Small town Canada writ large!

In STORIES FROM THE VINYL CAFÉ, Stuart McLean has painted a vivid picture of Canadian life, culture, and values. It's reminiscent of Garrison Keillor's successful portrayal of life in small town America in LAKE WOBEGON DAYS.

There's no overarching thread or plot. Instead, it's a randomly assembled collection of fictional short stories, brilliantly distilled from McLean's astute observations as a skilled journalist. Take, for example, the father grappling with his teenage daughter's desire for a tattoo. Or the wife who can't figure out how to tell her husband she was caught shoplifting. There are also the difficulties of buying a jock strap, the lighter side of blood pressure machines in the local pharmacy, the man who gets in a frenzy over a neighbour he suspects of stealing his favourite shirt from the clothesline, and the young boys facing a moral dilemma after finding $2300 in an envelope in front of the local bank machine. And there are many more such stories.

If these sound silly, I have to admit I agree! But isn't this the perfect way to reflect the realities of our daily lives? McLean's mastery of storytelling and dialogue is spot-on, with a writing style that is witty, quirky, heart-warming, earnest, humorous, compelling, and utterly charming! I really should have read this years ago.

Paul Weiss

As far as short stories are concerned, I have an unwavering love for anything and everything that Stuart McLean has to offer.

His works have a unique charm that never fails to captivate me. Reading his pieces while being in some of the cities in Canada that he mentions in his stories adds an extra layer of depth and connection to the experience.

Stuart McLean has an undeniable talent for creating compelling characters that draw you in from the very beginning. His stories are filled with moments of true humanity, some of which are hilariously funny and others that are deeply somber.

These moments make you stop and reflect on the human condition, and they leave a lasting impression long after you've finished reading.

Overall, Stuart McLean's short stories are a true gem, and I highly recommend them to anyone who appreciates great literature.

Full of Delightful Stories

This article is truly a treasure trove of delightful stories. Each story is like a precious gem that shines with its own unique charm.

From heartwarming tales of love and friendship to thrilling adventures that keep you on the edge of your seat, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

The characters in these stories are vividly brought to life, making you feel as if you are right there with them, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

The authors have a remarkable ability to paint a vivid picture with their words, transporting you to different worlds and times.

Whether you are looking for a quick escape from reality or a thought-provoking read, these delightful stories are sure to satisfy.

So sit back, relax, and let yourself be carried away by the magic of these wonderful tales.

I'm even more convinced now that you can feel the most emotions after reading a story that doesn't describe any emotions of characters at all.

It's truly remarkable how such stories can have a profound impact on the reader.

When the author leaves the emotions unstated, it allows our own imaginations and experiences to fill in the gaps.

We project our own feelings onto the characters and the events, creating a deeply personal connection with the story.

This short stories book is a prime example of this.

Each story within its pages is a masterclass in leaving room for the reader's interpretation.

It forces us to think, to feel, and to engage with the text on a deeper level.

Whether it's a sense of joy, sadness, or even confusion, these stories have the power to evoke a wide range of emotions.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to read and explore the depths of human emotion through the written word.

It's a must-read for anyone looking for a unique and thought-provoking literary experience.

I just love Steward McLean's vinyl cafe stories! They are truly captivating and have a special charm that keeps me coming back for more.

One of them was the first English book I bought when I moved to the USA for an internship. It was a significant moment for me as I was starting a new chapter in my life. And ever since then, I have fallen in love with the family and their crazy stories.

The characters in the stories are so well-developed and relatable. You can't help but feel connected to them and their lives. The author has a wonderful way of bringing them to life and making you care about what happens to them.

The stories are also filled with humor and heartwarming moments. They can make you laugh out loud one minute and then touch your heart the next. It's like going on a journey with the family and experiencing all their joys and sorrows.

In conclusion, Steward McLean's vinyl cafe stories are a must-read for anyone who loves good literature. They are entertaining, engaging, and will leave you with a smile on your face and a warm feeling in your heart.

Some truly hilarious and easily relatable tales of Canadian life, be it in a small town or a bustling urban area, are presented here. The repartee and the sometimes awkward relational moments between the main character, Dave, his wife Morley, and their kids are a joy to read. They deal with real issues and offer realistic responses, which makes the stories all the more engaging.

For example, the incident where Dave forgets to tell Morley about his acceptance of a dinner invitation had me in stitches, just like the story of "Rock of Ages". The author has a great written sense of humour that shines through on every page. However, for me personally, the use of swear words doesn't really enhance the humour or add anything to the story. It's just a small note for readers to be aware of. Otherwise, this collection of short stories is an easy and portable read, perfect for those moments when you need a quick laugh or a light-hearted escape.

Location: Ontario, Canada

Rating: 8/80 for the "AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 BOOKS" challenge

I was initially quite worried that this book would turn out to be the Canadian equivalent of Prairie Home Companion. After all, it is essentially a compilation of vignettes that focus on the idiosyncrasies and minor hardships of small town white people. And in a sense, that's exactly what it is.

