is the funny, serious, and compelling new novel by Fannie Flagg, author of the beloved (and prize-winning co-writer of the classic movie).
Once again, Flagg’s humor and respect and affection for her characters shine forth. Many inhabit small-town or suburban America. But this time, her heroine is urban: a brainy, beautiful, and ambitious rising star of 1970s television. Dena Nordstrom, pride … her heroine is urban: a brainy, beautiful, and ambitious rising star of 1970s television. Dena Nordstrom, pride of the network, is a woman whose future is full of promise, her present rich with complications, and her past marked by mystery.
Among the colorful cast of characters are:
- Sookie, of Selma, Alabama, Dena’s exuberant college roommate, who is everything that Dena is not; she is thrilled by Dena’s success and will do everything short of signing autographs for her; Sookie’s a mom, a wife, and a Kappa forever
- Dena’s cousins, the Warrens, and her aunt Elner, of Elmwood Springs, Missouri, endearing, loyal, talkative, ditsy, and, in their way, wise
- Neighbor Dorothy, whose spirit hovers over them all through the radio show that she broadcast from her home in the 1940s
- Sidney Capello, pioneer of modern sleaze journalism and privateer of privacy, and Ira Wallace, his partner in tabloid television
- Several doctors, all of them taken with — and almost taken by — Dena
- There are others, captivated by a woman who tries to go home again, not knowing where home or love lie.
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Loved the folksy characters in Elmwood Springs and their everyday optimism. Informative contrast between today’s media and small town radio.
I think I’m a bit late to the party with this one. When I mentioned it on Facebook several friends mentioned they’d read it!
It’s a delightful, slow-paced yet impactful novel – the fragmented plotlines fall satisfactorily into place despite a slightly confusing first third. It’s not my usual genre, but I really enjoyed it and I’m glad I stuck with it. I borrowed it from a friend who assured me it would drag me out of my reading slump, and it did!
Fannie Flaggs books are a treasure. I want to move into her stories and be neighbors with her characters.
Love love love this crazy crew of characters. I literally laughed out loud.
I loved all the characters in this story and the message Flag is relating to her audience, she always makes me think about the person I want to be and those around me.
Loved this book, great characters. Laughed out loud several times. Very enjoyable.
Anything by Fannie Flagg is a good time.
Love Fannie Flag
This author has never written a book worth less than 5 stars.
I think I would have liked this book much better if I had ready it rather than listening to an audiobook. Because the book goes back and forth between years and characters, it was a little harder to keep up with things.
I enjoy Fannie Flagg books, but this one wasn’t one of my favorites. I don’t want to give it too much negative feedback because I think it was simply the format of the book that caused the problems rather than the actual book itself.
Classic
Fannie Flagg is a wonderful writer and each book is a jewel!
Unusual for Frannie Flagg but this book dragged and was a bit boring. I hate to say it but was no where near her writing usually is.
Fanny Flagg has a way with words and she comes up with such interesting and original characters!!
my favorite book
Keeps you interested, what will happen next.
A delight, ass are all Ms Flagg’s books.
Entertainly – light read.
Fanny Flag is fantastic. Don’t miss this one. Well worth reading at least once. Maybe more than once
Fannie Flagg is one of the funniest writers ever