alexiab 's review for:

Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg

3.0

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People say this is a vaguely racist book, and I both agree and disagree. I don’t think it approaches the story with racism, but it does feel idealistic and therefore disingenuous. 

Whistle Stop experiences minimal (for the time period) racism, homophobia, or women’s rights issues and feels overly idealistic for an Alabama town from the 20s to the 50s. There is simply no way that these people are barely touched by prejudice because their community connection is just too strong.

Compare it to To Kill a Mockingbird, which takes place in the same era in the same state, and covers similar topics of racism and how it affects black and white people alike. The racism is integral to the story because it’s why the story is happening, and its affect is felt throughout the entire book despite the main characters being white.

I can see this being a White Woman’s Preferred Version of TKAM: a historical fiction revolving around racism that is more easy to swallow and less offensive to the demure white ladies of the south. 

I don’t think there’s anything significant being said in this book, at least not in a way that’s truly moving. It touches on everything lightly, but doesn’t go anywhere that’s impressive and instead leaves me needing more constantly.