This collection of short stories presents a diverse range of tales.

It contains several good ones that manage to engage the reader's interest and imagination. However, there are also a few that are truly weird, taking unexpected turns and presenting rather unusual concepts.

Among the characters, Dave and Morley stand out as the funny and likable ones. Their antics and personalities add a touch of humor and charm to the stories.

Unfortunately, the other characters didn't leave much of an impression on me. They seemed rather one-dimensional or lacking in depth, failing to capture my attention or make me care about their fates.

Overall, while the collection has its亮点 with the good stories and the engaging characters of Dave and Morley, the presence of the weird and less impressive elements prevent it from being a truly outstanding collection.

This is a truly lovely, pensive, and often relatable read.

As you peruse through the pages, you'll find that some stories resonate more deeply than others. However, what makes this collection special is that there seems to be something in it for everyone.

The author takes a 'slice of life' approach, which offers a refreshing and genuine perspective on the human experience. It delves into both the grand and at times, the small aspects of our lives.

The thoughtfulness put into these stories is palpable, and it's easy to understand why people are eager to return and hear more about the journey of the characters.

Whether you're looking for a heartwarming tale or a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition, this book has something to offer.

It's a collection that will leave you with a sense of satisfaction and a desire to discover more.

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I truly wish that I could assign this a rating of 0 stars.

What on earth was the purpose of this? I am leading my own ordinary and uneventful life. Why in the world do I have to read about someone else's experiences?

It seems rather pointless to me. I have my own set of daily routines and challenges to deal with. Reading about someone else's life doesn't seem to add any value or meaning to my own.

I would much rather focus on my own growth and development, and not be distracted by the lives of others. Maybe this is just not for me, and I would prefer to spend my time on things that are more relevant and important to me.

Overall, I am quite disappointed with this and would not recommend it to others.

Oddly sweet. This description seems to capture a unique and perhaps unexpected quality. It's a sweetness that is not quite what one might initially expect, yet it has a certain charm.

Very goddamn Canadian that's for sure. This phrase adds a sense of nationality and perhaps a touch of pride or distinctiveness. It implies that whatever is being described has a characteristic that is quintessentially Canadian.

It makes one wonder what exactly this oddly sweet and very Canadian thing is. Is it a food, a place, a person, or something else entirely? The combination of these two descriptors creates an image in the mind that is both curious and inviting.

Perhaps it's a maple syrup-infused delicacy that has a hint of sweetness that lingers on the palate. Or maybe it's a small town in Canada with a charm all its own, where the people are friendly and the scenery is breathtaking.

Whatever it is, it seems to be something that is worth exploring and experiencing. It has a quality that is both odd and sweet, and it's very goddamn Canadian, which makes it all the more interesting and appealing.

I have an unwavering love for the late and truly great Stuart Mclean. His stories have an allure that I can never seem to resist or get enough of.

I have delved into and either read or listened to every single one of the available Dave and Morley stories. In fact, I was so inspired by the character Morley that I even named my own dog after her.

Mclean's sense of humor is nothing short of hilarious and yet, at the same time, it is incredibly comforting. As you engage with his tales, you'll find yourself alternating between fits of laughter and moments of profound emotion that might bring a tear to your eye.

After experiencing these stories, you'll feel an urgent need to reach out to your family and friends, eager to discuss the tender hilarity that you've just encountered. What makes his work truly remarkable is the authenticity of his characters. Even the smaller, seemingly less significant characters are brought to life with such vividness and detail that they feel as real as the people in our own lives.

Without a doubt, Stuart Mclean's work deserves a perfect 5/5 rating.

**Title: Hilarious Short Stories**

Humourous short stories are like little gems that can brighten up our day. They have the power to make us laugh out loud and forget about our troubles for a while.

One such story could be about a clumsy detective who is always getting into hilarious situations while trying to solve a case. He might mistake a suspect for a friendly neighbour and end up having a long and awkward conversation with them.

Another funny short story could involve a group of animals who decide to hold a talent show. The results are predictably chaotic, with a singing frog that sounds more like a croaking toad and a dancing monkey that trips over its own tail.

These kinds of stories are not only entertaining but also a great way to exercise our sense of humour. They can teach us to find the funny side of life's situations and not take ourselves too seriously.

So the next time you're in need of a good laugh, pick up a collection of humorous short stories and let the hilarity begin!

Love this anthology of short stories.

Some of them feature Dave and Morley, while others introduce us to a variety of other interesting characters.

The stories are so diverse that they evoke a wide range of emotions. Some will surely bring a smile to your face, making you laugh out loud at the humorous situations and witty dialogues.

On the other hand, there are those that will leave a tinge of melancholy in your heart. They might touch on themes of loss, longing, or the bittersweet nature of life.

