nikanderous92's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful inspiring relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

gregisdead121_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

Fanny Flag's most well known novel is a celebration of memory. Through unveiling its time spanning romantic tapestry by winding in-between the remembering of the present, the truth of the past . This is a historical romance novel but it's also so much more,filled with characters experiencing constant changes it also reads like a collection of coming of age arcs. Where through the contrasting of the past and future give you an unprecedented experience of life and death in that character who'd only been 12 in one chapter would be much old in another. A dizzying technique best used by Vonnegut but still effectively utilized by Flagg as a means to cull the most emotionally from the book.

Just like it's wholesome film adaptation which I had seen first, the book has a well established sense of place. The community of whistleStop is rich with context, lore and history. Newspaper articles from local papers preced chapters either reporting on local rumor, phenomenon, tragedy or news . I had firts found it jarring as it didn't always have to do with the chaper before it and the mentions of the authors relationship with her chaotic husband ("other half "). It gives you this information as if you had been a citizen

annestitches's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

lambders's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

What a cute book! Short, sweet and filled with southern charm 🍯

colemeghan01's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

bill_wehrmacher's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This is another of the books my daughter gave me in the grab-bag of books she gave me for Christmas. I read a couple of the others first as I didn't think I was going to like it as much as some of the others. I had seen the movie back in the day, and liked it, but somehow I didn't really think I would warm to the book. I was wrong!

I have to acknowledge that I am not usually very good at forming what I would consider visual images of characters from books. In this case, however Fanny Flag colors her characters so well, I was able to see them in my mind; and in retrospect the casting director for the movie got them right.

I enjoy books that make me smile. Fried Green Tomatoes made me laugh out loud so many times. Oh, it had its sad parts as well, but isn't that what life is like?

I came to love the way the book transitions from Mrs Threadgoode's story telling in the 80s as a transition to the present tense living of the events.

Not to minimize the other characters, with one exception all are good, the world needs more Ruths and Idgies. It would be a better place. The Bad one gets his just deserts.

Read it. It will make your day better.

carweneve's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book was exactly what I needed; an easy read, short chapters and an actual great story to follow. I apologize now to anyone who knows me because I may inadvertently talk in a southern accent for a while now. Or at least what sounds like a southern accent in my head :-p It's also made me want to eat a whole mess of fried chicken and gravy and grits. And to start using terms like "mess".

jhentzen's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

a book you can read over and over... hits you differently every time

alisuncoldiron's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

This book was FANTASTIC. I’m in tears though. Shoutouts to Mrs. Kirk for giving me the book and to Beck for recommending it and providing emotional support throughout <3

breslinrh's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny lighthearted 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? It's complicated

5.0