A fresh and funny Lake Wobegon novel about a woman with a secret life
In Lake Wobegon lives a good Lutheran lady who is quite prepa... read full description
In Lake Wobegon lives a good Lutheran lady who is quite prepa... read full description
reviews
May 05, 2008
Mora
rated it: 
I love Garrison Keillor so he's getting 5 stars no matter what. So far this book is great, although the humor you get in his radio show doesn't come across the same way. I guess that's bound to happen when you change mediums.
The book is about carpe diem. Living your life to the fullest because life is short. It's based around this woman's funeral and how her family discovers this other life she lived where she was a free spirit. Traveling places with her boyfriend at the age of 70 or s More...
The book is about carpe diem. Living your life to the fullest because life is short. It's based around this woman's funeral and how her family discovers this other life she lived where she was a free spirit. Traveling places with her boyfriend at the age of 70 or s More...
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Oct 02, 2011
Joy H.
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This audio-CD of Garrison Keillor's novel, _PONTOON_, is priceless! I'm having such a good time listening to it. Garrison Keillor's dry delivery makes the story so funny that I doubt if reading the book could be more amusing.
Keillor's character development is delightful. His description of each character's outlook on life makes me smile broadly. As I listen, I recognize some of my own ideas about life and that makes it all the more fun.
Although I tend to avoid audio versi More...
Keillor's character development is delightful. His description of each character's outlook on life makes me smile broadly. As I listen, I recognize some of my own ideas about life and that makes it all the more fun.
Although I tend to avoid audio versi More...
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Jan 28, 2008
Collin
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I'm a huge fan of Keillor and his radio show, A Prairie Home Companion. My favorite weekly piece from the show is The News from Lake Wobegon. Keillor has written (I think) a few books on the fictional Minnesota town that lies somewhere between the Twin Cities and St. Cloud.
The stories are reflective, often funny and always very moving. Keillor is a fascinating storyteller, and his voice aches with nostalgia. When my aunt gave me Pontoon, I was excited to read a long story about the t More...
The stories are reflective, often funny and always very moving. Keillor is a fascinating storyteller, and his voice aches with nostalgia. When my aunt gave me Pontoon, I was excited to read a long story about the t More...
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Dec 12, 2007
Tammie
rated it: 
As a fan of Keillor's radio show I thought I'd give his novel a try. I'm also a Lutheran who always giggles at his references of "Lutheran church life."
The story has one of the best first lines:
Evelyn was an insomniac so when they say she died in her sleep, you have to question that.
How great of a starter is that? The story tells about a daughter coming home and finding her mother has died. She quickly learns her mother had a few secrets and instr More...
The story has one of the best first lines:
Evelyn was an insomniac so when they say she died in her sleep, you have to question that.
How great of a starter is that? The story tells about a daughter coming home and finding her mother has died. She quickly learns her mother had a few secrets and instr More...
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Oct 19, 2007
Annie
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From Booklist
When the angel of death came for Evelyn Peterson, she didn't know that Debbie Detmer would be back in Lake Wobegon for the first time in ages to be married, kinda, in a big lakeside ceremony on a pontoon boat with, among other things, a parachuting Elvis impersonator and a hot-air balloon—all on the day Evelyn's memorial, also at the lake, would be held. Of course, how could she know that? Nobody else in town knew Debbie was coming, except for her parents, and given how Walter More...
When the angel of death came for Evelyn Peterson, she didn't know that Debbie Detmer would be back in Lake Wobegon for the first time in ages to be married, kinda, in a big lakeside ceremony on a pontoon boat with, among other things, a parachuting Elvis impersonator and a hot-air balloon—all on the day Evelyn's memorial, also at the lake, would be held. Of course, how could she know that? Nobody else in town knew Debbie was coming, except for her parents, and given how Walter More...
