novelesque_life's review
3.0
(1997)
RATING: 3 STARS
A great Fannie Flagg book about a small town and it's quirky townspeople.
(2020)
RATING: 3.5
Once I saw the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes I knew I had to read the book. Since then I have been a fan of Fannie Flagg's novels. I love the quirky characters and the humour mixed with drama. I remember this one being one of my least favourite books by Flagg. At the time I wasn't interested in the 1970s storyline with Dena and the press. Reading this 23 years later, I did enjoy it a bit more. I was more intrigued with the mystery this time, of what happened to Dena's mother. Also, knowing more of American History made it a bit more fun to read. I feel like we didn't get to know some of the other characters well enough. We kind of got more of a superficial look. Knowing this time that it is a series, and we will get to see more of Elmwood, explained why we got a peek at these characters. Overall, this is a great book when you need a lighter read with some heft to it.
RATING: 3 STARS
A great Fannie Flagg book about a small town and it's quirky townspeople.
(2020)
RATING: 3.5
Once I saw the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes I knew I had to read the book. Since then I have been a fan of Fannie Flagg's novels. I love the quirky characters and the humour mixed with drama. I remember this one being one of my least favourite books by Flagg. At the time I wasn't interested in the 1970s storyline with Dena and the press. Reading this 23 years later, I did enjoy it a bit more. I was more intrigued with the mystery this time, of what happened to Dena's mother. Also, knowing more of American History made it a bit more fun to read. I feel like we didn't get to know some of the other characters well enough. We kind of got more of a superficial look. Knowing this time that it is a series, and we will get to see more of Elmwood, explained why we got a peek at these characters. Overall, this is a great book when you need a lighter read with some heft to it.
celery's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Classism, Cursing, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, War, Vomit, Abandonment, Alcohol, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Suicide, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Grief, Fatphobia, Racism, Antisemitism, Car accident, Gore, Hate crime, Murder, and Stalking
becky_hubbard's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicide, Racism, Alcohol, Racial slurs, and Death
gelainmariaelena's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sonia_reppe's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this story because I really cared about the character of Dena, an up-and-coming news person/interviewer in 1970's NYC who struggles with issues of integrity in a cut-throat business that is turning ever sensational and tawdry. There is something sad at her core, having to do with her mom (her dad was killed in WWII), but Dena is good-hearted. Even though she is becoming famous and popular, she is a loner. Her ulcer finally forces her to deal with things in her past. This is my first Fannie Flagg novel--now I know she is good at writing a deep, well-drawn character.
The sensational direction of the media Dena finds herself in, is contrasted with scenes from a 1940's radio show from Elmwood Springs, Missouri, which is where Dena lived as a young child.
The third part of this book tore my heart out! The chapter titled "Christmas, Chicago, 1959" is one of the saddest things I've ever read!!!
Even though things got heart-breakingly sad, and dramatic in the last third of this book (maybe even a bit melodramatic), I liked the end. I know it will be so memorable to me.
The sensational direction of the media Dena finds herself in, is contrasted with scenes from a 1940's radio show from Elmwood Springs, Missouri, which is where Dena lived as a young child.
The third part of this book tore my heart out! The chapter titled "Christmas, Chicago, 1959" is one of the saddest things I've ever read!!!
Even though things got heart-breakingly sad, and dramatic in the last third of this book (maybe even a bit melodramatic), I liked the end. I know it will be so memorable to me.
bogfinchgirl's review
3.0
It was a good book, although I didn’t like it as much as The All Girl Filling Station. I wish there had been more clues to figure out Dena’s mother mystery. I got to the end where that was all laid out and thought “Huh, that’s really interesting, but no way I would have guessed this or even had some sort of incline.” I did like the characters from Elmwood Springs, Missouri and would have liked them to be a larger part of the story. If you like Fannie Flag, you’ll like this book.
bethgiven's review against another edition
3.0
I was glad when our book club picked a Fannie Flagg book; I've been meaning to read one ever since my sister-in-law recommended the author.
For all the talk I'd heard about how Flagg's characters were what sold the book, I was surprised at how well I liked the plot: so many varied storylines, from different places and times, are all woven together at the end to one cohesive tale.
Of course, the characters truly are delightful, too, especially the residents of Elmwood Springs (Aunt Elner reminded me a bit of my grandmother, a lifelong resident of Missouri herself; I loved how they'd talk endlessly of the meals they ate -- I can relate!).
Yes, I was really loving the book and its characters by the end; I found myself snatching bits of it whenever I could throughout the day (and it was nice that the book was subdivided into very short chapters, making this the perfect pick-up-and-read book).
That said, the beginning was really rough to read. There were a couple of characters who were rather prominent in the first hundred pages that swore like sailors, and it really bothered me -- I was tempted to put the book down a few times, not to be picked up again. I suppose it was a pretty effective way to demonstrate the scumminess of these particular characters, but yeah, it was almost too much for me ... so proceed with caution.
For all the talk I'd heard about how Flagg's characters were what sold the book, I was surprised at how well I liked the plot: so many varied storylines, from different places and times, are all woven together at the end to one cohesive tale.
Of course, the characters truly are delightful, too, especially the residents of Elmwood Springs (Aunt Elner reminded me a bit of my grandmother, a lifelong resident of Missouri herself; I loved how they'd talk endlessly of the meals they ate -- I can relate!).
