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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2008 > September > 27 > Entry
Garrison Keillor can be so depressing…
Clint Bunsen is bursting with pride. As chairman of Lake Wobegon’s July Fourth celebration, Clint put Lake Wobegon on the map last year when CNN broadcast its parade all over the world. Hard to believe that some Lake Wobegon residents are grumbling about Clint Bunsen.
Devotees of the public radio program “A Prairie Home Companion” will recognize immediately this community and the characters that populate it in Garrison Keillor’s book “Liberty.”
The fictional town of Lake Wobegon, Minn., is at the center of Keillor’s radio world and this series of novels.
Clint Bunsen and his brother, Clarence, run Bunsen Motors. As “Liberty” begins, Clint is feeling depressed and unappreciated. About to turn 60, Clint thinks he has wasted his life. He reflects on all his past mistakes and squandered opportunities.
Clint is unhappily married to Irene. Brother Clarence wants to retire, sticking Clint with full ownership of their failing business. Recently Clint got the results of a DNA test and it convinced him that he is living a lie.
Fifty-seven million people watched Lake Wobegon’s Independence Day parade last year on CNN. Clint made that happen.
Keillor demonstrates how Clint’s triumph became his liability: “Success was the problem. You bring forth a triumph and people (1) resent you for it, (2) expect you to do it again, (3) watch for signs of pride on your part, and (4) await your debacle with cheerful anticipation.”
In Lake Wobegon, the Fourth of July also is known as Deliverance Day in memory of the Great Tornado of 1965. The town survived a frightening and absurd disaster then.
In a footnote, Keillor describes how during the tornado “a wooden crate containing 36 bowling balls lifted off from the Breckenridge train depot, flew for miles, split open and rained bowling balls down on Lake Wobegon — some splintered, some embedded themselves in soft ground, one bounced on the loading dock behind Ralph’s Grocery, flew a hundred feet in the air, bounced on Main Street and landed on the roof of the Sidetrack Tap — there was no warning at all, just small objects in the sky suddenly getting larger, and none of them touched a soul, though the town was packed with people.”
In Keillor’s last Lake Wobegon book, “Pontoon,” elements of farce, converged in a hysterical climax that was utterly charming and thoroughly ridiculous.
“Liberty” is a much darker novel. Clint’s feelings of hopelessness and disillusionment cast shadows over the proceedings. And Lake Wobegon seems overrun with more moody, angry people than usual.
As the town prepares for this year’s big celebration, there are ominous undercurrents that ripple with a sense of forboding and impending violence.
Fans of “A Prairie Home Companion” realize that Keillor cannot always be at the top of his game. Sometimes his tales fall flat.
If you seek Keillor’s sparkling humor, check out the previous book, “Pontoon.”
“Liberty” can be as depressing as wintertime in Scandinavia.
Vick Mickunas
Permalink | Comments (2) | Post your comment | Categories: booms and busts
Comments
By vick
September 30, 2008 11:38 AM | Link to this
Excellent point, beastmomma. I don’t have any extra copies of LIBERTY but I’m sure that I’ll get other duplicates in the future for more giveaway contests.By beastmomma
September 29, 2008 11:57 AM | Link to this
I wonder if GK is channeling his frustartion with current events into his characters. On another note, are you going to have more giveaways Vick?