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Mar 06, 2008
Laura
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If you are a fan of Garrison Keillor, or even if you've just heard of him before, listen to this book. Keillor does a wonderful job of setting up the "punchline" of this book. I don't want to give too much away and tell you what happens, but I will say it is both unexpected and exactly what you thought could happen. Keillor is a truly gifted storyteller and writer, which this book makes apparent. Read it for the flawed but loveable characters, the oddball plot, and the criticism of the
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Feb 15, 2009
Daniel
rated it: 
I've been listening to Keillor's A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION for longer than I care to admit (more than 30 years...is it possible?) and of course I've enjoyed hearing the tales of Lake Wobegon. I thought the CDs would be doubly nice -- a chance to kill my commute to work with some fiction, and be able to hear Keillor tell the story as if it's a long PHC show.
And while I've enjoyed reading many of Keillor's books in the past, as well as enjoying his show, this particular story didn't re More...
And while I've enjoyed reading many of Keillor's books in the past, as well as enjoying his show, this particular story didn't re More...
Nov 06, 2010
Caroline
rated it:
This is going to be one of those bullet point reviews:
-There definitely is something lost when Garrison Keillor's voice isn't involved. Part of me thinks that I would have enjoyed this more if I'd listened to it as an audiobook with Keillor narrating. I tried to recreate his voice in my head while I read it, but it just wasn't the same effect.
-There were a lot more references to sex than I expected. I don't mind that in books necessarily, but I think I realized that I like More...
-There definitely is something lost when Garrison Keillor's voice isn't involved. Part of me thinks that I would have enjoyed this more if I'd listened to it as an audiobook with Keillor narrating. I tried to recreate his voice in my head while I read it, but it just wasn't the same effect.
-There were a lot more references to sex than I expected. I don't mind that in books necessarily, but I think I realized that I like More...
Oct 31, 2009
Pontoon, by Garrison Keillor, narrated by Garrison Keillor, produced by Highbridge Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
We’re in Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, famous from Keillor’s Saturday night radio program “A Prairie Home Companion.” Two different events are occurring in Lake Wobegon. First, the funeral of Evelyn Peterson-well a small memorial program, for Evelyn Peterson. Evelyn died in her sleep, and was found by her daughter, Barbara, the next morning. Barbara, when going through More...
We’re in Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, famous from Keillor’s Saturday night radio program “A Prairie Home Companion.” Two different events are occurring in Lake Wobegon. First, the funeral of Evelyn Peterson-well a small memorial program, for Evelyn Peterson. Evelyn died in her sleep, and was found by her daughter, Barbara, the next morning. Barbara, when going through More...
Jul 18, 2009
Rachel
rated it:
My dad used to play Garrison Keillor tapes for our family when we went on our car trips. My brother and I loved them--the Living Flag story where everyone in town has to be involved to get it done but then nobody can see it so they have to take turns going up to the top of the hospital to get a look, the over-dramatized story of Jim the Ant, the African safari gone awry. Keillor's voice was soothing and strong. We clung to his deep breaths, not being able to wait for what was next.
I More...
I More...
Jun 12, 2009
Genie
rated it:
The story begins with Evelyn, an insomniac, has died in her sleep. An ironic end to an interesting life, Keillor begins to tell Evelyn's story. A spry 82-year-old, Evelyn led a secret life filled with romance and unusual adventures that even her family and friends had no knowledge of. Evelyn's daughter, Barbara, known in town as a hard drinker, finds her mother dead in bed. She begins going through her mother's things as she is trying to decide what to do first. Barbara comes across a letter h
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Jun 08, 2009
Susan
rated it:
You can almost certainly guarantee you're in for a good read when the opening line of a book is, "Evelyn was an insomniac so when they say she died in her sleep, you have to question that."
Garrison Keillor bills himself as a humorist and most of the book "Pontoon" lives up to that classification. Until you reach the penultimate 23rd chapter, that is. I don't think you have to be born and/or brought up in small-town Minnesota to wind up utterly sobbing and snorting More...
Garrison Keillor bills himself as a humorist and most of the book "Pontoon" lives up to that classification. Until you reach the penultimate 23rd chapter, that is. I don't think you have to be born and/or brought up in small-town Minnesota to wind up utterly sobbing and snorting More...
