A review by lbrumler
The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg

2.0

Holy editor, batman. This book, like many of Ms. Flagg's most recent, was in desperate need of an editor and someone to tell Ms. Flagg about the beauty of "show, don't tell" in writing. The last third of this book could have stood as a novel on its own without the 200 preceding pages, which both skimmed over major character developments (why does Buddy never make any attempt at seeing Idgy more than one time over 30 years?) and belabored minor points (Ruthy is pretty and her mother-in-law is mean). I also cannot count the number of times I rolled my eyes after reading what I thought was a pretty good cliff-hanger/innuendo, only to read the first line of the next chapter and have not only the joke/mystery explained in great detail, but the punchline/conclusion, as well. I loved Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, and Daisy May and the Miracle Man. I have also enjoyed some of Ms. Flagg's later books, though I do find them a bit hokey in parts. The last part of this novel fits into the latter category -- cheesy, but sweet, and a memorable story. The first 2/3 is just a mess, though.