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Funeral Potatoes
Sydney hates funerals, overlong programs, creepy corpses, warbly singing. But she loves gooey, cheesy funeral potatoes. And these days, between her ward and neighborhood and extended family, it seems like there's always a funeral for the Relief Society president to attend. Not fun occasions, of course, but not terribly traumatic either which is good, considering how crazy life is already with taking care of four little kids and one inactive brother. Ted is the lone black sheep amongst the blond-haired, blue-eyed OllerVanKeefers (rhymes with overachievers) and his lack of a testimony coupled with his lack of overall ambition has Syd concerned perhaps a bit too concerned, given how she sometimes prays for a not-too-serious car crash to shake him up a bit. But when a real crisis hits the family and Syd sees the shadowy side of picture-perfect happiness, she realizes that she's been praying for the wrong things, and that nobody needs to run faster than she has strength even if (especially
194 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
5 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Joni Hilton
36 books35 followersJoni Hilton is an award-winning playwright, the author of 20 books, and holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in writing from USC. She is frequently published in major magazines and contributes columns to MeridianMagazine.com. She hosts a call-in radio advice show on Saturday mornings on AM-1380 KTKZ (streaming live)at 9 a.m. Pacific Time.
Hilton is a former TV talk show host and TV spokeswoman for various corporations, and lives in Sacramento, California, with her husband, Bob, a former game show announcer. They are the parents of four children. Read more at jonihilton.com. Or, check out her Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joni-Hi...
Her three new Kindle books are available for just $2.99 at amazon.com/author/jonihilton and in paperback form at Createspace.com.
Hilton is a former TV talk show host and TV spokeswoman for various corporations, and lives in Sacramento, California, with her husband, Bob, a former game show announcer. They are the parents of four children. Read more at jonihilton.com. Or, check out her Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Joni-Hi...
Her three new Kindle books are available for just $2.99 at amazon.com/author/jonihilton and in paperback form at Createspace.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
July 25, 2012
One sentence into Joni Hilton's novel and the author and I are in agreement: "(Funerals) go on too long. An hour is plenty of time to recall a person's high points and to remind everyone of the plan of salvation. Having more than five speakers is ridiculous." Page 3 yields a bonafide recipe for delicious, albeit artery-clogging, funeral potatoes: the uber-comfort food. But beyond page 3, it's a steep downhill slide into self-conscious, "isn't-my-family-so-cute-and-clever" humor. Gag... And, PLEASE, leave "Ted" alone already!
January 8, 2013
About a decade ago I was trying to be a good Mormon and in that effort I tried to expose myself to "uplifting media." So, I borrowed some books from my aunt who had a very large library of Mormon fiction. I remember sitting on my sister's couch, reading the opening chapter of that book and thinking, "If this is the type of entertainment I'm expected to enjoy, I will NEVER be able to be a good Mormon." Fast forward a decade and I'm sitting in my office at work, listening to this book on tape, and having pretty much the same reaction... sans the desperation to be a good little believing Mormon girl. I could barely listen to this book without banging my head against my desk. The only word I can think of to describe the story is... insipid. I say that in the nicest way possible. I'm really not trying to be cruel.
(Quick disclaimer: I haven't read much Mormon fiction.)
From my experience Mormon fiction is... I don't know... stunted? The story lines lack substance and the characters are one dimensional. There seems to be this pervasive attitude in the church that if an artistic creation involves Mormonism, it must must be spiritually edifying... and it must also contain a gospel message. I think this constrains authors from creating characters with true foibles, robbing them of their humanity, and robbing the story of its power.
The central message of this story is that people are missing the boat if they base their behavior on external/worldly perfection, instead of perfecting their testimony. While the story lacked substance, I think, when viewed critically, it is a good demonstration of the tight-rope believers are expected to walk. They are expected to live their lives in a very VERY specific way. But then, they are told, "No, no, no, you don't walk the tight rope like THAT. You walk it like THIS." It's perfectionism within perfectionism. Additionally, this story is a perfect depiction of how believers are always the scapegoats for their own problems. It's your fault if you are sad. It is your fault if you struggle. You're just doing it wrong. It's not anything systemic within the culture. It's you.
So why did I listen to this book on tape if I disliked it so much? Because the author included an apostate character and I want to see how he was portrayed. On one hand, I was pleasantly surprised. On the other hand, I got what I was expecting.
The good: Ted wasn't angry and he wasn't a debauched immoral monster.
The bad: Ted wasn't a good little Mormon boy because he was rebelling against his perfectionist upbringing.
Because that's always the reason, right? People are apostates because they're rebellious. And because they want to sin. Right.
Well, I take that back a little. The thing I've learned over the past 2 years is that people walk away from the church for a million different reasons. So, I bet there are people out there who really do believe the church is true... but who remain inactive and separate for reasons that have nothing to do with accepting or rejecting the truth claims of the church.
