Last Bus to Wisdom

A Novel

By: Ivan Doig

Narrated by: David Aaron Baker

Length: 15 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's summary

The final novel from a great American storyteller. Donal Cameron is being raised by his grandmother, the cook at the legendary Double W ranch in Ivan Doig's beloved Two Medicine Country of the Montana Rockies, a landscape that gives full rein to an 11-year-old's imagination. But when Gram has to have surgery for "female trouble" in the summer of 1951, all she can think to do is to ship Donal off to her sister in faraway Manitowoc, Wisconsin. There Donal is in for a rude surprise: Aunt Kate - bossy, opinionated, argumentative, and tyrannical - is nothing like her sister. She henpecks her good-natured husband, Herman the German, and Donal can't seem to get on her good side either. After one contretemps too many, Kate packs him back to the authorities in Montana on the next Greyhound. But as it turns out, Donal isn't traveling solo: Herman the German has decided to fly the coop with him. In the immortal American tradition, the pair light out for the territory together, meeting a classic Doigian ensemble of characters and having rollicking misadventures along the way. Charming, wise, and slyly funny, Last Bus to Wisdom is a last sweet gift from a writer whose books have bestowed untold pleasure on countless people.

©2015 Ivan Doig (P)2015 Recorded Books

A Young Boy's Brilliant Adventure, Loved It!

I just loved this book, every minute of it. A smart, quick witted, wise cracking 11 year old boy is forced to travel on the Greyhound Bus to a distant relative because his "Gram" is ill. Thus, he begins a journey that feels like a lifetime but actually takes place over one summer. The book takes place in the early 50's (I believe) in the Midwest, for the most part. The vernacular is perfect for the times and the people. The characters reminded me of Steinbeck's "Cannery Row". There were hobos and descriptions of people and scenes that left me laughing out-loud. Meanwhile, I fell in love with Donal, the main character. He is not only quick witted but his ability to find friends and create yarns to pull him out of any and all jams is exceptional. This book is Mark Twain and John Steinbeck all rolled together for one heck of a fun journey. I highly recommend.

Wisdom comes in many different situations

This story is most compelling and I just kept wondering where the author could go from one situation to the next and he didn’t disappoint me. Well written and very entertaining. I can’t wait to read the next story written by Ivan Doig.

Unique.

Great story teller, great reading. A little slow to start but once it grabs you, you are hooked.

loved it

ivan Doig is a masterful storyteller. this one did not disappoint. it is a wonderful read.

All Aboard the Dog Bus

Donal Cameron is an orphan boy of 11-going-on-12 in 1951, being raised by his grandmother who cooks on a ranch in Montana. But Gran is ill, and circumstances require that he grow up fast, if he can survive his almost spectacular gullibility. Sent for the summer by bus to his great aunt’s home in Manitowoc, WI, he is initially convinced that she is the world-famous singer, Kate Smith. Not even close.

David Aaron Baker, whose soft, youthful drawl gives life to the zany works of Charles Portis, among others, gets to exercise even more of his talents here. He voices a parade of characters who get on and off the “dog bus”—the Greyhound that is like a moving stage traversing the Great Plains. Donal meets a shifty traveling preacher, a sheriff with his stepbrother in handcuffs, a rodeo hero, waitresses, retirees, kids on their way to camp and soldiers en route to Korea – and apparently the real Jack Kerouac, on the road.

His abusive, self-centered aunt soon puts the boy back on the bus headed west, but her purported husband, known as “Herman the German,” slips away to join him. What follows is a rollicking journey encompassing Yellowstone Park and hobo camps, close calls and dumb luck. Each successive crisis becomes worse, and each solution more magical. Things turn ever more serious, and the title becomes literal as well as conceptual, but the sense of wonder and adventure never leaves.

“The miles upon miles of my summer, the immense Greyhound journey, right down to the last bus to Wisdom, were simply leaving me torn in two,” Donal muses.

It would be Ivan Doig’s last novel, a semi-autobiographical account of his own youth in the West. He ends with a wistful but satisfying conclusion, leaving young Donal to grow up. Without the author to tell the tale, the rest of the story is left to the reader’s imagination. As it should be.

Not really my style, but I loved it!

At first I was a little put off by the gee-whiz, Norman Rockwell flavor of this one. But young Donnie won me over with his innocent charm...and later by his toughness and resilience in the face of big setbacks. He and Herman forged a bond that was at times joyful and at times poignant. Great characters kept appearing on the scene. The narrator was perfect for the role. Stick with this one. It delivers a memorable experience.

Hated for it to end!

This is now one of my FAVORITE books! I wasn't warm to the narrator at first, but his voice ends up being perfect for Donny, who does most of the speaking. He has a great German accent too, which I enjoyed. This is just a heartwarming story about one boy's amazing summer and all the characters he meets along the way. May not sound that thrilling, but I couldn't wait to get back in the car to listen. Highly recommended!

Stellar Characters - and a great finish

I seldom like the final chapter of a book. This one satisfies but the joy of the trip is every bit as good as the ending. Yes it is a feel-good book but it's also a little snapshot of a time and a place in history. Well written, delightful people and satisfying narration.

bookclub1953

Excellent story!! The narration was excellent. The story keeps your attention.I highly recommend Audible books.

Great story about looking out for one another

What is right and wrong? We all know the big issues of right and wrong but what about the little subtle ones. My perspective may be different from anthers perspective. This story is about looking out for one another and taking a look at the little rights and wrongs we are all guilty of. Sometimes you need to stop judging people and look at the person for who they are. Really enjoyed this story!