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bethswantz's review against another edition
5.0
A Fannie Flagg book is guaranteed to be a quick and interesting read and this one didn't let me down. This story spans the years and the continent.
Sookie is the mother of 4 - a well settled southern woman with a mother who just won't quit! I mean - really won't quit!!! We call her a battle ax around here! :) She knows everything and everybody and he word and idea rule! And poor Sookie she is at her mom's beck and call ALWAYS!
So - that is Sookie's life - complicated enough. But, then it goes up another level. There is a weird registered letter with a secret. . . Sookie was adopted. All her mom's pressure to be something, to follow the family way, to be more than she is.
Sookie is blindsided! Her entire life history is shuffled and twisted. She takes advice from some of her friends - some of the advice is better than others. One of her friends, Malveern, suggests she join her naked drum circle to connect with her primal rage. That isn't really Sookie. Instead, Sookie begins meeting with the town psychiatrist - but not in his office right beside her mother's favorite beauty salon - instead they meet at the local waffle house for her counseling session.
As Sookie's story slowly unfolds - another story is also unfolding. Sookie's real mother according to the birth certificate is Fritzi, one of the bravest women alive! She started her life as a wing-walker during barnstorming days and from there became a WASP - a group of women who transported planes during WWII across the country. They were never really acknowledged but were amazing none the less.
As Sookie finds out more about her mother she slowly begins to understand herself. This was a book about beginning again - no matter what the age or the past. It was just the story I needed. Fannie Flagg did it again!
Sookie is the mother of 4 - a well settled southern woman with a mother who just won't quit! I mean - really won't quit!!! We call her a battle ax around here! :) She knows everything and everybody and he word and idea rule! And poor Sookie she is at her mom's beck and call ALWAYS!
So - that is Sookie's life - complicated enough. But, then it goes up another level. There is a weird registered letter with a secret. . . Sookie was adopted. All her mom's pressure to be something, to follow the family way, to be more than she is.
Sookie is blindsided! Her entire life history is shuffled and twisted. She takes advice from some of her friends - some of the advice is better than others. One of her friends, Malveern, suggests she join her naked drum circle to connect with her primal rage. That isn't really Sookie. Instead, Sookie begins meeting with the town psychiatrist - but not in his office right beside her mother's favorite beauty salon - instead they meet at the local waffle house for her counseling session.
As Sookie's story slowly unfolds - another story is also unfolding. Sookie's real mother according to the birth certificate is Fritzi, one of the bravest women alive! She started her life as a wing-walker during barnstorming days and from there became a WASP - a group of women who transported planes during WWII across the country. They were never really acknowledged but were amazing none the less.
As Sookie finds out more about her mother she slowly begins to understand herself. This was a book about beginning again - no matter what the age or the past. It was just the story I needed. Fannie Flagg did it again!
katy_ryn's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn’t sure how I felt about this book at first, but the last fifty pages had me shedding a few happy tears, so clearly some part of me enjoyed it. A sweet read, made me swell with polish pride a little bit. I love the emphasis on chosen family and learning more about the badass WASP ladies is never a bad thing. Overall a good time, a little sad in parts but generally a nice light, sometimes silly break. Sookie is infinitely lovable and it’s a treat to see her come into her own.
mbpartlow's review against another edition
4.0
I'm already a big Fannie Flagg fan, but I think this is one of her best. It's got all the emotions, and emotional impact, without ever veering into being the least bit treacly or overly sentimental.
My only question now is who shall I gift it to?
My only question now is who shall I gift it to?
bratface80's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
staciek3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book makes me wonder what Norma Yorbra Zorbra would say, or whatever her name was. 🤣 And my goodness all the other fun names in this book... Sookie, Lenore Simmons Krackenberry, and Fritzi Jurdabralinski!
Any how, this was a highly entertaining and also informative book. I had no idea about the WASPs, but I'm glad I do now. I did want to give Lenore a talking to, but am glad Sookie found her peace with that relationship. What a rip roaring good book. I will have to read more by Fannie Flagg now. Until then ... See ya pals!
Any how, this was a highly entertaining and also informative book. I had no idea about the WASPs, but I'm glad I do now. I did want to give Lenore a talking to, but am glad Sookie found her peace with that relationship. What a rip roaring good book. I will have to read more by Fannie Flagg now. Until then ... See ya pals!
maurareads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
lizzycatslibrary's review against another edition
4.0
So I really enjoyed this book. It is a super simple and very easy to read. This was a recommendation from a cute little southern bookstore lady and when I bought it I thought oh man... what did I get myself into? This ended up being the perfect antidote to my cross country exodus from the South. It is generally a feel good book and I am glad I read it. Well done Fannie Flagg... now I must read Fried Green Tomatoes!
jjpelky's review against another edition
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
meganlafo's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jgraydee's review against another edition
3.0
Story gave interesting background of WW2 WASP pilots. But, the story line was choppy and, by the 50 pages, become more about political correctness than about the story line. Kind of disappointed, as this was my first novel by Fannie Flagg.
Favorite quote is on page 184: "... When you live long enough to see your children begin to look at you with different eyes, and you can look at them not as your children, but as people, it's worth getting older with all the creaks and wrinkles."
Favorite quote is on page 184: "... When you live long enough to see your children begin to look at you with different eyes, and you can look at them not as your children, but as people, it's worth getting older with all the creaks and wrinkles."