I guess what it comes down to for me is that I can't tell you how much I would LOVE to see an accurate portrayal of an apostate from a believing Mormon source. A portrayal based on empathy and respect, rather than soundbites from LDS, Inc and judgements made by believers without any real understanding of the situation. But, maybe that is expecting too much. Who apostates really are doesn't mesh with a believer's world view. So maybe it's natural that they discard the apostate's explanation and substitute their own. Er, not really their own, I guess.... it's the explanation the church has told them to have.
Anywho....
(Quick disclaimer: I haven't read much Mormon fiction.)
From my experience Mormon fiction is... I don't know... stunted? The story lines lack substance and the characters are one dimensional. There seems to be this pervasive attitude in the church that if an artistic creation involves Mormonism, it must must be spiritually edifying... and it must also contain a gospel message. I think this constrains authors from creating characters with true foibles, robbing them of their humanity, and robbing the story of its power.
The central message of this story is that people are missing the boat if they base their behavior on external/worldly perfection, instead of perfecting their testimony. While the story lacked substance, I think, when viewed critically, it is a good demonstration of the tight-rope believers are expected to walk. They are expected to live their lives in a very VERY specific way. But then, they are told, "No, no, no, you don't walk the tight rope like THAT. You walk it like THIS." It's perfectionism within perfectionism. Additionally, this story is a perfect depiction of how believers are always the scapegoats for their own problems. It's your fault if you are sad. It is your fault if you struggle. You're just doing it wrong. It's not anything systemic within the culture. It's you.
So why did I listen to this book on tape if I disliked it so much? Because the author included an apostate character and I want to see how he was portrayed. On one hand, I was pleasantly surprised. On the other hand, I got what I was expecting.
The good: Ted wasn't angry and he wasn't a debauched immoral monster.
The bad: Ted wasn't a good little Mormon boy because he was rebelling against his perfectionist upbringing.
Because that's always the reason, right? People are apostates because they're rebellious. And because they want to sin. Right.
Well, I take that back a little. The thing I've learned over the past 2 years is that people walk away from the church for a million different reasons. So, I bet there are people out there who really do believe the church is true... but who remain inactive and separate for reasons that have nothing to do with accepting or rejecting the truth claims of the church.
I guess what it comes down to for me is that I can't tell you how much I would LOVE to see an accurate portrayal of an apostate from a believing Mormon source. A portrayal based on empathy and respect, rather than soundbites from LDS, Inc and judgements made by believers without any real understanding of the situation. But, maybe that is expecting too much. Who apostates really are doesn't mesh with a believer's world view. So maybe it's natural that they discard the apostate's explanation and substitute their own. Er, not really their own, I guess.... it's the explanation the church has told them to have.
Anywho....
February 17, 2012
Not my favorite from Joni Hilton, but I did laugh my head off. It was a fun story and had a good point.
May 28, 2012
Great LDS for a book club read!
August 23, 2018
This book was just okay...barely. I normally like Joni Hilton's lighthearted comedies and breeze through them but this one bored me and actually kind of aggravated me. The main character's antics with her brother aren't funny, and her attitude about "saving" him was irritating at best. The whole premise of the book was dumb and had nothing to do with funeral potatoes either.
March 15, 2012
I need a book category for humor. This book was packed full of it, especially if you are a Mormon woman who makes funeral potatoes. I identified way too much! In addition to the laughs, the author mixed in a lot of good insights about life and what we do to ourselves trying to live up to expectations we've set ourselves. For instance, her definition of what peace really is: "It isn't to be free from anxiety, trials or adversity. It's to rejoice in the gospel and keep our faith during those same setbacks--to have calmness about us even when life seems to be caving in." The storyline that carries the humor and the good advice is following Relief Society counselor Sydney OllerVanKeefers (rhymes with overachievers) through her hectic life and her biggest sorrow that her beloved older brother has rebelled against the family lifestyle of being the best, doing it all, starting a family, and going to church. The characters are a little too over-the-top to be believable but it was a fun romp all the way through. I especially liked the thought questions (or bookclub discussion questions?) at the end of the book, such as: How do we measure success? Do you have a hard time relaxing? Do you struggle with perfectionism? Is competition healthy, or is it rooted in jealousy? Have you ever wondered what will be said about you at your funeral? Despite all the humor in the story, as these questions show, there is a lot of good food for thought while you are laughing.
April 3, 2012
I've said before that LDS fiction is not my favorite genre to read, so I was expecting to have to grit my teeth through this one. (Why did I feel compelled to read it, you ask. A story for another time...) So whether it was because of my low expectations or something else, it was actually a fun, easy read for the drive home from Colorado. Yes, I felt like all the funeral potatoes references were contrived and forced. Yes, the author seemed to be getting on her own personal soapbox again and again. But it was still a good story with an appropriate message (Don't be afraid of failure. Find joy in the success of others. Learn from your own mistakes. Etc.) And my own personal lesson: Don't judge a book by its cover...or its title...or its genre.
September 7, 2012
I LOVE Joni Hilton's humor.
This book takes an interesting look into families and how they function.
Filled with humor it is fun to read, yet will make you really think about yourself and your family.
