Secrets from the Vinyl Cafe by Stuart McLean 5 stars and some hearts

[Karin]

What can I say? McLean was an amazing humorist and there isn't a story I didn't like, although of course some are funnier to me than others. Don't be fooled by the cover or even the very start, this is not a graphic book, but it has some fun graphic-book style stuff at the very start. There are many classic Vinyl Cafe stories in her, but in writing the one that made me laugh the hardest was "Dad is Dying." Of course, some of the other really funny ones I have heard on audio CD so it's not because it is the only one that funny in the book.

The very best way to enjoy McLean is to hear him--he was a radio celebrity after all--but since most of his recordings haven't been released by the CBC, reading him is the next best thing.

There are some poignant moments, of course, but if you are looking for something to give you a laugh as a break from Real Life, this is a good choice.