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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
I loved FGT and I love Fannie Flagg -- enjoyable light read of what happened to characters from that book -- but much more surface than I had anticipated -- still enjoyable.
One the years, I have enjoyed Flagg's novels. They are lovely stories with memorable characters. "The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop" returns the reader to all the beloved residents of Whistle Stop featured in "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". The story bounces around in time from the 1930's to the present day. The main protagonists are Buddy Threadgoode, his daughter Ruthie Caldwell, and feisty Evelyn Couch.
Where I was a little disappointed, however, was the general "fluff" to the plot. FGT tackled issues around racism, domestic violence, substance abuse/addiction, and most famously, featured two lesbian protagonists. While Wonder Boy revisited some of those issues (and made it clear that Idgie and Ruth were in a romantic relationship), everything was tied up in a nice little bow and resolved rather easily. I struggled with that general tone to the novel, which is featured heavily in Flagg's work, that everyone was pleasant and sweet and just gosh darn good ole southern nice. Maybe it's that I have lived in the South for the last 7 years and have lots of feelings about the place that are not pleasant or nice. I no longer buy the characterization of the "genteel Southerner". Maybe it's living in the world we do now and escapism just isn't possible. For whatever reason, I wanted more humanity out of the characters, more depth of emotion, more varied life experience. They often bored me or irritated me with their passivity. I guess I would describe this book as like a sitcom: light and fluffy, no lingering effects from most problems, and everything resolved neatly at the end.
I listened to this via audiobook. The narrator was Fannie Flagg herself. She did a fine job but her pacing was slow so I did need to adjust the speed to accommodate.
Where I was a little disappointed, however, was the general "fluff" to the plot. FGT tackled issues around racism, domestic violence, substance abuse/addiction, and most famously, featured two lesbian protagonists. While Wonder Boy revisited some of those issues (and made it clear that Idgie and Ruth were in a romantic relationship), everything was tied up in a nice little bow and resolved rather easily. I struggled with that general tone to the novel, which is featured heavily in Flagg's work, that everyone was pleasant and sweet and just gosh darn good ole southern nice. Maybe it's that I have lived in the South for the last 7 years and have lots of feelings about the place that are not pleasant or nice. I no longer buy the characterization of the "genteel Southerner". Maybe it's living in the world we do now and escapism just isn't possible. For whatever reason, I wanted more humanity out of the characters, more depth of emotion, more varied life experience. They often bored me or irritated me with their passivity. I guess I would describe this book as like a sitcom: light and fluffy, no lingering effects from most problems, and everything resolved neatly at the end.
I listened to this via audiobook. The narrator was Fannie Flagg herself. She did a fine job but her pacing was slow so I did need to adjust the speed to accommodate.
I have such a soft spot in my heart for fried green tomatoes. To finally read not just the first book but this one as well is such a delight. Seeing Evelyn connect with the Threadgoods again and connect with the town of whistle stop filled me with so much joy. This book provides the closure I didn't know I needed for all the townsfolk of Whistle Stop. It's a nice story of just how important community is and how woman can build each other up.
This is just the kind of feel good “aww shucks” story of the inhabitants of a small southern town & their history that is the perfect next choice after reading something super heavy!
Wonder what the town of Whistle Stop & their offspring have been up to since Fried Green Tomatoes? Here you go!
Wonder what the town of Whistle Stop & their offspring have been up to since Fried Green Tomatoes? Here you go!
If you read Fried Green Tomatoes, than this may appeal. It takes a while for the story to get going and since it's been years since I read Fried Green Tomatoes, I found the first half of the book somewhat disjointed.
I wanted to love this book. I felt such a love for the characters from the novel Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe that I was certain this would allow me to continue exploring and enjoying their lives. It fell flat for me. I read it quickly, but not with as much engagement as the previous novel.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is a sequel to my all-time favorite book. How could I not give it 5 stars?
Fannie Flagg always manages to make me laugh, make me cry, and often in the same paragraph... it warmed my heart to hear more about Whistle Stop.. my heart needed this story this year ❤️
If you enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe this is a feel good catch up with all of the characters.