56 pages 1 hour read

Ivan Doig

Last Bus To Wisdom: A Novel

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2015

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Before You Read

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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 The book includes outdated and insensitive terminology for Indigenous Americans, people without permanent homes, and people with disabilities.

Reviews & Readership

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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.

RecommendedReading Age

14+years

Lexile Level

1160L

Book Details

Genre

Historical Fiction

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Western

Themes

Life/Time: Coming of Age

Relationships: Family

Society: Politics & Government

Topics

History: World