I don't know whether I've changed or Keillor, but I didn't get as much pleasure out of this collection of Lake Wobegon vignettes as I have from other books. As ever with collections like this I'm probably more reflecting on the last few stories because I stretch my reading over several months. Maybe I've reached some sort of saturation point. There were some good moments, but rather than finding most of these stories whimsically touching I found them inconsequential. I didn't identify with any of the characters as much as I have in other books. I'm cautious about dismissing it - I wonder if in a different mood I would have liked it - but where I am now it didn't connect.

I found this book at my school's library in the free book section. I had no idea what it was about or who the other was, but only grabbed it because it had the nicest cover in comparison to the other books. I was pleasantly surprised that I found a nice collection stories for the 'price.'

The stories all take place in Keillor's fictional, religious, small town in Minnesota, Lake Wobegon. The only things that I really know about Minnesota is that it's cold, the Twins play in the metrodome, and the state has a unique portrayal in Fargo (the movie). Leaving Home gave me a better picture of the state, and how strange and interesting the place and the people are.

It's not a very deep book, but its a fun read. It's perfect for when you're really bored and just want to read something. Some of the stories are actually quite funny. Some are so-so, whilst the others are forgettable. After finishing Leaving Home, I had a nice feeling the rest of the day. It's corny, I know, but that's how it made me feel. Check it out when you get that chance.

Garrison Keillor's literary devices have served him (and us) extremely well. Those who thought he was in danger of becoming a victim of his own success have been proved right. But we are victims, too.

As a fellow only a few years younger than Garrison Keillor, I, too, bemoan our culture's voracious appetite for "content." The universal availability of our culture cannot be criticized. That's like saying there is too much breathable air.

But, it has its consequences. We drown in words now. What used to be made precious by its limited availability in libraries is now everywhere. When we got what we wished and worked for - universal access to literature, art, music - we did not fully understand the scope of human ability to adapt to environment.

Something about "evil overlords" has been making its way around the internet recently. There are 100 top things a current-day evil overlord can do; here are the last two:

"99. Any data file of crucial importance will be padded to 1.45Mb in size."

"100. Finally, to keep my subjects permanently locked in a mindless trance, I will provide each of them with free unlimited Internet access."

Drowning in thought, we lose the ability to think. Garrison left home, as he had to; we're all with him now.