Hope you aren't conservative in any way.

I generally love Garrison Keillor and have several of his novels which are fantastic. This is why I pre-ordered Boom Town. He has never made any bones about his political affiliation and that is just fine. We can all get along with everyone, can't we? However, in Boom Town, he takes it upon himself (especially in the later half of the book), to describe the "Trump Years" as the worst years of American history possible. He has full-on Trump Derangement Syndrome and created a character as a proxy to a large portion of the population to denigrate. He literally calls this person and his associates "Nazis". Really, Nazis? He brings up several groups (QAnon, Oath Keepers, etc.), none of which I have any association with or frankly anything in common with. He, however, can't get enough of blasting anyone and everyone he politically or religiously disagrees with.

The book does have some good gems in it and a number of times I did laugh out loud in my commute. It is, however, rambling, circuitous, and unnecessarily lengthy. I remember thinking at about hour 4, "How can this go on for 8 more hours?"

I suppose after nearly 80 years, a very public firing over inappropriate sexual misconduct, and three marriages, one can get cynical, bitter, and just not care who he bad mouths--even if it's a large portion of the population. I will be returning this book and sticking with the tried-and-true ones that I love.

4 people found this helpful

He hates Trump

i used to be a fan of Keillor but I won’t buy another of his books because of his negative view of Trump. I also thought his sex talk was overdone.

2 people found this helpful

Another great book by Garrison Keillor

Keillor returns to Lake Wobegon and finds it Woke and up-to-date, with a lot of his friends dead or dying. As always, his sense of humor is magnificent and the book is highly entertaining. It's often hard to tell what is autobiographical and what is pure fiction but that makes it all the more fun.

2 people found this helpful

nothing to do with the quality of the writing, wit

book is great however it stopped in the middle of chapter 17 and began to read the closing credits. I'm going to reach out to audible to fix this.

1 person found this helpful

A pretty good ramble

Garrison waxes eloquent, but sometimes it wears on one a little. Those 20 minute stories are just the right amount for me…but 12 hours? He is one of a kind in the subject matter of aging and change. I still can’t tell what’s true and what what isn’t and…ISN’T THAT GREAT,

1 person found this helpful

first book for me

it was good, I enjoyed it, thank you. I am not sure what more to say

Boom Town by Garrison Keillor

Boom Town by Garrison Keillor was a let down from the old Prairie Home Companion.

Classic GK

Pretty good, except beginning of last chapter. There is a reason Thoreau didn’t write erotic stories; no one wants to hear it. Same for GK.

Masterpiece

Garrison’s best writing, well delivered. A marble cake of cleverness, fun, and inspiration. Didn’t want it to end.

Exceptional

A very welcome addition to the story of Lake Woebegon. Full of bits and pieces of information avid readers have only guessed and dreamed about. The narration is like listening to an old friend talk on the phone, you just don't want to interrupt. Thank you Mr. Keillor.