Yes, I was really loving the book and its characters by the end; I found myself snatching bits of it whenever I could throughout the day (and it was nice that the book was subdivided into very short chapters, making this the perfect pick-up-and-read book).
That said, the beginning was really rough to read. There were a couple of characters who were rather prominent in the first hundred pages that swore like sailors, and it really bothered me -- I was tempted to put the book down a few times, not to be picked up again. I suppose it was a pretty effective way to demonstrate the scumminess of these particular characters, but yeah, it was almost too much for me ... so proceed with caution.
stucifer_'s review against another edition
3.0
I read this simply because it was on my mother's bookshelf, and I enjoyed the Southern charm and queer comforting story of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, and earlier book of Flagg's. This one, while charming enough, did not quite meet the expectation set in that book.
Flagg uses a nonlinear narrative structure, which works well considering the plot reveals along the way, but I must admit to getting slightly confused due to there also being what felt like jumps in time in the main plot. Still, each chapter is clearly marked, and the gradual awareness of the history around these characters works well for mirroring how Dena discovers more and more about her past. This book is full of side characters who seem to be more captivating than the MC; I adore the noble ideals of Howard Kingsley, and my skin crawled with the depravity and lack of morality or ethics of Sid Campello. Mackey's easygoing responses and humourous attitude to his wife's mile-a-minute gossiping was also a fun trope to lean into. Sookie was a good friend but it's unfortunate her loyalty to Confederate ideals and the Lost Cause narrative of the South went unquestioned in the book, especially considering the big reveal about Dena's lineage.
Flagg's language is easy to read, and she presents in Elmwood Springs a cozy and welcoming little town, a kind of utopian small town life that feels like home and true comfort. Her dialogue gets pretty clunky; there is a lot of on the nose exposition happening, especially with Dena, and I think her voice being so unbelievable undermines her character coming through strongly. Dena becomes a bit of a bank slate of a person, and maybe that is fitting considering her arc, considering she starts over. Nevertheless, I felt like the minor characters came alive off the page more than she did. Which speaking of, Gerry is a sweetheart of a man and I became quite fond of him, but I don't think this book benefitted from a comphet romance subplot. I was genuinely hoping to see he and Dena maintain a friendship that did not become a romantic relationship, because I enjoy unrequited longing and accepting that feeling as it is.
On the whole this book is the kind of thing I think of when folks talk about summer reads : it's easy, it presents no challenges, it's got characters you enjoy spending time with in a setting you like spending time in, and it ends on a satisfactory note. There's not much to recommend it beyond that, but it serves its purpose well.
This book does needs a content warning for suicide, though, which was not entirely unexpected on the whole, but was still a shock when it occurred.
Flagg uses a nonlinear narrative structure, which works well considering the plot reveals along the way, but I must admit to getting slightly confused due to there also being what felt like jumps in time in the main plot. Still, each chapter is clearly marked, and the gradual awareness of the history around these characters works well for mirroring how Dena discovers more and more about her past. This book is full of side characters who seem to be more captivating than the MC; I adore the noble ideals of Howard Kingsley, and my skin crawled with the depravity and lack of morality or ethics of Sid Campello. Mackey's easygoing responses and humourous attitude to his wife's mile-a-minute gossiping was also a fun trope to lean into. Sookie was a good friend but it's unfortunate her loyalty to Confederate ideals and the Lost Cause narrative of the South went unquestioned in the book, especially considering the big reveal about Dena's lineage.
Flagg's language is easy to read, and she presents in Elmwood Springs a cozy and welcoming little town, a kind of utopian small town life that feels like home and true comfort. Her dialogue gets pretty clunky; there is a lot of on the nose exposition happening, especially with Dena, and I think her voice being so unbelievable undermines her character coming through strongly. Dena becomes a bit of a bank slate of a person, and maybe that is fitting considering her arc, considering she starts over. Nevertheless, I felt like the minor characters came alive off the page more than she did. Which speaking of, Gerry is a sweetheart of a man and I became quite fond of him, but I don't think this book benefitted from a comphet romance subplot. I was genuinely hoping to see he and Dena maintain a friendship that did not become a romantic relationship, because I enjoy unrequited longing and accepting that feeling as it is.
On the whole this book is the kind of thing I think of when folks talk about summer reads : it's easy, it presents no challenges, it's got characters you enjoy spending time with in a setting you like spending time in, and it ends on a satisfactory note. There's not much to recommend it beyond that, but it serves its purpose well.
This book does needs a content warning for suicide, though, which was not entirely unexpected on the whole, but was still a shock when it occurred.
jlange64's review against another edition
3.0
Another fun audiobook to listen to from Fannie Flagg. The author just has a great voice for narration and that always helps an audiobook. The story was just ok, but perfect for my purpose of listening while driving or on the treadmill. A big NYC newsanchor gets down to her small town roots.
sharppointysticks's review
3.0
Work Book Club - Feb 2015
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I knew I wouldn't have time to read this one so I wanted to get the audiobook. Unfortunately the library did not have it and Audible only had the abridged version. I thought the character and plot development was very rushed, but that was probably because it was abridged!
-----------------------------------
I knew I wouldn't have time to read this one so I wanted to get the audiobook. Unfortunately the library did not have it and Audible only had the abridged version. I thought the character and plot development was very rushed, but that was probably because it was abridged!