WLT: A Radio Romance

By: Garrison Keillor

Narrated by: Garrison Keillor

In the spring of 1926, the Soderbjerg brothers, Ray and Roy, plunge into radio by founding Station WLT (With Lettuce and Tomato) in order to rescue their failing restaurant and become the Sandwich Kings of South Minneapolis. For the next 25 years, the "Friendly Neighbor" station produces a dazzling array of shows and stars: Dad Benson, Wingo Beals, Slim Graves and his Blue Movers, chain-smoking child star Little Becky, and household-tips maven Lucille Larson (who repeatedly broadcasts in her underwear).

Brilliantly weaving together the real lives and radio lives of his characters, Garrison Keillor has given us a comic, poignant, and slightly steamy novel, full of romance, intrigue, tough business, and loose living.

©1991 Garrison Keillor (P)1991 HighBridge Company

Critic reviews

"The comedy is as broad as it comes, but it also has a depth that includes poignancy, particularly as it records the station's downhill slide. Humor and insight into the heart of raunchy America don't get any better than this." (Kirkus Reviews)

Great story

Have enjoyed this story dozens of times. Each time as good as the first. Love the epilogue where presumably everything turns out perfectly for Frank and Maria. Why not create a character and bless them with a great adventure?

I love Garrison and this did not disappoint

I could almost listen to him read the telephone book. This is a little different then his other books but I enjoyed it all the way through. his observations and commentary on people and are relationships is timeless. It is fiction and is meant to entertain and I was.

Not Lake Woebegone!

WLT is Keillor's best work. It's got great story structure, fantastic characters and character development, hilarious language, and quirky atmosphere.

Again and again

Ok
I admit it
This is probably my third or fourth time listening to this audiobook. To me, it is an absolute classic. To those who have tried to read Garrison Keillor, it can sometimes be hard to approach. Nonetheless, when the author reads it himself, the story absolutely leaps to life.

Very few, if anybooks I have read ( or have listened to) have both moved me to tears and caused me to laugh out loud. This is a gym that absolutely has to be listened to in order to be fully appreciated

PURE ENTERTAINMENT!

Just finished this last week and decided to listen again - wonderful stories told by a master story teller. I really felt like I was a firsthand observer of this old-time radio station and its unforgettable characters.