Reviews with content warning for Racism - Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe

on the one hand i did really enjoy this, i love historical fiction and books that portray someon 's whole life if that makes sense but there are some aspects of this book that really didn't age well (in particular the way black characters and racial issues are portrayed), which kinda took me out of it. i get that it's an old book and the author wasn't as educated as we are now, but from a modern perspective it still felt rather uncomfortable to read at times.

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soniuz's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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brennaaaaaaaaaaaaa's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

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lay_kone's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

5.0

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blueshirt's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing sad fast-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

4.75

I loved this book. It was so warm, so comforting, and so sweet. But if you read it, you have to go in knowing that this book is basically fantasy. It features a lesbian couple and an extended cast of black characters living in 1920s/1930s Alabama. The harsh realities of period-typical homophobia and racism are MASSIVELY glossed over.

To her credit, the author attempts to address the gaping economic and social disparities between black and white people. But be prepared for a lot of outdated thoughts and phrasing. This book was written in the 1980s, and it shows.

One character, Evelyn, is a middle-aged housewife living in the 1980s. She has A LOT of off-color internal thoughts, including ideas about how black people are "just happier" than white people. I do not think the reader is supposed to interpret Evelyn's thoughts as reflecting the author's opinions...I think this is very much supposed to demonstrate that she is a sheltered, uneducated woman of her time.

Having said all that, this book is so tender. My favorite parts included:

After Idgie and Ruth got together, Idgie's father sat her down and told her that she now had a woman and a baby to care for, so Idgie better settle down and get a real job. It was just not at all what I expected, haha.
Big George loved his little girl so much he couldn't even stand to be in the house when her momma spanked her for being naughty.
Idgie, Big George, and the elephant.

I fully recommend this book. I knocked a star off for the outdated ideas about race, but I honestly don't blame the author too much considering the subject matter and the time it was written.

Also, warning for cannibalism. But it's not at all graphic and is actually kind of hilarious.

4/28/2024 edit: I have such fond memories of reading this book that I bumped my rating up from 4.0 to 4.75. It's not a perfect book, but it did make me so happy.

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