Customer Reviews

Home From the Vinyl Cafe

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is not only a very good read, but a truly memorable experience. It made me almost want to pet cats, smile at my unruly 6-yr.old neighbour, and actually consider a neighbourhood block party. (Fortuanately the mood soon passed).

The characters in it are lovable and recogizable. The teenage daughter in it was very much like my own teenager, and it was with relief and interest to see how other families interact with such a character. (Often with trepidation!)

The stories really are quite wonderful----I don't often laugh out loud whilst reading, but I certainly did with this book----so much so, that my husband checked my night table to make sure my tea cup actually did have tea in it, and not something a little more adult like.

A great book---I want all my friends and family to read it;however I am insisting that first they lend me a prized possession of theirs to be returned only when I get my book back.

In "Home from the Vinyl Cafe," Stuart McLean gives us a rousing journey of one year in the life of Dave, Morley, Sam and Stephanie. From one Christmas to the next, we step in an check up on the family a few times each season, with such fantastic stories as "Dave Cooks the Turkey," and "School Days." Rousing, amusing and touching in turn, McLean's tales are as much a joy to read as they are to listen to.

Now, if you have no idea who I'm talking about, you're in for a real treat. Stuart McLean is a humourist who speaks on the radio twice a week with his wonderful Canadian prose short narratives, which always manage to make me laugh out loud. I've bought a few of his tape collections so I can listen to them whenever I'd like; he's that good. You follow the lives of this small family through their idiosyncratic - and wonderfully Canadian - trials and laughs throughout this book.

Stephen Leacock award winner McLean has put together a wonderful collection here, and if you can get a copy, do.

It is important to note that this book is not out of print, it is merely published in Canada. You could get it through a Canadian source with no troubles.

I can see why Stuart McLean is one of Canada's beloved storytellers through the warmth, humanity and humor of his stories. My favorite stories came early in the book, one of them being "Turkey" which starts off both the book and the Winter section. The description of the turkey before it was roasted had me and my husband howling with laughter. Another favorite is the one about the birthday party, especially the scene where Dave tries to frost the cake while it is still warm. My husband recently made the same mistake when he was frosting my birthday cake. I think there is enough depth to this collection of stories that most any one can come away with a favorite story or at least a favorite scene.

... a very ordinary family. Now, I don't mean ordinary in the boring sense of the term, quite the contrary. This is a collection of short stories spanning a year in the lives of a middle-class family. Everyone will be able to recognize themselves or others in these people to whom funny things tend to happen.

A quick read that will have you smiling (and giggling) on the bus.

You won't regret picking it up, and will look for McLean's other collections of stories about this wonderful family upon completing it.

Stuart McLean is a brilliant writer (and story teller on NPR). I love his books. And I love listening to his story-telling. His books make me smile, chuckle, and at times, laugh out loud. His books are pure joy; so is listening to his story-telling.

If you aren't lucky enough to be able to listen to Stuart McLean's weekly radio program ("The Vinyl Cafe") on CBC radio, then by all means pick up a copy of this book. You'll get to meet many of the quirky characters that populate Stuart's stories and have some great laughs along the way. "Polly Anderson's Christmas Party" is a favorite at our house.

There were many funny stories in this book, (Sourdough and Burd being among my favorites,) but also some good heartwarming life lessons. Like the story about the lottery winner Emil and his principles, and the overall theme of the everyday ups and downs of life and family relationships. I really liked how the complexity of feelings for family was conveyed. Great read!

I picked this up on a whim in a used bookstore because I needed something to read while waiting for my son to finish with an appointment. What a find! Mr. McLean has a terrific eye and ear for wry observations and dialog, especially concerning kids and teenagers. And then there is his wit, sharpened by the fact that he laughs most readily, ultimately, at himself. I haven't laughed this hard since James Thurber, Garrison Keillor, and David Sedaris.

I picked this book out of a list given to me by my 12th grade english teacher. After searching everywhere i ordered it off amazon and am very pleased i did. it is an amazingly light, funny story about a 'stock' family that is a great summer read. i recommend it to both guys and girls, great book!

McLean's book, 'Home from the Vinyl Cafe,' is a hoot from start to finish. It's a sorry day in Canada that this title is now out of print, it really is. McLean's a national treasure of humour.

If you do manage to find this title (I've got my fingers crossed for you), then beware - do not read this while on public transport or eating out. You'll be laughing out loud, long and hard, from the get-go.

The opening sequence is one of the funniest pieces of prose I've read in a long time; you will never look at Christmas dinner in the same light again.

McLean has an easy-going, conversational writing style that engages the reader immediately - he draws you in as a willing voyeur, anticipating the next hilarious calamity to strike the book's protagonist.

If you live in the north climes where it gets cold at night, the final sequence in the book will harken back your days of daring... ever stick your tongue to cold metal? Not so funny for the poor soul who dares such trickery, hilarious for those who're watching.

This book gets a big thumbs up - it's not a challenging read, but it's tremendous fun nonetheless!