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lpcleland's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful return to Whistle Stop! Fannie Flagg brings to life another voice from the the original characters of "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe".
matasatan's review against another edition
1.0
It was so sweet so my eyes got diabetes. So sorry for this..
jaklindberg's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
the_villager's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
amreadsbooks0905's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-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? No
5.0
The perfect sequel to a beloved book.
I never wanted to leave Whistle Stop.
I never wanted to leave Whistle Stop.
morigan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
terrym10's review against another edition
5.0
What a heartwarming story! I’m very sad that I finished it so quick. I’ve loved the movie Fried Green Tomatoes since it came out, but didn’t read the book until a year or so ago. This sequel was just like visiting old friends! I’m so happy I got to find out what happened to everyone I “met” in the first book. Fannie Flagg should be declared a national treasure. I just can’t say enough good things about it, you’re going to have to read it for yourself
pam2375's review
5.0
I love Fannie Flagg! I love the way she writes! I love that each chapter is like its own short story with its own characters that always seems to come together.
This book lets us catch up with all the characters that we love from Whistle Stop. There are laugh out loud moments and then the moments that I found myself in a full blown 'ugly cry'. The author takes us back in time and then brings us forward. It all works well and I will read anything that Ms Flagg wants to write!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in October, 2020.
This book lets us catch up with all the characters that we love from Whistle Stop. There are laugh out loud moments and then the moments that I found myself in a full blown 'ugly cry'. The author takes us back in time and then brings us forward. It all works well and I will read anything that Ms Flagg wants to write!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for this advanced readers copy. This book is due to release in October, 2020.
bargainsleuth's review
5.0
For this and other book reviews, visit www.bargain-sleuth.com
Fried Green Tomatoes has to be one of my favorite movies of the 1990’s. I watched and re-watched the movie dozens of times when I worked at a store that sold videos. The themes of female empowerment and strong bonds of friendship appeal to me in such a visceral way. I finally got around to reading the book a few years ago and recently re-read it in anticipation of the sequel.
“Bud Threadgoode grew up in the bustling little railroad town of Whistle Stop, Alabama, with his mother Ruth, church-going and proper, and his Aunt Idgie, the fun-loving hell-raiser. Together they ran the town’s popular Whistle Stop Cafe, known far and wide for its friendly, fun, and famous “Fried Green Tomatoes.” And as Bud often said to his daughter Ruthie, of his childhood, “How lucky can you get?”
But sadly, as the railroad yards shut down and the town became a ghost town, nothing was left but boarded-up buildings and memories of a happier time.
Then one day, Bud decides to take one last trip, just to see where his beloved Whistle Stop used to be. In so doing, he discovers new friends, new surprises about Idgie’s life, and about Ninny Threadgoode, Evelyn Couch, other beloved Flagg characters, and also about the town itself. He also sets off a series of events, both touching and inspiring, which change his life and the lives of his daughter and many others. Could these events all be just coincidences? Or something else? And can you go home again?”
The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop defied my expectations that the sequel would not be as good as the original. In some ways, the book is superior, as it focuses more on Ruth and Idgie and Idgie and Buddy’s life after Ruth dies. The non-linear narrative is repeated for this book, going back to the 1930’s, up to current times, showing how Buddy turned out, and even how his daughter Ruth fared.
Dot Weems is back, writer of newsletters about Whistle Stop’s inhabitants, who scatter far and wide after the closure of the railyard. Bud, who lost his arm in Fried Green Tomatoes as a child, is not held back by his disability. He becomes a veterinarian, marries Peggy and has a very happy marriage, and names his daughter Ruth. Ruth grows up and marries, giving birth to two children and living in the same neighborhood as her mother-in-law, who never really accepts her. Her children are grown, and her husband dies, leaving her feeling empty inside.
We also get to revisit Evelyn Couch, who became so successful at selling Mary Kay it’s not funny. She eventually pours her earnings into a car dealership, and has continued success, expanding the business many times over, appearing in the car commercials on television and becoming a household name. She sells the dealership and plans to retire, but those plans change when through a series of events, she meets Bud Threadgoode’s daughter, Ruthie. The biggest surprise is when Whistle Stop rises from the ashes like a phoenix, thanks in large part to Evelyn Couch and her dreams of a tourist destination.
It was so nice to go back and visit with the folks in Whistle Stop after all these years, and meet new friends. While it is helpful to have read Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe’, it is not necessary to appreciate the warmth of this book. Listening to the audiobook narrated by Flagg herself was a treat.
Fried Green Tomatoes has to be one of my favorite movies of the 1990’s. I watched and re-watched the movie dozens of times when I worked at a store that sold videos. The themes of female empowerment and strong bonds of friendship appeal to me in such a visceral way. I finally got around to reading the book a few years ago and recently re-read it in anticipation of the sequel.
“Bud Threadgoode grew up in the bustling little railroad town of Whistle Stop, Alabama, with his mother Ruth, church-going and proper, and his Aunt Idgie, the fun-loving hell-raiser. Together they ran the town’s popular Whistle Stop Cafe, known far and wide for its friendly, fun, and famous “Fried Green Tomatoes.” And as Bud often said to his daughter Ruthie, of his childhood, “How lucky can you get?”
But sadly, as the railroad yards shut down and the town became a ghost town, nothing was left but boarded-up buildings and memories of a happier time.
Then one day, Bud decides to take one last trip, just to see where his beloved Whistle Stop used to be. In so doing, he discovers new friends, new surprises about Idgie’s life, and about Ninny Threadgoode, Evelyn Couch, other beloved Flagg characters, and also about the town itself. He also sets off a series of events, both touching and inspiring, which change his life and the lives of his daughter and many others. Could these events all be just coincidences? Or something else? And can you go home again?”
The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop defied my expectations that the sequel would not be as good as the original. In some ways, the book is superior, as it focuses more on Ruth and Idgie and Idgie and Buddy’s life after Ruth dies. The non-linear narrative is repeated for this book, going back to the 1930’s, up to current times, showing how Buddy turned out, and even how his daughter Ruth fared.
Dot Weems is back, writer of newsletters about Whistle Stop’s inhabitants, who scatter far and wide after the closure of the railyard. Bud, who lost his arm in Fried Green Tomatoes as a child, is not held back by his disability. He becomes a veterinarian, marries Peggy and has a very happy marriage, and names his daughter Ruth. Ruth grows up and marries, giving birth to two children and living in the same neighborhood as her mother-in-law, who never really accepts her. Her children are grown, and her husband dies, leaving her feeling empty inside.
We also get to revisit Evelyn Couch, who became so successful at selling Mary Kay it’s not funny. She eventually pours her earnings into a car dealership, and has continued success, expanding the business many times over, appearing in the car commercials on television and becoming a household name. She sells the dealership and plans to retire, but those plans change when through a series of events, she meets Bud Threadgoode’s daughter, Ruthie. The biggest surprise is when Whistle Stop rises from the ashes like a phoenix, thanks in large part to Evelyn Couch and her dreams of a tourist destination.
It was so nice to go back and visit with the folks in Whistle Stop after all these years, and meet new friends. While it is helpful to have read Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe’, it is not necessary to appreciate the warmth of this book. Listening to the audiobook narrated by Flagg herself was a treat.
_lovelyreader_'s review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5