Each story is like a little gem, carefully crafted to engage and move the reader. Whether you're in the mood for a lighthearted read or something more profound, this anthology has something to offer. It's a collection that you can dip into again and again, always finding something new and enjoyable.

I'm a bit torn on this one.

I truly adored the Vinyl Cafe radio show, and I still do. I've made attempts to read the stories in book form before, and I reached the conclusion that they are far better when performed orally rather than simply read on the page.

However, I was curious about the early stories. I read the 10th anniversary edition of this book, and I was quite interested to read in the preface that some of the stories had been modified slightly to align with established storylines, for example, Dave's hometown. The preface also acknowledges how the stories and style have evolved over time, and I can clearly see that.

I don't love every single Vinyl Cafe story. But the ones that I really like can be described in a single word as "bittersweet". They make you contemplate some of the difficult aspects of life, yet are ultimately heartwarming.

I feel that most of these stories didn't quite strike that perfect balance. Having said that, I did enjoy some of the stories (such as Remembrance Day), but there were also a number that I didn't like at all (like The Pig).

So, I wavered between 2 and 3 stars and ultimately settled on 3 because I'm aware that these stories serve as the foundation for what came later. But if this had been my very first exposure to the Vinyl Cafe, I don't think I would have had the desire to read or hear more.

I firmly believe that there ought to be a regulation regarding making direct suggestions to colleagues. Something along the lines of “refrain from making recommendations unless you have known the individual for a sufficient length of time to understand their preferences.”

My massage therapist informed me that I should read this particular book. Subsequently, I discovered that her recommendation was based on the radio broadcast readings of the stories, rather than the actual text. This might have made a significant difference, as the text was… not in line with what I have been accustomed to reading over the past couple of years.

Perhaps this is something that I need to take into account on my literary odyssey: I should incorporate at least a little bit of “light” reading from time to time. I am unsure what the precise healthy ratio should be, but it appears that a zero to one hundred split is not ideal when it comes to reading material like Stuart McLean’s.

This is a compilation of short stories that lack metaphor. In essence, they are “plain tales from the hills.” They are all exquisitely written, and many of them offer clear insights into the everyday thoughts and events in the lives of ordinary people. They are humorous and can elicit outright laughter when read aloud in front of eager audiences—again, as it seems they were intended to be.

If this is your cup of tea, then get ready to enjoy. McLean has a YouTube channel filled with his performances. As far as a “reading for writing” exercise is concerned, there is a great deal to be learned from the way McLean constructs his little vignettes. I can understand how he achieved what he did, yet my own sensibilities recoil at the absolute simplicity and purity of his craftsmanship.

I prefer gritty, crunchy, complex, and far-reaching things. These stories are the antithesis of all those. However, I will say that the story “Polaroids” in this collection was unexpectedly dark. As I sit here penning this review, it is the only story that I can vividly recall in detail, but I suppose one out of a dozen is not too bad.

At any rate, this book diverted my attention from Ted Chiang’s Stories of Your Life, and Others. Because without fail, I will prioritize something that someone I trust tells me I must read. So please, be cautious with your recommendations. I have already had to donate a stack of Clive Cussler paperbacks this week, and I would rather not have to repeat that experience.

Katherine and I have a rather strong aversion to Stu's voice. It's not that we don't like the stories he tells, but his voice is just not to our taste.

When traveling through the small towns of British Columbia on our way to Alberta and back, instead of tuning in to the radio program featuring Stu's voice, we opted for a different form of entertainment. We read the comical anecdotes to each other, and sometimes, for a bit of fun, we even tried to imitate Stu's voice ironically.

I have noticed that once we are out of the box-store environment of Langley and the hustle and bustle of the big city of Vancouver, I find it much easier to relate to the stories. The tranquility and simplicity of the small towns seem to create a more conducive atmosphere for me to connect with the essence of the anecdotes. It's as if the distractions of the urban areas fade away, allowing me to focus more intently on the humorous and often relatable tales.

Overall, our decision to forgo listening to Stu's voice and engage in reading and imitating the stories ourselves has added a new and enjoyable dimension to our travels.

Perfect for a car ride.

I was truly astonished by the extent to which I relished short stories.

I simply can't write one even if my life depended on it, yet these particular ones were lighthearted and distinctly Canadian.

There was a profusion of realistic characters, with the older people being especially prominent.

I derived a great deal of enjoyment from them.

It was a pleasant surprise to discover how engaging and entertaining these short stories could be during a car journey.

The lighthearted nature and the Canadian flavor added an extra charm to the reading experience.

The realistic portrayal of the characters, especially the older ones, made them come alive in my imagination.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed these short stories and would highly recommend them to others.

They are a great way to pass the time and bring a smile to your face.

Whether you're on a long car ride or just looking for a quick and enjoyable read, these short stories are definitely worth checking out.