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A review by merlesstorys
Grüne Tomaten by Eva Malsch, Fannie Flagg
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Gosh, how much I fell in love with the characters at the end. And that there was a Happy End for everyone (in some way or another).
The story seems so simple at the start, but as soon as I started reading, I discovered layers and layers.
Like the high possibility, that Idgie and Ruth queer were but never said out loud. It just showed that queer people always existed and that we always will.
Ninny‘s story was kinda heartbreaking. How she lost her husband and child, just to be alone in the retirement home at the end, but moved there for her best friend. And that she was so selfless in general, but gave Evelyn all her things.
And Evelyn, poor Evelyn. I‘m so happy for her and that she felt a lot better at the end. She found her way.
The structure of the book was interesting. The many chapters, consisting of flashbacks, newspaper articles and in-person-experiences were a lot at first (confusing and difficult to follow), but after a while I got a hang of it and it got easier to read.
In general I enjoyed reading this book a lot. Because I took my sweet time with it, the ending felt even for rewarding in the end - because I loved reading this book in a slow and steady pace. Normally I rush through a book, but I didn’t feel the need for it with this one.
Just a few things I love about this book that are maybe more of a spoiler than my review already is:I love that Idgie‘s love for Ruth was never judged apon by her family, just accepted. And that Frank got what he deserved, even though the fact that Sipsey was the murderer was surprising. And the ending, the bittersweet but loving ending. How Idgie still looks after Ruth’s grave, even though she was already dead for forty years… so much to love about this book.
The story seems so simple at the start, but as soon as I started reading, I discovered layers and layers.
Like the high possibility, that Idgie and Ruth queer were but never said out loud. It just showed that queer people always existed and that we always will.
Ninny‘s story was kinda heartbreaking. How she lost her husband and child, just to be alone in the retirement home at the end, but moved there for her best friend. And that she was so selfless in general, but gave Evelyn all her things.
And Evelyn, poor Evelyn. I‘m so happy for her and that she felt a lot better at the end. She found her way.
The structure of the book was interesting. The many chapters, consisting of flashbacks, newspaper articles and in-person-experiences were a lot at first (confusing and difficult to follow), but after a while I got a hang of it and it got easier to read.
In general I enjoyed reading this book a lot. Because I took my sweet time with it, the ending felt even for rewarding in the end - because I loved reading this book in a slow and steady pace. Normally I rush through a book, but I didn’t feel the need for it with this one.
Just a few things I love about this book that are maybe more of a spoiler than my review already is:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Fatphobia, Racial slurs, Racism, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Cannibalism, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Classism
Just wanted to add that this book is pretty old and therefore has some outdated content. Reading it was great anyway!