Great Midwestern story
934456
The author of this book has a way with words to bring the characters to life. Eric and Anna Marie are so well developed that they feel like friends. The written description of place and setting is written with an artist's flair. I have no doubt that the author is a painter as well because he has nailed the hobbies of Eric and his artist friend Ed.

If you want to read an enjoyable heart warming story then read Midsummer Waltz... or read it if you just want to remember what it was like to be young and in love again.

The cover of this book does not do it justice. If you are the type that judges a book by its cover this is not one to pass over. It is a nicely bound and glossy hard cover but a poor choice for the image in my opinion.

I did not read it in one sitting but then I've never read any book in one sitting YET I loved Midsummer Waltz... couldn't wait to get back to the characters lives in the story each day... what would happen next? And how would her father react next? The ending is sweet.
1092823
Absolutely loved reading this, great main characters and good story. Enjoyed the references to different buildings in Chicago and helped it keep in touch with reality.
4500846
I thoroughly enjoyed this book set in the Midwestern US following a devastating nuclear exchange.  The characters were well-written and the storyline enjoyable.  As I was reading, I kept thinking of Hugh Howey's "Sand"; although the circumstances in "Sand" were quite different, both books tell stories of survival in worlds where the protagonists are separated by only a few generations from our current times, yet the stories they've been told of their ancestors' technology, comfort, and wealth seem all but fairy tales to them.
2091493
I really enjoyed this book. Story did not drag, kept moving along nicely.  Characters were well drawn.  I liked the down home town atmosphere  that gave me memories of life in a small town  The best part  was that one did not have to edit the story line if your youngster asked you what the story was about
1952612
Story takes place in my own backyard of Chattanooga.  Cleverly written as the chapters alternate stories between the main characters in a small community where the women work in a clothing factory.  They weave a tale of a simpler life where people have nothing in terms of physical wealth but hold deep roots in a community where everyone knows one another.  It's a great story about women helping other women in times of need.  The written dialect was very similar to what I know to be in this area when you get out into the hills and valleys (hollers).
3693701
I really enjoyed this set and am looking forward to reading more of the series.  I like the characters as they seem to typify the Midwestern work ethic and temperament.
2227857
Garrison Keillor writes in an easy-to-read and folksy manner.  The book is wonderful story of a fictional city in Minnesota where old fashioned values still exist and human foibles are exposed in a gentle but telling manner.  You'll read it more than once.  I promise.
3079073
What a great, well written and nostalgic story. I identified with it particularly as the story connected with small town America in the sixties. The "fault lines" of religion, prejudice and wealth disparity meeting the obvious contours of familial love and friendship are very striking. The descriptions of the places made it very easy to put yourself in "that place" and become part of the story.
669510
Funny, enjoyable, very well-written mystery set in a small town in Missouri. This writer keeps the pace of the story going but manages to fit a great story of the midwest into a genre mystery.
645629
This is a great story with great Chicago/U.S. history mixed in.  It gets a little long through the middle with descriptions of the building, but overall a great book.
2835830
A good old classic, easy going and entertaining story about struggling people in the midwest.

I don't know how I missed this classic.
1323035
I FOUND THIS BOOK TO BE CHARMING AND ENTICING.  IT TELLS THE STORY OF ONE FAMILY'S STRUGGLES IN THE LATE 1800'S TO THE EARLY 1900'S.  IT DRAWS THE READER INTO DAILY LIFE IN THE PLAINS OF NEBRASKA DURING WAGON TRAIN DAYS AND EARLY RAILROAD DAYS.  THE CHILDREN IN THE FAMILY HAD TO SURVIVE MAINLY ON THEIR OWN WHILE THE PARENTS TRIED TO FIND WORK TO SUPPORT THE GROWING FAMILY.  THIS BOOK WAS NOT WRITTEN BY A PROFFESSIONAL WRITER BUT IS INTERESTING TO READ.  YOU FEEL DRAWN TO THE AUTHOR AND HER SIBLINGS.  I FOUND MYSELF WANTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE FAMILY AND WHAT HAPPENED TO THEM ALL.  IT IS A SHORT STORY AND I FOUND MYSELF WANTING TO READ IT AGAIN AND FEELING SORRY THAT THE STORY ENDED SO SOON.
I THINK THIS STORY WOULD BE INTERESTING TO WATCH ON FILM.
2073772
This is a fascinating tale from a Midwestern town in the tumultuous year of 1968.  The story takes some surprising twists and turns that makes it hard to put the book down and it led me to read it again as soon as I finished it the first time. I give it my highest recommendation.
3617480
Thoroughly enjoyed this story.  I especially liked the relationship that developed with her brother as they were growing up on the plains.  The history was interesting and her father's support during the years was endearing.
4039160
This is the story of Tish, a girl from Michigan who moves to a Southern town in Alabama and lives in a Civil War era home. Tish soons learns that the McCombs aren't welcome in the town and to make matters worse, she takes in a troubled hitch-hiker with problems of her own.  Only George seemed to want to give Tish a chance although he didn't really want to give Mel a chance.  Moseley a great job of showing people's strengths and weaknesses through this book.  She showed how the love of God and his Grace can change people and turn them around.  The characters seemed so real that you just felt a part of the story. This was a great book.  I received it free from Waterbrook Multnomah for an honest review and I am so glad that I did.
2171893
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book as the story happened in many places that are familiar to a Michigander. The writer had to have done research on dates & times & places to make it believable & relavent to the plot.
It was a sweet story & it was nice to go back in time.  I would recommend this for a light read & would like to read other books by this author.
3896291
Really enjoyed the story.  Seems to fit with things we hear about going on in remote parts of our country.