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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
Never saw the movie nor do I plan to. The book was so full and rich that no movie could go justice , in my opinion . The side bits from Dot Weems was a hi light . Lots of laughs and many somber moments all showing our human moments. I have been to Tennessee and Alabama, perhaps this gave me a different view The relationships were so deep and heartwarming, theses characters will resonate with me a long time.
This really wasn't for me. The sentimentality and moral superiority throughout the book set my teeth on edge. The characters were stereotypical: they were so *good*; they did bad things but it was okay because it was only in detriment of the bad guys. The best written parts were the ones relating to BirmingHam and the jazz life: they felt more complex, less simplistic, but life in Whistle Stop itself always sounded like a schmaltzy movie. The most fun part was when Evelyn got mad and turned into avenger Towanda: she was angry and she was a feminist and she wanted to kick whoever got in her way. But then she found the Lord and she felt happy and Towanda was gone. Yawn. I was also okay with the Weekly Bulletins with their irony and easy humour. But the rest just felt designed to bring on an easy tear and reminisce about the good ol' days of the Depression (when everyone was so poor and black people were not considered citizens but it was fine because everyone was so happy and nobody ever stayed hungry at the Whistle Stop Cafe). This is not something I usually say but, in this case, I think I would have had enjoyed the film more.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Hear me out…I like the movie better. I knew where the story was going, and the characters are pretty fun. Just not a whole lot of substance which is lowkey what I was looking for in a simple book so that’s on me. But it was alright overall.
Dnf at 61%
I just got bored i guess
Sometimes i love stories which are just pure vibes and no plot, especially to just switch off the brain and go to a cute place. But this was not the right time for that i guess 🤷
Also, when i go to a relaxing place in my head to just chill out, it is generally not the deep American south during jim Crowe. Racist 1920s alabama does not equal relaxing cosy book, i just felt super uncomfortable at times - its not just a white woman depicting racist treatment of black people at that time, but also racist choices in character development.
I just got bored i guess
Sometimes i love stories which are just pure vibes and no plot, especially to just switch off the brain and go to a cute place. But this was not the right time for that i guess 🤷
Also, when i go to a relaxing place in my head to just chill out, it is generally not the deep American south during jim Crowe. Racist 1920s alabama does not equal relaxing cosy book, i just felt super uncomfortable at times - its not just a white woman depicting racist treatment of black people at that time, but also racist choices in character development.
It starts a bit slow but stick with it, it is worth it
Merged review:
It starts a bit slow but stick with it, it is worth it
Merged review:
It starts a bit slow but stick with it, it is worth it
I've always found this book a little twee. But it's well written and has funny moments.
My mama always told me that if I can't think of something nice to say, don't say anything at all. That's the policy I'm going to adopt with this book...
This book was very much not for me. I thrifted it, curious to know the story after hearing so many people love the movie adaptation.
I have so many complaints with this book, but I'll just say having read it in 2023, it didn't age well..
I'm not going to give this any stars because honestly I would give it negative stars if I could.
This book was very much not for me. I thrifted it, curious to know the story after hearing so many people love the movie adaptation.
I have so many complaints with this book, but I'll just say having read it in 2023, it didn't age well..
I'm not going to give this any stars because honestly I would give it negative stars if I could.
I really liked this book. It had such colorful characters