From 500 Great Books by Women; review by Colleen McQueen
Set in a small Alabama train stop town in the 1930s, this gem of a book almost could have been shelved as just another light romantic comedy. Various women's voices tell anecdotes of Whistle Stop, as the chapters jump back and forth through time. We hear from Mrs. Threadgoode, reminiscing fondly from her nursing home in the 1980s, and the chatty Dot Weems, editor of the gossipy town newsletter (1929-1969), and then listen in on spirited dialogue set in the town of Whistle Stop itself. The storytellers never find use for the label "lesbian," nor do they see fit to take us behind closed doors, but this is nevertheless the irresistible story of a fierce and true love between two women, Idgie and Ruth. After Idgie saves Ruth from an abusive marriage, these two friends become partners in running the Whistle Stop Cafe, where no one, "not even hobos and colored," is turned away for inability to pay. Readers are set down in the corner booth to eavesdrop on the comings and goings of an array of eccentric, ragtag characters who drop in for buttermilk biscuits, Big George's barbecue, and, eventually, news about their own hometown murder mystery. Among revelations big and small, Fannie Flagg mixes direct and empowering confrontations with racism, sexism, and ageism with the colorful and endearing language of the depression-era South and the cafe's recipes for grits, collard greens, and, of course, fried green tomatoes. -

To be mailed to Geishabird 3/15/05

Thank you! I've been interested in reading this book since I saw and enjoyed the film version some years ago. (And we all know the book is *always* better than the movie...)Looking forward to it.

I absolutely LOVED this book! What a wonderful, charming, heart-rending story...I loved it all and was sorry when I finished it. Great stuff. Who'd've thought Fannie had it in her? Thanks, awakeagain.

I'm including this in guinaveve's "You Go Girl!" bookbox because I think it's a great story about women, their courage and their wisdom. (But I think I'm going to buy another copy and get my mother to read it; I think she'd really enjoy it too.)

Added to guinaveve's "You Go Girl!" bookbox.

Thank you awakeagain, geishabird and guinaveve for calling this book to my attention. I've never read a Fannie Flagg book though I regonize her as an appealing personality. Many people I respect have loved her work. Still, the time isn't right for me with this one. I will leave it in the *You Go Girl* bookbox for a reader who is ready for it. This little mass market would make a good, carry-around summer read.

RELEASE NOTES:

For the next leg of the *You Go Girl* bookbox journey.

Thank you. I remember seeing this movie several years ago when I was too young to be interested. I will read the book, and then maybe rent the movie. My mom liked the movie. I will have to check with her to see if she has read the book and share it with her if she is interested.

I throughly enjoyed this book. It had so many interesting social elements in it- racism, homosexuality, feminism, mental health and all without being preachy or overbearing, just plain spoken and interesting. The characters were well developed, and I cared about them in that way that makes you want to just keep reading. To tell the truth, I finished it in the bath tub. It was steamy hot when I got in with 125 pages to go, and I ended up freezing in the chilly water, but by the time I felt it cooling off, I was too close to the end to put it down and get out.

This book is part of my challenge- Keep Them Moving Release Challenge.

I will also be releasing it for the "I Can't Believe I Ate So Much" Holiday challenge.

I am giving this to my mom today. She is a BCer who never really got into it, so she probably won't journal it. She will enjoy it and probably pass it on though.

RELEASE NOTES:

Enjoy!