Rating: 
Summary: Nice vignettes, but weak plot
Review: I found that although this novel has a lot of nice vignettes and colorful characters, the plot was too weak for my tastes. Some reviewers said that the book is "slow-moving," though I think the of the novel as more of an atmospheric portrait of GK's character, "Gary" and of his town, the fictional Lake Wobegon. Even though several scenes & charactors were entertaining, I thought some others lacked entertainment value & could have been cut --- for example, at one point 14-year-old "Gary" writes short stories involving boogers and constipation. Now, I admit that it's realistic for a 14 year old to do, however, as a reader, I didn't find it compelling or entertaining. Also, the "shotgun" wedding at the end of the novel wasn't a really positive way to end the novel, either. Overall, I think GK paints a good portrait of his fictional character Gary, and of his life in Lake Wobegon. Despite this, the book didn't keep me turning the pages enthusiastically, and I probably could have skipped it. However, I'm not partial to any of GK's novels (I prefer his radio program & short stories), so if you're a die-hard fan of the other Lake Wobegon books, then you might want to give this one a try.
Rating: 
Summary: I Was Disappointed
Review: I have always loved Garrison Keillorbooks and audios. I have always beenable to share them with my grandchildren and always knew therewas nothing I had to worry about thatthey shouldn't hear.This is a total departure from the goodclean family entertainment of the otherbooks. Even though there are some really good parts it is ruined by thesmut that is inserted all through thebook. Now I can no longer share thisone with others in my family. I don't understand why they felt itneccessary to ruin a good book by making it R rated. I was very disappointed in it.Laura Robertson
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: Funny and Startling at the Same Time
Review: I really enjoy Garrison Keillor's writing, and this book is no exception. What I enjoyed most were his moments of enlightenment. For example, when he realized his father didn't like to be around people crying because he was afraid he'd cry himself, I got a real sense of this boy growing up. His ability to perceive things going on around him, yet not letting these things get to him in a negative way, prove he is a true writer in the making in that Summer of 1956. In addition, Garrison's character development is superb. As a reader, you get a real sense of what these people are really like. In some ways, you wish you could know the characters...then again, maybe not...hehehe. The startling aspect of this book is the amount of sexual content, but alas, this is a teenage boy we're referring to, so I took it as a reflection of the character himself, not as an attempt to shock. All in all, it's a good read. Not excellent, but definitely entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and Startling at the Same Time
Review: I really enjoy Garrison Keillor's writing, and this book is no exception. What I enjoyed most were his moments of enlightenment. For example, when he realized his father didn't like to be around people crying because he was afraid he'd cry himself, I got a real sense of this boy growing up. His ability to perceive things going on around him, yet not letting these things get to him in a negative way, prove he is a true writer in the making in that Summer of 1956. In addition, Garrison's character development is superb. As a reader, you get a real sense of what these people are really like. In some ways, you wish you could know the characters...then again, maybe not...hehehe. The startling aspect of this book is the amount of sexual content, but alas, this is a teenage boy we're referring to, so I took it as a reflection of the character himself, not as an attempt to shock. All in all, it's a good read. Not excellent, but definitely entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: A sheer Delight
Review: I started reading this book on a flight from Boston the end of September, 2001. There weren't many things to laugh about, then I read this book. The first half of the book had me laughing so hard my side hurt. I sat in Logan airport laughing uncontrollably. People must have thought I lost my mind. This is Garrison Keillor at his Finest. I loved it. Don't think this is lighthearted fluff either. The book reminded me of what it is like to be a boy in small town America. There was a real story of substance here. One of the things I enjoy so much about Garrison Keillor's work is that he is able to tell a story with an extremely important message while making you laugh. This book touched my heart. As I read the final paragraph there was more than one tear in my eye. Well done Mr. Keillor.
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: A witty reminder of childhood
Review: It is the summer of 1956. For fourteen year old Gary, it is the summer of baseball, rock-n-roll, and discovering women. Gary is growing up in a conservative Brethren family, where even a television is prohibited. But Gary managed to acquire a nudie magazine, which has taught him everything he knows about sex. His cousin Kate helped also. His under appreciated writing talent blossoms when he is asked to be the fill-in sports reporter for the local newspaper. This book traces the life of Gary during the summer of 1956. It is not a particularly exciting or thrilling book, more of a meandering journey as Gary develops and grows. To be sure, it is an interesting book, a quick read, and an enjoyable look back at childhood.
Rating:
Summary: Hometown Boy Makes Good Again, and Again, and Again...
Review: Keillor's bittersweet semi-memoir will be a welcome addition to any long-time fan's bookshelf and also a great introduction to new fans. Some of the material is taken from his radio show, but he freshened it up and perfected it before serving it up again. Thank goodness we still have Keillor running around and reminising about small town America. We need all the humorists we can get.
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