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Pontoon  By  cover art

Pontoon

By: Garrison Keillor
Narrated by: Garrison Keillor
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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)

What listeners say about Pontoon

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

This darkly funny story is an excellent listen.

Would you listen to Pontoon again? Why?

It is very amusing. Keller takes you into the imaginary adventures in a delightful, down home style that keeps you glued to your IPOD! The more you listen the more the side stories add to this unique view of life on the parie.

What did you like best about this story?

Garrison Keilor's style of story telling.

What does Garrison Keillor bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

The characters he creates, his unique voice and dry humor.

If you could rename Pontoon, what would you call it?

Crazy Debbie's Derailed Marriage

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

A good one

I can't wait to listen to more books by this author. The story was both funny and touching. The multidimensional characters were realistic. The author's delivery seems dry, but lends nicely to the delivery of the story.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Keillor's a Treasure

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

Of course. The only thing better than seeing Garrison Keillor perform in person is having him read a book to you.

What did you like best about this story?

Keillor's almost monotone delivery enhances his wonderful sense of humor and gives so many real LOL moments. The ending should definitely be in a movie.

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite was not a scene; it was the conversations inside Barbara's head. Her mother may have been a wonderful character, but Barbara is the one I'd like to spend time with.

If you could rename Pontoon, what would you call it?

I wouldn't rename it.

Any additional comments?

I live near Lake Wobegon and love Garrison Keillor. I've followed him on the radio, on PBS, cassette tapes, CDs, books and now audiobooks. I think he and Fanny Flagg are two real American treasures and wish Audible had all of their books available. Please?

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Best read so far this year

A uniquely written story about finding your best life while you can. A irreverent but hilarious at the same time.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Classic Garrison Keillor

Incredibly well developed characters. Nobody's perfect. Nobody's horribly bad. Very dry and droll which only serves to emphasize the zingers that Garrison Keillor will drop in occasionally. Well worth reading.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

What a hoot!!

I’ve read this a couple of times and laughed out loud. Listening to Garrison Keillor read it just added to the entertainment. This book is a hoot!!

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Hating Hawaii

a great message for this Lutheran in Oahu who wants to go back to the Iowa he hates. Thank you, Mr. Keillor.

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  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars

stopped listening early

boring for a 32yr old, maybe older generation would like

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars
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    1 out of 5 stars

Most annoying voice ever

I wanted to persevere, as I thought the book would eventually capture me. Honesty, I couldn't remain awake long enough.

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  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Not the news from Lake Wobegon

Though parts of the story are familiar to this Prairie Home Companion listener, this story centers around the death of an elderly woman and contains many sexual references that would not be aired on radio. The quality of the audio is good and G. Keillor does a fine job, as usual, telling the story, but I found the content of the story atypical of the new from L. Wobegon.

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