Apr 01, 2009
Antof9
rated it:
I remember watching the movie Prairie Home Companion, and being surprised that what I perceived as "wholesome" was really just "small town", and coming to the realization that "small town" does not equal "clean". So not only is there a surprising bit of crude in this one, but the beginning was also very reminiscent of that movie. However, it's also got a quirky charm, and was fun enough to keep me entertained.
I think one of the reasons I like More...
I think one of the reasons I like More...
Feb 18, 2011
Skyring
rated it:
Jumped on this one at the academic remainders shop. I also picked up a copy of The Frigate Surprise at half price.
Classic Keillor. Heavily focussed on personality as part of a community, his characters are all slightly apart from what is expected of them. Inwardly they rebel, outwardly they go to church and join the quilting circle. Count the days, count the lovers, families are not quite the tidy basket of spouses and offspring they seem.
His later books seem a little more ex More...
Classic Keillor. Heavily focussed on personality as part of a community, his characters are all slightly apart from what is expected of them. Inwardly they rebel, outwardly they go to church and join the quilting circle. Count the days, count the lovers, families are not quite the tidy basket of spouses and offspring they seem.
His later books seem a little more ex More...
Feb 06, 2012
Julie
rated it:
A word of warning - you have to like Garrison Keillor to like this book. His rambling, shambling style of prose can either lull you into a sense of calm wonder or drive you to drink. So, if you don't care for his particular brand of writing, don't read this book.
If, however, you are a fan of Lake Woebegon or have heard Keillor's radio show, then you know what you're in for. I personally loved this book. It is laugh-out-loud funny in the first chapter, and then alternates tea-spitt More...
If, however, you are a fan of Lake Woebegon or have heard Keillor's radio show, then you know what you're in for. I personally loved this book. It is laugh-out-loud funny in the first chapter, and then alternates tea-spitt More...
Jan 31, 2010
Oleg
rated it:
"Pontoon" is characteristic of Garrison Keillor's other Lake Wobegon works except for its novel length. On one hand, it's pleasant to get a longer slice of life in the town where the children are above-average, on the other hand diving deep into the lives of some of the characters in "Pontoon" started to become a bit of a downer. About 3/4s through the book, I began to think that I certainly didn't want to be a Lutheran of Norwegian descent living in the Northern-Midwest. Tho
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Dec 20, 2007
Janice
rated it:
a very dangerous book ... I fell out of bed laughing
a memorial service and wedding gone awry ... the perfect ending brought a group of Lutheran pastors from Denmark
makes me want to go to the video shop and rent the movie ... can't remember the name, but there was Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin (they're mentioned in this book as well)
a memorial service and wedding gone awry ... the perfect ending brought a group of Lutheran pastors from Denmark
makes me want to go to the video shop and rent the movie ... can't remember the name, but there was Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin (they're mentioned in this book as well)
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Jun 28, 2009
Andrew
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A schizophrenic little title, feeling somewhat like it was written by the lovechild of Jack Kerouac and Martha Stewart, Pontoon is a dryly hysterical story from NPR's very own Garrison Keillor. I'd never read anything of his before, only heard his radio show, and was surprised to find how smoothly the transition from one medium to the next went. The writing style is suited to his manner of speech perfectly, and it's easy to hear Garrison filling in for your standard inner narrator without much e
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Apr 13, 2008
Joshua
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Garrison Keillor has the knack of revealing the inner lives of very ordinary people in a way that makes them seem most extraordinary. After reading this book I found myself looking at my neighbors and workmates in a new light; wondering if they, too, could be hiding an interesting life behind the veneer they present others.
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Feb 11, 2008
Susan
rated it:
Anyone who loves Prairie Home Companion (radio show) will enjoy Pontoon. In typical Keillor storytelling tone, it meanders heartland style, rambling from unique personalities to oddball occurrences until it concludes in a hilarious ending that you should have seen coming but didn't! All that’s missing is a piece of rhubarb pie!
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Sep 21, 2009
Rod
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That was nasty funny. A horrendously interesting look at a small lake front community. I have very little faith in the human race after getting through that story...I'd like to tell myself that; its okay, its only a story. But people are people.
