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Life Among the Lutherans
Fans of A Prairie Home Companion will enjoy this book. Keillor's distinctive voice is there and the collection of stories reflect everything you've come to expect of this master storytellerwith some very funny spots in it. Keillor's pacing and command of every little detail of life in Lake Wobegon from pontoon rides to potlucks is bound to entertain you. Surprise you. And
...moreHardcover, 183 pages
Published
August 1st 2009
by Augsburg Books
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Having been raised Lutheran in a small Minnesotan town, I found the stories and characters in this book to be not only funny, but relatable in a very personal way. Keillor succeeds in the details - the rant about potato salad, the weird obsession with lawns, the long goodbyes - which were sprinkled subtly throughout the book. However, I was distracted by the lack of structure and organization within each chapter/story. The rambling quality of each story felt more like a lack of proper editing th...more
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I think if I had been a midwestern Lutheran, especially from Minnesota (said with a Minnesota accent), I would have appreciated this book more. I found parts of it very entertaining and funny, but scanned other parts to get to the end.
Another challenge in enjoying this book is that I am not a great fan of short stories. Essentially, this is a book of Lake Woebegone short stories about Lutherans, which probably would be more enjoyable to listen to on the radio.
These are th...more
Another challenge in enjoying this book is that I am not a great fan of short stories. Essentially, this is a book of Lake Woebegone short stories about Lutherans, which probably would be more enjoyable to listen to on the radio.
These are th...more
This is vintage Keillor, a collection of "News from Lake Woben" that talk more about Lutherans than others.
Very midwestern, these tell of the generosity, pettiness, joys, sorrows, and coping methods of hardy small-town people. Insights, especially for a transplanted Iowan, are found aplenty. Smiles, as loud as possible, will come to faces reading this fine set of vignettes of life on the prairie.
Very midwestern, these tell of the generosity, pettiness, joys, sorrows, and coping methods of hardy small-town people. Insights, especially for a transplanted Iowan, are found aplenty. Smiles, as loud as possible, will come to faces reading this fine set of vignettes of life on the prairie.
I've been reading this in bits and pieces over the last few weeks and it did make me smile. This is vintage Keillor focusing on the Lutheran Church family in Lake Woebegon with all their foibles, trials, and tribulations. It probably helps if you are Midwestern or Lutheran to really laugh at some of the pieces but anyone can still enjoy Keillor's humorous look at human nature.
A hilarious short story collection by Garrison Keillor. I've heard many of these stories on A Prairie Home Companion, but they're still funny to read and comforting in their familiarity. I think the 95 Theses is my favorite story in this collection, because it's both hilarious and shows great insight into the culture and lives of Lake Wobegone Lutherans.
Still in the works with it. I'm finding that I enjoy it more if I read just one chapter at a time and then let it seep in. These people are normal, everyday, honest people doing the best they can with what they have to work with. They are each one of us in many ways. I find it to be enjoyable and thought provoking. I have laughed, to be certain, at more due to it being so 'close to home', as well as feeling real empathy for those living each day. A good read.
I especially enjoyed the story about the organist. I love Garrison Keillor, but short stories are not what I normally like to read. I might have done better with a little at a time rather than straight through. Many of the characters showed up over and over, and that gave the stories continuity, which I appreciated.
Catherine Woodman
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Garrison Keillor is a genius at capturing the heart and soul of the northern midwesterner--and to be able to see the humor in in it. Droll, and dry and to the point. I would recommend it if you know what he is talking about it. Otherwise it just wouldn't be as much fun.
I loved this collection of short stories by Garrison Keillor. It was fun to reflect on my own Lutheran upbringing as well as the remarkable similarities between people of the midwest and the inland pacific northwest. If you're a fan of Keillor's radio show, you'll love the book.
Terrifically funny, especially if you are from the midwest. It sounds just like Garrison Keillor talking, the only thing is, I think he means it as fond humor towards Lutherans, but there is a little bitterness that kind of creeps out at the end. Maybe i am wrong but.....
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I love Garrison Keillor. This was just a gathering of his past stories that were just really disconnected. It didn't flow as a story and maybe I shouldn't have had that expectation. But I did. There was a sharp and bitter tone - especially in the last chapter.
This compilation of Keillor's musings from Prairie Home Companion focuses on the Lutherans of Lake Woebegon. Keillor's gentle satire is wonderful and his observations are pointed and full to wit. Some of the stories would make a great sermon.
Garrison Keillor is hilarious 99% of the time and then all of a sudden will throw in a line that makes you really sad. His ability to tell stories is second to none! Each chapter is its own story.
My favorite of Garrison Keillor. He had some updated reflections on Lutheran life of the 21st century; not just Ole and Lena jokes. Most of the best chapters were near the beginning.
This is my favorite work of his so far. I can't believe these people don't actually exist (or don't they really?). Judy Inqvist, the feminist Pastor's Wife, is my hero!
I loved this collection of Lake Wobegon tales with Garrison's gentle humor, especially the "Herdsman" which was a group of church ushers who went to compete in a national ushering competition. It ended in a stark fashion though in "95 Theses" which is one man's rant against his parents and his repressive Lutheran upbringing.
It's so funny I laughed till I cried. It was as if I relived my childhood at Bethel Lutheran Church in Cicero, Indiana. The Four Herdsman!!!
I needed something light, after reading too many books based on human suffering. This did the trick. He is so funny, and insightful at the same time.
A truly delightful, full of humorous stories as only Garrison can write!
Funny from cover to cover. True to life experiences we can all relate to.
Funny from cover to cover. True to life experiences we can all relate to.
If you like Prairie Home companion and Garrison Keillor's Tales from Lake Woebegone, you will enjoy these short stories!
All of Keillor's books are favorites of mine, but it helps if one is from Minnesota (I am) and in this particular book if you are Lutheran (I am). Laughing at oneself is healthy and the Lutherans sure have plenty to laugh at - You betcha!
Wendi
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Great collection of stories--I laughed! I cried! He has a great gift of capturing the human heart and soul.
I think you need to listen to this book with Keillor reading it, as on a Prairie Home Companion. It looses something translation with a silent reading.
It started out really humorous, then progressed to bittersweet and finished on a decidedly bitter note in the final chapter "Ninety-Five Theses." That being said, it was well worth reading and I enjoyed both the pitfalls and pleasures of Garrison Keiller's perspective on Lutheranism.
OK, I get it. Lutherans are repressed. What's the second joke? Couldn't finish this book.
Typical stories of Wobegon life and lutherans. Cute and quick read, if you like Garrison Keillor
Typical Keillor style - all except the last one that really threw me!!
Marybeth
added it
This is a brand new book by one of my favorite authors! It made me laugh out loud. If you have ever listened to A Prairie Home Companion on NPR, you can just hear Keillor speaking as you read it.
Living amongst Lutherans for years, Keillor nails it.
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Garrison Keillor (born Gary Edward Keillor on August 7, 1942 in Anoka, Minnesota) is an American author, storyteller, humorist, columnist, musician, satirist, and radio personality.
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“Some people have a love of their fellow man in their hearts, and others require a light anesthetic.”
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