Combining southern warmth with unabashed emotion and side-splitting hilarity, Fannie Flagg takes readers back to Elmwood Springs, Missouri, where the most unlikely and surprising experiences of a high-spirited octogenarian inspire a town to ponder the age-old question: Why are we here?Life is the strangest thing. One minute, Mrs. Elner Shimfissle is up in her tree, picking figs, and the next … the next thing she knows, she is off on an adventure she never dreamed of, running into people she never in a million years expected to meet. Meanwhile, back home, Elner’s nervous, high-strung niece Norma faints and winds up in bed with a cold rag on her head; Elner’s neighbor Verbena rushes immediately to the Bible; her truck driver friend, Luther Griggs, runs his eighteen-wheeler into a ditch–and the entire town is thrown for a loop and left wondering, “What is life all about, anyway?” Except for Tot Whooten, who owns Tot’s Tell It Like It Is Beauty Shop. Her main concern is that the end of the world might come before she can collect her social security.
In this comedy-mystery, those near and dear to Elner discover something wonderful: Heaven is actually right here, right now, with people you love, neighbors you help, friendships you keep. Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven is proof once more that Fannie Flagg “was put on this earth to write” (Southern Living), spinning tales as sweet and refreshing as iced tea on a summer day, with a little extra kick thrown in.
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This is one of those books that has you laughing out loud. Elna Shimfissle is a hoot! She is a unique individual and has you appreciating her sense of humor, her wonderful attitude about life, and her curiosity about the world.
Then you factor in Norma and her husband, Mackie, and you have a delightful view of life in Elmwood Springs. Norma is …
It was an easy read and was just what I wanted to lift my spirits. Fun and entertaining and yet it was thought provoking. I’m going to select this book for my book club. I nice break from the tragic WWII, Holocaust, gory murder mysteries we’ve been reading.
Almost every sentence in this entertaining novel brought chuckles and laughter! An eccentric octogenarian keeps her family and neighbors on their toes while sharing warmth and love to an unlikely crew. The characters are fantastic. The story original. The narration keeps you listening. This was a read and soon to be a reread for me…. Don’t miss …
This was a wonderful book..Ms. Flagg is a superb writer. She really captures the personality of each of her characters. Laugh out loud funny, sweet and wholesome. Didn’t want it to end. Love all of her books.
Being a nurse from Missouri I could relate to much. Quite entertaining & has some offside life advice. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. May even read a second time.
Fannie Flagg has a wonderfully comfortable way of telling a story. You feel like she is in the chair next to you filling you in on all the happenings. This particular book makes you think about all the ways you may never know how your life influences those around you.
Elmer is a wonderful character that I wish we could all be more like. She …
When I say I finished the book, I mean I read all I could handle. I was disappointed in it.
Loved this book!
Loved it and sad when it ended.
I really enjoyed this story, as I do of most written by this author. It was quirky and fun. I did find one thing disturbing, and that is the assumption is made that everyone ends up in Heaven after their earthly life is over – no matter what you believe. It is disheartening that the church-goers didn’t know for sure, when it clearly states in the …
I loved this book from the beginning. I have read it more than once. At one time I read it aloud to a very, very sick friend, and it made her laugh. If I hadn’t loved it before that, that alone would have made me love it for all time. Fanny Flagg is one of my favorite authors. Anything she writes is a joy to read.
All of her books are wonderful!
Loved this book. It struck especially close to home in bittersweet ways as oirbfamilu deals with our remaining elder’s increasing physical and mental disintegration. This book helped me see things from different perspectives (anxiety-ridden niece, stubbornly independent elder, etc.) and note the impact on the people around them of judgmental or …
Great lead character who is an old southern lady who takes charge and espouses traditional conservative values. Throw in the missing person genre and kid , leaves a great stage for the story to unfold.
So cute!
I like the characters in all of Fannie Flagg’s books. The stories are always folksy and comfortable to read. She’s a wonderful story teller.
You’ll never forget her books or characters. I love, love love ALL of her books, and I own all of them
Great for Fanny Flagg fans. A fun filled book. Worth reading.
Love all of Fannie Flagg’s books.
Flagg writes an engaging novel. I really enjoy all of her books. This one was very entertaining. It kept me guessing as to where she was going with her plot lines.