Keillor doesn't leave anything out of his tales. You get Ex-con elvis impersonators dropping out of the sky. The most romantic guy in town turns out to be a 400 lbs. shop clerk who is afraid of people. It tears a strip out of lutheran church goers More...
Keillor doesn't leave anything out of his tales. You get Ex-con elvis impersonators dropping out of the sky. The most romantic guy in town turns out to be a 400 lbs. shop clerk who is afraid of people. It tears a strip out of lutheran church goers More...
Feb 05, 2009
Linda
rated it:
This book was absolultely wonderful in the Audiobook format, as any fan of Garrison Keillor could attest. His deadpan delivery and his story-telling skills keep you coming back.
A lot of the familiar Lake Wobegon places and people are, of course, included. Pastor Inqvist of the Lutheran Church, Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery, the Chatterbox Cafe, and the Sidetrack Tap. And, of course, the ever-present reference to lutefisk.
I want to be Evelyn - not because she's dead an More...
A lot of the familiar Lake Wobegon places and people are, of course, included. Pastor Inqvist of the Lutheran Church, Ralph's Pretty Good Grocery, the Chatterbox Cafe, and the Sidetrack Tap. And, of course, the ever-present reference to lutefisk.
I want to be Evelyn - not because she's dead an More...
Mar 16, 2008
Adam
rated it:
A great read for anyone who likes a good yarn. Garrison Keillor is just a wonderful storyteller; his writing is great (this book has some of the best first lines I've ever read) and his character development even better.
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May 03, 2008
Rhona
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I love just about anything by Garrison Keillor. It seems he's been on a pontoon kick lately but that's ok. I love it when an author makes me laugh out loud, and there are plenty of times I did that with this book.
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Mar 31, 2008
Christine
rated it:
Anyone who enjoys Garrison Keillor and A Prairie Home Companion would enjoy this. Some of his other books have been dry and boring and I put them down and never finished them, but this one's a keeper.
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Nov 16, 2009
Monica
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I've been a fan of Garrison Keillor's News From Lake Wobegon series on NPR from some time. When I began reading this book, however, it was certainly enjoyable, but not one that necessarily calls to you from the bookshelf. While I did like the book as a whole, I will say that one chapter in particular - chapter 23 - makes the entire book worthwhile. Nearing this point in the book, I could feel the intersection of the characters and events looming and in this chapter everthing finally converged wi
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May 21, 2008
Fran
rated it:
Great if you are a Garrison Keillor fan. I was reading it in the car with my 3 year old grandson and I was laughing so hard that he started laughing too. That's high praise indeed.
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Apr 03, 2010
Ashley
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I was charmed by this book very quickly, but after the first couple of chapters I began to realize that charm was pretty much all that was holding this book together. This book is a portrait of a place, a small town, not a story. There's nothing really wrong with that, it's just not something I enjoy. In the same vein, it was also jarring for me the way Keillor jumps from character to character, telling each person's story and then moving on. There were characters I loved, and characters who bor
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Sep 12, 2011
Deb
rated it:
Over the years, I have only listened to Prairie Home Companion with half an ear, and I assumed it was a gentle bit of sweet down-home humor. If this book is any indication, I've been missing a lot of wickedly funny stuff, although I'm guessing that the radio show can't be quite as bawdy as this book sometimes is. In this book, a middle-aged alcoholic woman discovers that her late mother Evelyn led a racy secret life with a lover named Raoul. Even more shocking in Lake Wobegon, she was no longe
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Dec 30, 2008
Anne
rated it:
I am so sad to give this two stars, because I love Garrison Keillor and Lake Wobegon. This is the first book of his I've read, but I've listened to Lake Wobegon on the radio and on tape and cd for close to twenty years. The book was definitely okay, but it wasn't great. And, unlike most of what I have heard on the radio about Lake Wobegon, this involved a bit of sex and drinking, which I was not expecting. Not the light-hearted holiday read I was hoping for. The best part of the experience
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