LIBERTY

Garrison Keillor is the voice of the heartland, and his latest novel is laugh-out-loud hilarious and deeply touching—a little masterpiece of Americana. Keillor’s unique voice has such range that he can characterize many types of dialogue—from a woman's whispered thoughts to a rough-hewn farmer's drawl. Like Chaucer and Dickens, Keillor creates a community. We know these people; we are these people. Clint Bunsen is stunned when he’s ousted from his position as long-standing chair of the Fourth of July committee. CNN televised the parade the year before, and nerves are jumpy as the town goes about trying to put its best foot forward. Unpredictable conflicts and connections emerge in the community, where everyone knows a little too much about everyone else. Listeners will love this visit to Lake Wobegon, especially as performed by America's master storyteller. M.S.W. © AudioFile 2008, Portland, Maine [Published: NOVEMBER 2008]