Rating: 
Summary: X-Rated Lake Wobegon
Review: I was looking forward to the homey, innocent stories so familiar to G.K. fans, but he must have thought that, by injecting soft porn in the guise of the main character's sophmoric interests, this would be a nice bit of "shock value". Well, this is one reader who thinks that it simply didn't work! "Coming of age" novels don't always have to be so explicite. I'll stick with the "old" G.K. works and his great radio monologues.
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Dissapoitment
Review: I've purchased Keillor's audio tapes for years. I haven't listened to the show lately and maybe I should. In the past I've found Keillor to be funny, poignant and nostalgic. This book, obviously autobiographical to some degree, is none of the above. It was not only a waste of money but a waste of time.
Rating: 
Summary: He's written better...but this is still good
Review: Without question, Keillor is one of our best "journalistic" literateurs. But this effort is a little thin in places. Too mawkish in parts. But read it, anyway. He's a national treasure.
Rating: 
Summary: Are the puritans missing the point?
Review: Several of the reviews mention that Gary's obsession with porn occupies too much of this book and that its depiction is too graphic. But if the porn wasn't so present and so vivid, would we recognize the influence it has on Gary's own writing style? In fact, it struck me that the readers who were so put off by all the porn didn't even mention how funny it was that Gary's sportswriting started to take on characteristics of the porn he'd been reading. Maybe they didn't find that aspect of the book as funny as I did. Or maybe they missed it entirely. Maybe it was too subtle. Maybe there should have been MORE porn, in order for them to get the point...I think this book is hilarious and charming, porn and all.
Rating:
Summary: lake wobegpm summer 1956
Review: Disappointing. Someone recommended At Home it Mitford, which I finished before beginning Keillor's latest book. Although I am a great fan of Keillor's short stories and We are Still Married, this one doesn't compare. Why all the sex talk--I, for one, am not interested in what makes him go! Mitford was so sweet and well-written- much better written. I'd recommend it rather than this last Wobegon book. Sorry! I'll reread the old books about Lake Wobegon. I didn't like K's last novel either. He's better with short stories about others.
Rating: 
Summary: Light-hearted and funny
Review: The major character in this humorous novel is named Gary, going through the early phases of adolescence in the summer of 1956. I remember 1956 with great affection, and could identify with the themes. Gary has an increasing interest in the opposite sex, but that interest collides head-on with his fundamentalist Christian upbringing, leading to feelings of shame and guilt. Meanwhile, he is closely monitored by his older sister who has appointed herself enforcer of his morality. The situations depicted are believable, mostly true to the time period (we owned an Underwood typewriter, a Mercury auto and a house with a porch, all closely similar to the ones on the cover). Keillor makes some good points about religion versus natural biological urges, but in some ways I felt it was a put-down of Christianity -- a more reasonable and wiser Christian than Gary's sister might have added balance. Nevertheless, it was one of the more enjoyable books I've read this year. I laughed often and greatly enjoyed the reading.
Rating:
Summary: What a talant.
Review: Fof many years I listen to his radio show. There is nothing better. The show is good, but the Lake Wobegon stories take the price. Mr. Keillor, all the best to you.
Rating:
Summary: Humor and Nostalgia
Review: I laughed out loud at some of the humor in "Lake Wobegon Summer 1956," particularly an episode involving the school principal. (I sopped up two tissues just wiping up the tears, I laughed so hard.) The humor is this book's finest feature and the main reason to read it. The storyline is swell, but nothing spectacular though Keillor does have a point to make - smalltown attitudes stiffle individualism, creativity and freedom of thought. The main character, a boy named "Gary" who likens himself to a toad, is a gifted natural storyteller. He seems clearly based on the author himself, so if you like Garrison Keillor you should enjoy "Lake Wobegon Summer 1956."
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely BORING!!!!
Review: This book is DEFINITELY NOT one of Garrison Keillors best. This book rambles on and on and was sooooooo boring I almost quit reading it many times! I've read and loved all of his other books but this was a big dissapointment. Save your money and spend it on another of his books. I decided to complete the book only to say that I read the whole, entire, boring piece and about the only good thing in the book was the ending! Hopefully GK will come out with something that is more Lake Wobegon again soon. I was disappointed, but will read more books of his in the future I'm sure.
Rating:
Summary: It's NOT a Lake Wobegon book, and that's not a BAD thing.
Review: One of Garrison's best, and most personal. The Lake Wobegon setting is unimportant. Other than The Whippets having a pivotal role in the story, the familiar names and places of Lake Wobegon are minor players. This is a wonderful coming-of-age story, often funny, often uncomfortable. Gary, the 14-year-old narrator, shares the angst that ALL typical boys of 14 go through, as well as a very unique angst of being a young teenager in a strict religious household and a less-than-popular kid. Of course it's full of fart jokes and sex...he's fourteen, for cryin' out loud! Leave them out, and you don't have an honest portrait! If you're expecting warm, fuzzy stories of how great small-town life is, steer clear. If you're not afraid of being a little uncomfortable as a 14-year-old is frank about everything that goes through his mind (and I mean EVERYTHING), then you'll enjoy this.
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