Pontoon

A Novel of Lake Wobegon

By: Garrison Keillor

Narrated by: Garrison Keillor

Length: 8 hrs and 21 mins

Publisher's summary

Garrison Keillor's latest book is about the wedding of a girl named Dede Ingebretson, who comes home from California with a guy named Brent. Dede has made a fortune in veterinary aromatherapy; Brent bears a strong resemblance to a man wanted for extortion who's pictured on a poster in the town's post office. Then there's the memorial service for Dede's aunt Evelyn, who led a footloose and adventurous life after the death of her husband 17 years previously. Add a surprise boyfriend and a band of newly arrived Mormon missionaries, and the gently rendered chaos is complete.

©2007 Garrison Keillor (P)2007 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

• Audie Award Winner, Narration by the Author or Authors, 2008

"There's plenty of fun to be had with the well-timed deadpans and homespun wit." (Publishers Weekly)

Stoic Scandinavians with Style

A hoot from start to finish... Lutheran Style! I have read the print version as well, but nothing beats Garrison reading it to you.

Loved it!

Great story as usual. At the ending, I was laughing so hard I like to have peed myself.

My first "Trip" to Lake Wobegon but I'll be back

If you could sum up Pontoon in three words, what would they be?

Funny. Sad. Great.

What did you like best about this story?

The characters of Evelyn and Barbara. Though I did not like Barbara's thoughts about her composer brother, she is an interesting character.

Have you listened to any of Garrison Keillor’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I am vaguely familiar with Garrison's Prairie Home Companion stories about Lake Wobegon and particularly remember one memorable

If you could take any character from Pontoon out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Though I enjoyed Evelyn, I think I would be embarrassed by her in public. Maybe Raoul ... I don't really know.

Any additional comments?

The subjects of sex and death are throughout the book. The subject of negative side of being a Lutheran also runs through the story. These three subjects might turn off a number of reader/listeners. Even so, while characters blame God for the

Woe - Be - Gone

I know the Wobegon stories have become classics. If I read this one instead of listening, I very well may have liked it. The narration didn't work for me. I typically listen in my car. Garrison speaks way to softly to hear while in the car with ambient sounds. And his cadence will entrance you - literally, put you in a trance. I did love that old lady!!!

I was expecting a bit more humor

I liked the book and I am a big fan of PHC but..
I was expecting a bit more humor. I was also surprised by the adult episodes.. I would not recommend this book as suitable for all ages.

Typical Garrison Keillor

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if the friend likes Garrison Keillor

Would you be willing to try another book from Garrison Keillor? Why or why not?

Yes, he is a good narrator of his stories.

What about Garrison Keillor’s performance did you like?

The almost comedic timing and interpretation given to the text.

Who was the most memorable character of Pontoon and why?

Barbara, she learns about herself, her family, and her community.

Way more depressing than usual for Keillor's work

Kind of like reading a novel-length obituary, with detailed descriptions of big problems such as alcoholism. It definitely has some gems, but the overall effect each time I listen is to end up feeling depressed, so it takes some resolve to pick it up again each time.

Description of Story is Wrong

After attending Garrison Keillor's last hosting performance on Prairie Home Companion, I mourned my loss by listening to this novel. It's everything I needed to remember about the human condition from this Prairie philosopher. His baritone voice made me laugh and cry as he told the story of Barbara whose life is instantly changed when she discovers her mother dead at home in bed.

The publisher's description of the story is shockingly wrong and is a disservice to Keillor's art. Please fire whoever wrote the summary and encourage them to go out into the world and find their true passion, but read the book first so they don't have unrealistic expectations.

Keillor has the ability to express compassion for human beings while simultaneously revealing their inner demons. I'm happy to have his writings to turn to now that he will no longer be offering up the weekly news from Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, where all the men are good-looking, all the women are strong, and all the children are above average.

Wonderful!

Absolutely delightful!! every word! Beautifully balanced with humor! Found it impossible not to laugh out loud listening to chapter 23! listened to that chapter twice!

Not Garrison Keillor's best.

Very unlikable characters and lead. Boring and cliche. Noting like his best works. Give it a Pass.