Rating: 
Summary: fell in love with it
Review: this book was recommended by my sister-in-law (we both work in bookstores in eau claire wisconsin) and the minute i started it i couldn't put it down. i was reading it during my breaks and i had it finished in a day. it's such a wonderful book that i can't say enough good things about it. i'm going to buy all the rest of his stuff that i can get my hands on.
growing up in a slightly larger "small town" (chippewa falls) i know just what he was referring to though out the book. i've been recommending the book to anyone that comes into my bookstore looking for something to read and everyone has been coming back looking for the rest of his works.
Rating:
Summary: Small Town diversity
Review: Though many who have never lived in small towns view them as coming up short on the diversity measure; I would soundly disagree. Michael Perry captures the depth and the tapestry of relationships fostered in a place where fellow inhabitants know their neighbors on many different levels. And diverse they are!
I enjoyed all aspects of this book, from the philosophical observations on the human condition, to the human- connectedness amid joy and tragedy. More than being just a "people-watcher", Author Michael Perry is a "people-appreciater". His words impeccably paint the personality pictures of those he has known, appreciated, smiled over, laughed with, and or course, sorrowed with. A very recommendable book.
Rating:
Summary: Hysterically funny yet poetical and extremely moving.
Review: I enjoyed this book tremendously. The writing is insightful, humorous, truthful and breathtakingly beautiful. I found myself marking passages to return to again and again. The book is by turns hysterical and heartbreaking. A few of the passages were somewhat too grim and explicit, and I'm not a fan of hunting. But the writing was so compelling, so compassionate and, ultimately uplifting, that I highly recommend this lovely, funny book to everyone.
Rating:
Summary: It ended too soon!
Review: I bought this book as a Christmas gift for my sister. She is an EMT in Tioga County in the wilderness of Pennsylvania where we both grew up. I thought she would enjoy reading the stories of a fellow small town EMT. Like the author I grew up in a small town then left for the job opportunities and cultural attractions of living in the big city. Unlike the author I have never returned but my sister and our family still live there. The night I purchased the book I skimmed through the pages, was interested and started from the beginning. The stories and narrative said a lot about living in a small town that is slowly dying, and the closeness of a family trying to make a difference. The joy and sorrow of survival and death made the book an emotional experience and I was thoroughly hooked. I stayed up all night and finished the book over breakfast. The ending of the book is especially well done and left me craving for what happened after. I hope the author writes a sequel as I really want to know how his life faired. There is a made for TV movie in here if not a feature. How did my sister like it? She also stayed up all night reading it and it is now circulating through her volunteer fire department in the mountains of Pennsylvania. I bought a copy of my own to read again during a snowy weekend in January.
Rating:
Summary: Close to Home - 2nd attempt
Review: I recently completed Population: 485 and found that it hit very close to home. I grew up in a town smaller that New Auburn, helped with the VFD and then moved away for a while only to recently return. Reading the book reminded me of why I came back.The characters are the type that are readily noticed in a small town because you are more likely to know everyone. The spirit of community when someone is in need is indeed true. From my own experience, the person that cusses you the louded everyday may very well be the first to offer help when needed. You may not have a lot of common most of the time, but you pull together in the darkest hours. I would recommend this book for anyone who has ever lived in a small town, ever served in fire/EMS service or ever wanted to do do either. The stories are compelling. The writing, while fanciful at times is well adapted to the subject. It was a quick read, partially because I couldn't put it down. All in all a ... good book
Rating:
Summary: An Excellent Read
Review: I picked-up this book after hearing him on the radio and I thought it was fabulous! His writing style is easy to read, yet not simplistic. I was continually amazed at the humor and clarity he brought to each situation. As a mid-westernern I could relate to the sights and sounds, but anyone can enjoy and appreciate his humor and wisdom. I am so glad to have found this author!
Rating: 
Summary: Often on target
Review: Population: 485 is starting to take off in volunteer fire and EMS circles. There are two reasons for this. First, it's always great to see a book that glorifies what you do. Second, Perry's experience and way with words allows him to nail many of the details of the work. His passages on emergencies he has dealt with had me nodding my head in recognition, and even sometimes -- as in his section about EMS's obsession with overcomplicated mnemonic devices -- exclaiming my agreement aloud in empty rooms. In these parts of the book, Perry comes closer than any writer I can think of to imparting what it feels like to be an EMT or firefighter in the situations he describes. However, not all the book is about that. To prove his erudition, Perry salts his book with historical information he cannot make interesting compared to his central subject. These end up looking like he's marking time through this short book because he doesn't have anecdotes enough to fill it. (One of his asides about Emperor Trajan, however, was trenchant.) Also, little redundancies from chapter to chapter reveal how this book was stitched together out of separate articles or essays -- either it should have stayed an essay collection, or the editing should have been done more carefully. And occasionally Perry's "macho poet" stylings can be a bit precious. All in all, though, Perry's book is worth a look. It is a quick read, and Perry can turn a phrase well. Most importantly, nothing else I have seen captures the feeling of being a small town volunteer like Population: 485. Writing from Population: 633, I salute the book.
Rating:
Summary: THE GIFT BOOK FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST
Review: Read Michael Perry's book for the acuity of his perceptions, the deep beauty of his language and the humor and compassion of his stories. Your intellectual ivy league educated cousin, your Catholic/Agnostic/Homemaker/Neurosurgeon mother, your weird Uncle Lou and your sister will all enjoy this book. For those women who fantasize about the perfect stevedore/poet lover -
take a gander at the dust jacket photo!
Rating:
Summary: More than a 5-star rating
Review: To give this book the rating it deserves, I'd need more than 5 stars. It was, quite simply, a great read. He was "right on" about so many of his observations; I'd often laugh out loud or mentally do a "high five" with Perry when he'd nail something I'd not be able to put into words. The subjects he writes about -- people and events -- could easily have slipped into stereotyped characterizations and situations. You have to read this book yourself to see how skillfully he uses words to rise above any such contrivances. I agree with one of the former reviewers -- I'm going to have to get another book I can mark up. So many of the things he wrote about bear re-reading.
Rating: 
Summary: A bit pretentious
Review: OK, I know, no one will find this review 'helpful' because it is not glowing :) But it is honest. I suppose I expected a little more emergency medicine and a little less prose and deep thoughts, although I know it is the juxtaposition of the two elements that is a unique and sometimes attractive feature about Perry's writing. I just found the work a wee bit too "rhapsodic" to quote the author. Perry can turn a phrase but his homilies about life wear you out after a while. If a major dilemma in his life is that he cannot justify his simple roots (replete with "aw shucks" phrases) with his more heady literary aspirations, neither could I. Sorry, I really, really wanted to like this book!
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