However, upon further reading, I discovered that McLean's stories possess a certain melancholy that gives them a unique charm. Additionally, the way they are structured is far more interesting than I had anticipated. It makes me truly curious to hear them in their original form, as radio stories.

I can only imagine how the spoken word would bring these tales to life, adding an extra layer of depth and emotion. The cadence of the narrator's voice, the pauses, and the emphasis on certain words would likely enhance the overall impact of the stories.

Perhaps listening to them on the radio would allow me to better understand the characters and their experiences, and to connect with the stories on a more personal level. It's an intriguing thought, and one that makes me eager to seek out the original radio broadcasts if they are available.

In conclusion, while this book may share some similarities with Prairie Home Companion, it also has its own distinct qualities that make it well worth reading. And the possibility of hearing the stories as they were originally intended to be heard only adds to their allure.

This was a truly very fast read.

I thoroughly enjoyed it a great deal.

I am well aware that a significant number of people might perceive it as dull. However, for some inexplicable reason, I discovered the stories to be quite heartwarming and comforting.

There is simply nothing quite like a touch of Canadian middle-class life to set the mind at ease.

I really relished the story titled The Jockstrap.

Dave is an outstanding character, and I would absolutely love to encounter a family similar to his.

Moreover, I am also intrigued by the idea of delving deeper into Stuart McLean's radio show.

I wonder if there exists a podcast dedicated to it!

This article has left me with a sense of warmth and curiosity, eager to explore more of what Stuart McLean has to offer.

Whether it's through his other stories or his radio show, I'm looking forward to further immersing myself in this world of Canadian middle-class charm.

Most excellent!

This book was truly a page-turner. I found myself completely engrossed in its pages, unable to put it down. I roared through it in just a few days, eager to see what would happen next on each page.

And when it finally ended, I was left feeling disappointed. It was as if a wonderful journey had come to an end too soon.

Stuart McLean is indeed a Canadian treasure. His writing is engaging, his stories are heartwarming, and his characters are vivid and memorable.

I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great read that will leave them with a smile on their face and a warm feeling in their heart.

It's a book that you'll want to read again and again, and one that will stay with you long after you've turned the final page.

Reading this truly brought back memories of the last time he was in Vancouver. His writing style is just like the way he speaks, which is utterly delightful. The stories he tells are a wonderful blend of hilarious moments that make you burst out laughing and then suddenly turn poignant, touching your heart in a profound way. It's as if through his words, I can feel the essence of being Canadian. I'm so very glad for him. It's wonderful to see that he has this talent for sharing his experiences and emotions in such a captivating manner. It makes me look forward to reading more of his work in the future and continuing to be entertained and moved by his words.

Stuart McLean was a renowned Canadian radio broadcaster.

My parents were his avid listeners and tuned in to his shows all the time.

He had a unique talent for telling stories that ranged from the hilarious to the deeply serious and even the heart-wrenching.

The book in question emerged from a summer series that centered around a second-hand record store.

Dave & Morley, a charming couple, are the protagonists in many of the short stories.

This particular book was a national bestseller and was part of a series of Vinyl Café books.

Four of these books won prestigious awards for humour, including three Stephen Leacock Medals for Humour and one Canadian Author’s Association Jubilee Award.

McLean was also honored with the Officer of the Order of Canada for his significant contributions to Canadian culture as a storyteller.

The book came highly recommended, but unfortunately, I wasn't overly enamoured of it.

As someone had told me, with short stories, you might find some that resonate with you.

I did manage to find a few that I liked and found funny, while others were just eye-rollers or made me groan.

There were also some that were quite sad, and a large number that simply didn't hold my interest.

Many of the stories were quite believable and could easily happen to real people.

My personal favourites were the ones about the elderly driver (which made me cringe) and the skunks (please, never in my backyard!).

It's safe to say that this book isn't going to make it onto my "top 10 of 2021" list, but then again, who knows? Maybe you have a completely different sense of humour than I do.

Stories From The Vinyl Cafe is an enchanting collection that consists of eighteen captivating tales penned by Stuart Mclean.

It skillfully strikes a remarkable balance between delving into serious subjects and presenting heartwarming stories. These range from the pain of losing pets, the intricacies of family relationships and marriage, to the challenges of overcoming fear. There are also humorous accounts like those of stinky skunks and a mom who was caught stealing sausage from the grocery store. Additionally, it explores the importance of doing the right thing and remembering the Canadian soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for us.

One of the memorable quotes from the book is, "Everyone should get to drive a car with everything they own piled around them. All alone. Heading towards the horizon. Driving into the future".

Although these stories are relatively short, they are brimming with intense emotion and a rich tapestry of authentic Canadian culture. This collection is truly a page-turner that left me with an insatiable desire to read more of Mclean's outstanding work.

It offers a unique and engaging reading experience that is sure to resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds.