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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
Fannie Flagg always manages to write such heartwarming stories and this newest work from her is no exception. I found this to be a hybrid of short stories, a novel and a sentimental walk down memory lane featuring all the special characters from Whistle Stop.
I expected this to be more about Bud, but it seemed that it was about everybody, even though it did tell readers about what happened to Bud through the years after he left Whistle Stop.
In a sense, this was Bud recalling fond memories along with the written commentary of the newsletter put out by the local postmistress.
This is not the best as a stand alone novel. If you’ve read other work by this author, it will be more enjoyable. The timeline skips around from the 1930’s to the present day. At times, I felt like it was a bit confusing, but once I was deeper into the book that didn’t bother me so much.
Readers who like clean, heartwarming stories with happy endings will love this one. I think it’s also a great read for the holiday season.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
I expected this to be more about Bud, but it seemed that it was about everybody, even though it did tell readers about what happened to Bud through the years after he left Whistle Stop.
In a sense, this was Bud recalling fond memories along with the written commentary of the newsletter put out by the local postmistress.
This is not the best as a stand alone novel. If you’ve read other work by this author, it will be more enjoyable. The timeline skips around from the 1930’s to the present day. At times, I felt like it was a bit confusing, but once I was deeper into the book that didn’t bother me so much.
Readers who like clean, heartwarming stories with happy endings will love this one. I think it’s also a great read for the holiday season.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
With any other author, I would be nervous about getting a sequel to my favorite book over thirty years later. There is so much potential to be disappointed, or for it to damage your relationship with the original work somehow. But Fannie Flagg is different - she’s my favorite author because she writes characters in a way that makes you feel like you’ve known them your whole life. Because of that, before I even read it, I knew that Wonder Boy would be like catching up with some old friends. That is exactly what I felt reading this sequel. Like all of Flagg’s novels, the characters and writing are so lively, it makes for a pleasant and quick read, filled with plenty of laughs and a few good cries, and everything in between.
The only downside to catching up with these old friends, though, is the realization that the core events of Fried Green Tomatoes took place in the 1930s, and people just don’t live that long. I was surprised how much my heart ached at mentions of certain character deaths - even characters I didn’t really think I cared too much about. The new characters were a delight - I adored Ruthie almost as much as I adored her namesake grandmother. And what a satisfying ending! I’m over the moon happy with this continuation of my favorite book. I devoured it in one sitting. I truly can’t thank Fannie Flagg enough for this little piece of joy so desperately needed in 2020.
I also want to mention that I attended a virtual book tour event for this release, and Fannie Flagg is just as adorably southern as you’d expect her to be. She also mentioned something about Fried Green Tomatoes in early talks to be developed into a television show, and I am cautiously optimistic about that. The 1991 movie is a perfect adaptation and is very near to my heart, but I got the impression that the television show would be separate, perhaps telling a different story in a different time, or something of the sort. Regardless, something to keep an eye out for.
The only downside to catching up with these old friends, though, is the realization that the core events of Fried Green Tomatoes took place in the 1930s, and people just don’t live that long. I was surprised how much my heart ached at mentions of certain character deaths - even characters I didn’t really think I cared too much about. The new characters were a delight - I adored Ruthie almost as much as I adored her namesake grandmother. And what a satisfying ending! I’m over the moon happy with this continuation of my favorite book. I devoured it in one sitting. I truly can’t thank Fannie Flagg enough for this little piece of joy so desperately needed in 2020.
I also want to mention that I attended a virtual book tour event for this release, and Fannie Flagg is just as adorably southern as you’d expect her to be. She also mentioned something about Fried Green Tomatoes in early talks to be developed into a television show, and I am cautiously optimistic about that. The 1991 movie is a perfect adaptation and is very near to my heart, but I got the impression that the television show would be separate, perhaps telling a different story in a different time, or something of the sort. Regardless, something to keep an eye out for.
I was apprehensive revisiting whistle stop with this. It jus missed the mark. I don’t give two hoots about Ruth’s mother in law (buddy (stumps) daughter) i gave it a try at least the first 3rd into the book. It just fell flat. It would’ve been more fun to see more of buddy’s childhood being that it’s suppose to focus on him. I’m really hesitant on sequels for this reason a quick grab for extra money.
I just love Fannie Flagg books. This one is a great follow up with the characters from Fried Green Tomato's at the Whistlestop Cafe. I listened to the audio version. These are narrated by the author Fannie Flagg. This one will make you laugh and cry. It was so much fun.
This book was good, and a welcome return to the lives of those we fell in love with during our first journey to Whistle Stop.
Here, we follow the lives of a very old Buddy Threadgoode, his daughter Norma, and the magnificent Evelyn Couch.
This novel gave us closure to nearly every character, and at times this will break your heart, but at others, you'll be literally cheering and laughing while flipping the pages.
There are several inconsistencies between this book at the prior novel, and at times this is a bit frustrating, but if you just ignore the incongruities, you'll enjoy the book.
Here, we follow the lives of a very old Buddy Threadgoode, his daughter Norma, and the magnificent Evelyn Couch.
This novel gave us closure to nearly every character, and at times this will break your heart, but at others, you'll be literally cheering and laughing while flipping the pages.
There are several inconsistencies between this book at the prior novel, and at times this is a bit frustrating, but if you just ignore the incongruities, you'll enjoy the book.
Not quite as good as Fried Green Tomatoes, but that was a high mark to live up to. It was pleasant to revisit old friends and find out what ultimately happened to them. Plenty of surprises in the book for sure!
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was a book to take time and savor. It has a slow cadence. And while you can read it quickly, I preferred to let the story set the pace. It was so nice to spend time with our friends at Whistle Stop again, and sad to lose them as the years went on. That is life and we get to see those lives lived in snippets as the story moves back and forth in time. Fannie Flagg does a great job of interweaving everyone’s lives. Chance encounters can lead to the most unexpected things. It may not be a realistic ending for our friends in Whistle Stop, but who cares. It feels good.
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Loved, Loved, LOVED the original but this follow up had so many continuity errors I couldn't enjoy it as much.