Fanny and Sue

by Karen Stolz

When Karen Stolz's World of Pies was published two years ago, readers and critics alike savored every delicious word. Now Stolz returns to themes of childhood and coming of age in a poignant novel about twin sisters. In beautifully rendered detail, Stolz reveals the pleasure of freshly laundered dresses and homemade fudge, the terror of childhood illness and quarrels, and the magical connection that only twins possess.

Set against the backdrop of St. Louis during the Great Depression, twins Fanny and Sue tell their charming story in alternating voices. Infused with humor and warmth, Stolz's latest novel is certain to charm readers eager to experience life the way it used to be.

Genres: Fiction, Adult, Chick Lit, Historical Fiction

256 pages, Hardcover

First published March 5, 2003

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book at the beach this past August. I really enjoyed it
but - it really bothered me the way it ended. I wrote the author and she said the publisher didn't want a sequel but she told me her
plans for the next book. You'll have to write her if you want to know!!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

My only complaint about Fanny & Sue is that it wasn't longer. I would have enjoyed finding out what happened to them after they relocated to California. A sequel would be VERY much appreciated! Four stars.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I purchased this book years ago and, according to the dog-eared page that was the bookmark, I only read a few chapters before I shelved it. For lack of anything other that looked interesting on my bookshelf, I pulled this one and started again from the beginning.

The story is told in alternating chapters between identical twins, Fanny (the impulsive, gregarious one) and Sue (the reserved, cautious one). Initially I was not entirely engaged in the dialog as it was told from the youngest we see them in the book, about 5 years old. The writing is from the viewpoint of kindergarteners but I realized as the story progressed, the writing style aged appropriately dependent on where the girls were in their lives. The 18-year old twins stories were very different from the viewpoint of their 5-year old selves.

The book reads more like a diary where we explore their lives with them, their reactions to family hardship (the Great Depression), serious illnesses and accidents, financial struggles. It felt very authentic in the telling, but again, as it's told from the viewpoint of young girls, it is not a deep novel. That being said, I think the author did a solid job of writing for all their ages, which comes out when they become teens. The dialog and observations are markedly different than when they were in their younger years.

As someone who loves historical novels, this one did satisfy the requirement for telling us what they ate, what they did, what they wore and the norms of the day. She provided an accurate glimpse into another time in American history and I found myself often thinking, now that we are in a digital age, how much face-to-face and 'real life' opportunities we are missing that they experienced in a much more meaningful way? They actually lived their lives, they didn't perform their lives for others to see, like, or comment. I guess if I had to describe the book in one word is was nostalgic. Nostalgic for a time I never experienced, but I was along for the memorable ride.

[Kim Miller-Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book. Like she does with WORLD OF PIES, Stolz provides a simple, yet completely satisfying story. In this novel, 1930s-era St.Louis comes alive as Stolz follows the identical twin sisters during their first 18 years. The girls come of age amidst some of the most defining American moments of the years between the two world wars. Like other reviewers, I am disappointed that there will never be a sequel that tells us what happened to Fanny and Sue after they arrive in Hollywood. Because the girls maintain such optimism throughout their ordeals during the Great Depression, I think it would have been fascinating to see how they grappled with the evils presented by WWII and beyond. I truly wish the publisher would have allowed Stolz to write the sequel.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, not exceptional. Interesting, not riveting!

[Becki]

I will have to admit, I did not like this book much for the first four chapters�and then again at the end.\nIt is a tale of two sisters � twins � growing up in Depression Era St. Louis. The first four chapters really had no voice. It wasn�t until I got to chapter five and the chapter �voice� swaps between Fanny and Sue for the ensuing chapters that I really started getting into it.\nIt is definitely an easy read. Nothing real heavy or deep. And it keeps moving (the 236 page books covers from 4 or 5 years old until about 20). I enjoyed reading about the places in St. Louis I have visited � Casa Loma, Ted Drewe�s, the Muny, etc. � and their experience there.\nThere were some holes in the story and I struggled to understand why Sue always bowed to Fanny�s dictates � so I chalked it up to their connection and Fanny�s first born nature.\nAnd I hated the end. Too many loose ends. Grrr�\n

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute period piece.

Fanny and Sue takes place during simpler times and is about twins as they go through their adolescent years in St. Louis. As a former STL resident; I think I liked hearing about places that are still there today and what they would have 'been' like in the 20s, 30s, and 40s. I will admit that some of my 'like' of this book has to do with the fact that I know St. Louis so well.

Also a particularly quick read. It was nice to read that although the sisters are so 'different'; they really had a lot of similarities. The prologue was particularly moving (especially as I got to know the characters as I read; I went back to the prologue numerous times).

[Laura Cushing · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet easy read about twin girls growing up during the Great Depression. Though identical in appearance, Fanny and Sue are very different personality wise. They take turns narrating their childhood and adolescence. I feel that the ending though ultimately leaves the reader hanging, wondering what happened to the girls as adults. An epilogue or even a sequel would make it feel more complete and satisfying. Still a good read though, something that would be enjoyed by folks who like family stories, and / or stories set in the Great Depression.

[Ariel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This exploration of two very different identical twins born in the 1930s and their lifelong enmeshment had moments of great beauty, and the historical details are perfect. But the narrative arc peters off toward the end after the twins decide to leave St. Louis for Hollywood. Sue seems to be giving up her dreams of marrying her high school sweetheart to help Fanny pursue hers of an acting career. Then the story abruptly rushes to the end of their life where they die together, both wearing the same bad perm. I wanted to know how and why it all happened and found it frustrating.

[krdito · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book about a set of twin girls growing up in St. Louis in the early 1900's was like a cross between "The Bobbsey Twins" and "Fun with Dick and Jane." Simplistic, unskilled writing, boring characters, and SO much time spent describing the outfits they made and the food they ate. Since the book starts at the end of their lives and then tells their childhood story, would have been nice to at least know what happened to the twins after they left St. Louis. I expected a LOT more from a graduate of the Iowa Writer's Workshop.

[NancyInWI · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second Karen Stolz book that I've read. I enjoy her writing style. This one is about twins growing up during the depression, so I loved the historical aspects of it as well. The only thing that "bothered" me was that the story was pretty much left hanging...seems like it was set up for a sequel but I'm not sure there is one. There is a third Karen Stolz book though.

[Cynthia Paschen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twins Fanny and Sue Logan survive the great depression. Told in alternating voices.

[Emily Wolfenbarger · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real life-saver during midterms one year. Amazing how it reminded me so much of my grandma's stories of when she was young. Sweet story that is very soulful.

[Elisabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet, quiet book, not exciting but satisying even so.

[Kelly Holmes · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick, sweet read!

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It left me wanting more and wondering of the adventures of Fanny and Sue while they were in California. It was great!

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

In a novel set against the backdrop of St. Louis during the Depression, twin sisters Fanny and Sue--in alternating voices--describe their childhood, growing up, and coming of age.

[Addy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fanny and Sue is the story of two identical twin girls who are trying to find themselves growing up in the nineteen twenties. It was a very good short read.

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

zzzz.

[Sue Krawitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very good story about two twin sisters and their life growing up. I enjoyed it very much.

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is about Fanny and Sue, identical twins as they grow up.