The Lager Queen of Minnesota

A Novel

De: J. Ryan Stradal

Narrado por: Judith Ivey

A National Best Seller!

“The perfect pick-me-up on a hot summer day.” (Washington Post)

“[A] charmer of a tale... Warm, witty and - like any good craft beer - complex, the saga delivers a subtly feminist and wholly life-affirming message.” (People)

A novel of family, Midwestern values, hard work, fate and the secrets of making a world-class beer, from the best-selling author of Kitchens of the Great Midwest

Two sisters, one farm. A family is split when their father leaves their shared inheritance entirely to Helen, his younger daughter. Despite baking award-winning pies at the local nursing home, her older sister, Edith, struggles to make what most people would call a living. So she can't help wondering what her life would have been like with even a portion of the farm money her sister kept for herself.

With the proceeds from the farm, Helen builds one of the most successful light breweries in the country, and makes their company motto ubiquitous: "Drink lots. It's Blotz." Where Edith has a heart as big as Minnesota, Helen's is as rigid as a steel keg. Yet one day, Helen will find she needs some help herself, and she could find a potential savior close to home...if it's not too late.

Meanwhile, Edith's granddaughter, Diana, grows up knowing that the real world requires a tougher constitution than her grandmother possesses. She earns a shot at learning the IPA business from the ground up - will that change their fortunes forever, and perhaps reunite her splintered family?

Here we meet a cast of lovable, funny, quintessentially American characters eager to make their mark in a world that's often stacked against them. In this deeply affecting family saga, resolution can take generations, but when it finally comes, we're surprised, moved, and delighted.

©2019 J. Ryan Stradal (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

“Stradal’s writing is sharp and funny while still managing to treat each character with warmth and respect...this is an ultimately hopeful and heartwarming story.... Readers will love watching these truly original characters overcome their challenges and take care of each other. An absolutely delightful read, perfect for a summer day with a good beer and a piece of pie.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

“This charmer of a tale is a loving ode to the Midwest, the power of persistence and, perhaps above all, beer.... Warm, witty and - like any good craft beer - complex, the saga delivers a subtly feminist and wholly life-affirming message.” (People Magazine)

"Delightfully intoxicating...will make you smile with its droll humor, and its poignant moments will stop you to reread and confirm that they are really that good. In beer-geek slang, Stradal’s novel is ‘crushable’ - easygoing, well-balanced, super-drinkable with tons of flavor...and will make you go back for more.” (USA Today)

“The Lager Queen of Minnesota is pure reading joy: warm, funny, informative, and full of heart. It is impossible not to root for Stradal's characters, who are so vivid, and relatable that you will miss them every time you set the book down; indeed, if you set it down at all.” (Jonathan Evison, New York Times best-selling author of Lawn Boy)

Best audiobook ever

This is not the sort of book I normally read or listen to. The title and description didn’t immediate captivate me the first few times I saw it. It just didn’t seem like a book I’d like.

I’ve never been that wrong about a book.

The audiobook version of The Lager Queen of Minnesota is the most entertaining and enjoyable book I’ve ever listened to.

Judith Ivey took a wonderful little story and made it both hilarious and heartbreaking. And hilarious again.

If you’re wavering, don’t.

At first it seemed cute and funny so I kept listening. Eventually, the pathos and depth of the story magnified until it broke my heart in the very best way.

I loved every second. Thank you to everyone who brought this into the world.

So many things to like about this unusual book.

The audible version of this book is fabulous. The narrator has the most wonderful mid Western accent it made me smile in occasionly laugh. It also made me very very curious about beer since I am not a beer drinker. And the story was fabulous and quite different. Highly recommended.

Fun Book

It may be my midwestern disposition but this book made me laugh out loud. I know these characters and the author did a great job of capturing dry and subtle humor and the right level of emotion.

I also learned a lot about beer!

Performer’s voice

I enjoyed this audiobook very much except for the performer. Her voice was so whiny, scratchy, cackling and hard to hear, I nearly stopped listening. Not all elderly individuals have the type of voices which she used.

Great refreshing read!

This book make me want to try all types of beer and I don’t even like beer much. I appreciated the accents of the narrator and the touching story of new beginnings and the importance of true social connections.

Captivating tale brought to life

A beautiful and engaging story, well told and brilliantly performed. I was sorry when it was over and will miss the characters, particularly as so perfectly realized by Ms. Ivey.

J Ryan Stradal did it again!

This book is everything you want it to be. A beautiful story and such well-drawn characters. Brought me to tears and made me laugh out loud. Wonderful narration too.

Outstanding! You will love this book!

Maybe it is because I am from Minnesota and many of the landmarks in this book are familiar, but I loved this book! The story and characters carry you on through the decades and you find yourself cheering on each sister, then granddaughter. Reminiscinate of early Fannie Flagg, you will love this book and I promise you will want to pour yourself a tall glass of beer when you are done!

What a joy! I didn’t want it to end.

Judith Ivey’s performance was spectacular. I loved her Edith voice and I was mesmerized by her ability to give so many unique voices to so many characters. The book was so enjoyable but her reading made it come alive and I was right there in that setting with those women.

Great book- great story

I enjoyed this book and the narrator really held my attention with her accents! I will be watching for more of her work.