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Last Bus To Wisdom: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015

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Book Brief

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Ivan Doig

Last Bus To Wisdom

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015
Book Details
Pages

453

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

American West • 1950s

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

Lexile Level

1160L

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Super Short Summary

Last Bus to Wisdom by Ivan Doig follows 11-year-old Donal Cameron's summer-long Greyhound bus journey after his grandmother's surgery forces him to stay with a great aunt in Wisconsin. Displeased with him, Aunt Kate soon sends Donal back to Montana, accompanied by her husband Herman. Their adventures lead them to Wisdom, Montana, seeking a new home. The book includes outdated and insensitive terminology for Indigenous Americans, people without permanent homes, and people with disabilities.

Nostalgic

Humorous

Adventurous

Heartwarming

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.2

25,645 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Ivan Doig's Last Bus to Wisdom has been praised for its rich storytelling and endearing characters. Reviewers highlight the novel's vivid depiction of mid-20th century Americana and its heartfelt exploration of coming-of-age themes. Some critics, however, found the pacing uneven and the narrative occasionally predictable. Overall, it is celebrated as a fitting conclusion to Doig's illustrious career.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Last Bus To Wisdom?

Readers who relish heartfelt, coming-of-age stories filled with adventure and introspection will find Last Bus to Wisdom captivating. Fans of Mark Twain's The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley will appreciate its warm, nostalgic narrative and rich, character-driven journey.

4.2

25,645 ratings

80%

Loved it

15%

Mixed feelings

5%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

453

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

American West • 1950s

Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

14+ years

Lexile Level

1160L

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