vulgarity that springs from dealing with them doesn't interest you, steer clear of this literary obstacle in the road. That's not to say the book isn't well written, and an absolu
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Jan 14, 2009
Cciufo
rated it:
Perhaps a bit sugary, but the bachelor in this story puts a lot of detail into single life: growing vegetables (with mixed results), cooking meals, keeping himself busy. The title says it's a love story, but it has its ups and downs, like real life.
And through it all, there's "the truck" - an old International that serves as not only the anchor to the story, but a metaphor for life. Readers seeking to look for accurate auto restoration details won't be disappointed. The More...
And through it all, there's "the truck" - an old International that serves as not only the anchor to the story, but a metaphor for life. Readers seeking to look for accurate auto restoration details won't be disappointed. The More...
Mar 06, 2009
Melanie
rated it:
This isn't exactly accurate by putting it under the "read" column. But ... that's the peril of the Riley dog. I was far enough that I consider it close enough to call. Nothing wrong with this book, but nothing even close to approaching Population 485.
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Oct 27, 2010
Deborah
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Perry writes hilariously and incisively about his community, his friends, himself, and life's little truths. I was surprised that I enjoyed the details about the truck restoration as much as I did. In fact, he writes about the truck more lyrically than he does about his lady love, which makes me wonder how that relationship is ultimately going to work out. His ruminations about himself and his reluctant ways with women got a little tedious, and I'm not sure that deciding whether one is truly
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Aug 19, 2010
Book Concierge
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Perry is the rural poet laureate of Wisconsin (in my humble opinion). His essays on life in a small town are poetic, tender, touching, and hilarious. I laughed out loud at his descriptions of “squirrel wars,” read aloud to my husband his paean to seed catalogues, and found myself misty-eyed when he waxes poetic about the love of his life (I’m talking about his wife, not the truck). Oh, and about the truck … he’s definitely in love with it, as well. It forms the frame for this work, which cover
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Mar 23, 2010
Marisa
rated it:
I really wanted to like this book better. I read it as part of April's radio show theme of "An emerging genre - books where the author chronicles an experience or goal for a year in the tradition of A Year in Provence or Animal Vegetable Miracle" -- I can't say I was all that impressed. Perry's theme of taking a year to fix up his old International truck, is what intrigued me at first. I liked the idea of a project book about using your hands. However, the book ended up being more of a
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Jul 13, 2010
Melissa
rated it:
A book about love - for his truck, family and discovering love. I want to resist gushing, but I can't help myself, this book is fantastic. How so?
I forced myself to read slower to savor every sentence.
It's the first time in a long time I have laughed out loud, numerous times, while reading a book. I've even nudged my sleeping husband awake to read clever passages.
It's inspired me to write, can stuff and putter.
The book has compelled me to check More...
I forced myself to read slower to savor every sentence.
It's the first time in a long time I have laughed out loud, numerous times, while reading a book. I've even nudged my sleeping husband awake to read clever passages.
It's inspired me to write, can stuff and putter.
The book has compelled me to check More...
Dec 22, 2009
Marissa
rated it:
This one should probably be more like 3 and a half stars, but I guess I'll round up. As someone who went to college in a rural midwestern town, I appreciated the nice reflections on life in a similar setting. The best parts of the book are when the writing has a certain stripped down emotional clarity about it that sneaks up and really gets to you and which reminded me a little of Scott Carrier's writing, which can have a very similar quality of profound simplicity (or maybe simple profundity?).
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Apr 17, 2008
Kendra
rated it:
This book is HILARIOUS! While I was reading this book, my housmates kept giving me funny looks because I was laughing out loud.
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Dec 22, 2007
Jeff
rated it:
Like Bill Bryson, Mike Perry has a gift for story telling and comedy. Not as good as Population 485 but a damn good follow up.
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Dec 31, 2007
James
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I loved this book. It's beautifully written, thought-provoking, genuine and sincere. I highly recommend it to everyone.
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Aug 05, 2009
Patty
rated it:
After finishing Population 485, from the same author, I immediately checked out this book from the library. I wanted a continuation of the laugh-out-loud descriptions of quirky, but real, small-town folk, mixed in with Perry's profound thoughts. So, mid-way through this book, I felt a bit let down. No sooner had this idea formed in my head, though, I was completely taken in by the month by month retelling of a truck's renovation and a developing love story. Perry has such honesty and sweetne
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Apr 12, 2010
Nicole
rated it:
I am going to say the thing no author of two books wants to hear: this book wasn't as good as the first. Having said that, I did enjoy it and do recommend it. I just also recommend that you read "Population 485: Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren Call at a Time" first. I like Perry's writing style and plan to read his third book, "Coop" next. For "Truck", don't let the subject of restoring a 1951 International turn you off. Perry's writing is really good and, oft
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Jan 29, 2009
Lorie
rated it:
Read this for a class but its been on my list for a loonnngg time and must say I found it very enjoyable! Memoir type story of a year in the author's life, in which in enters into a romantic relationship; restores the vintage pickup he's had most of his adult life; struggles to reconcile his dream garden with the reality of what he can do with his back yard; reminates on small town life, men, women, families, trucks, gardening, life and a variety of other topics. Quite a treat! Obviously a sugge
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Apr 29, 2008
Tasha
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I laughed out loud quite a few times when reading this book. Very quirky, smart humor.
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Nov 23, 2009
Bethany
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I was hooked on Michael Perry after Population 485; and Truck: A Love Story does not disappoint.
Perry's patented mix of intellectual inquiry, down-home sensibility, and wry musings are alternatively thought-provoking, moving, and hilarious. More...
Perry's patented mix of intellectual inquiry, down-home sensibility, and wry musings are alternatively thought-provoking, moving, and hilarious. More...
Sep 19, 2007
Damon
rated it:
Best non fiction book ive read in a long time.
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Mar 26, 2010
Laura
rated it:
Mr. Perry is quite adroit with the pen. He used words I've never heard of and I appreciated that.
However, he is prone to rambling and jumping from one topic to another and this irritated me. I found I was skimming paragraphs, only landing my eyes when certain phrases or words jumped out at me. That is no way to read a book.
If he could concentrate on the topic at hand, I would have enjoyed this memoir much more. Perry's observations on the world around him, from his belove More...
However, he is prone to rambling and jumping from one topic to another and this irritated me. I found I was skimming paragraphs, only landing my eyes when certain phrases or words jumped out at me. That is no way to read a book.
If he could concentrate on the topic at hand, I would have enjoyed this memoir much more. Perry's observations on the world around him, from his belove More...
Jul 11, 2009
Jarek
rated it:
Mike Perry makes two seemingly mutually exclusive activities—deer hunting and listening to NPR—seem somehow compatible in this quietly funny memoir. In the pages of this book, he describes resurrecting an old International pick-up truck, falling in love, growing his garden and volunteering at the local fire department in his tiny hometown. (“I am happy to live in a place where I can chuck a washing machine out my back door and no one judges my behavior unusual.”) I picked this book up and resolv
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