I love the Book Club Questions at the end of the book...
Here are a few:
*Do you know any families who are high achievers?
*How do you measure success?
*Does you family place and inordinate amount of focus on appearances?
*Have you ever felt your problems outweigh another person's?
*Is competition healthy, or is it rooted in jealousy and resentment?
She also gives a wonderful Funeral Potato recipe! YUM!
This book takes an interesting look into families and how they function.
Filled with humor it is fun to read, yet will make you really think about yourself and your family.
I love the Book Club Questions at the end of the book...
Here are a few:
*Do you know any families who are high achievers?
*How do you measure success?
*Does you family place and inordinate amount of focus on appearances?
*Have you ever felt your problems outweigh another person's?
*Is competition healthy, or is it rooted in jealousy and resentment?
She also gives a wonderful Funeral Potato recipe! YUM!
September 23, 2013
This was a very fast read, easy to skim lots of parts. It tells the story of an over-achieving Mormon family and how they come to grips with setting their expectations too high. I feel like I married into one of those families, so it was kind of funny to read it for me. The book was slightly exaggerated in how they went over and above (hand sewing and stuffing feather mattresses for the Laurels) but when I compare it to my in-laws, it wasn't that exaggerated. It includes lots of funny references to Mormon culture and descriptions of several funerals, both funny moments and spiritual moments that happen at them.
June 26, 2012
Joni Hilton usually makes me laugh. Not with this book. I felt like she was putting everything wrong w/ society and telling it in her book, but in a...I guess funny way? If you read this be prepared she always talks somehow about funerals and Funeral Potatoes....hence the name Funeral Potatoes.
Hilton does give her recipe for Funeral Potatoes. In the forward she dose state that some the antics/stories that are used in the book did happen. They are retold in a different way in the book.
Hilton does give her recipe for Funeral Potatoes. In the forward she dose state that some the antics/stories that are used in the book did happen. They are retold in a different way in the book.
March 26, 2012
Joni Hilton has a way of weaving hilarious things into a story. Funerals are not my favorite things and that's the same with Sydney. Yet, she loves funeral potatoes. She was going through some similar things in her life that I am, so it was fun to see this character laugh at herself, embarrass herself, and cope with things.
The characters weren't deep and this story made for a light, fun read.
The characters weren't deep and this story made for a light, fun read.
June 28, 2012
Had just lost someone very dear to me at the time I read this. The humer helped me through a rough time. Little did I know that I would again rely on that humor and the lessons taught when my husband died just 2 months later. Although Joni's books sometimes border on the silly side, they are always good for a laugh and a great stress reliever. Thank you Joni for helping me to maintain my sanity.
February 2, 2014
I think this author is funny the way she views life. However, I did find it ironic that the day I was reading this was also the same day I got a call that my mother only had a few more days to live after a long battle with Alzheimer's. So there will be a funeral and funeral potatoes in my near future too. It was a fun book, mostly comedy mixed with a few deeper, thought provoking moments. LDS themed.
April 25, 2014
Maybe I'd bump it up to 2.5 stars for a few life-lessons learned in this book. Otherwise it was just had too many different "funny" "experiences" lined up throughout the whole book. If it was a memoir, the stories might be funny but I felt like it was just a story about all of these hilarious experiences that couldn't all happen to one person! The plot amounted to nothing more than could be summarized in a few sentences.
September 1, 2016
3.5 rounded up.
I usually don't like humorous books because it seems too forced and not really funny but the main character in this book is just plain funny. It's not preachy but ends with a lesson that is important for many LDS people. That being said, it reaffirms my decision not to have a funeral when I die.
I usually don't like humorous books because it seems too forced and not really funny but the main character in this book is just plain funny. It's not preachy but ends with a lesson that is important for many LDS people. That being said, it reaffirms my decision not to have a funeral when I die.
June 14, 2012
I do think Joni Hilton is funny. it might be taken as good or bad that this book seemed less like a novel and more like somebody telling a bunch of funny anecdotes. There was some really good (I thought) advice packed in there as well.
April 19, 2012
Very funny read in the beginning but toward the middle/endish it got a little more somber. A good story about a busy mom with lots on her plate, great humor and situations. I recommend it if you want a good laugh.
May 11, 2012
Oh no, I was so disappointed in this book. I was expecting an easy, fun, humorous read but found it cluttered of mindless chatter with a little humor mixed in. It was a challenge to even get to page 100, then I skipped to the last chapter so that I could cut my losses and move on.
June 21, 2012
It took me a while to read this book. It was good. Sometimes things don't always work out how we want them to. Things will happen when they are supposed to happen. People can change their views and lives when it is least expected. Those are some of the points in this book.
June 26, 2012
A friend gave me this book to read. It was light and quick. Some of the LDS cultures were humorous but for the most part the book seemed to be trying to hard. It was really a bit cheesey and towards the end it became too preachy. It was an okay book but I could only rate it a 3.
July 24, 2012
Not a whole lot of plot. It made me laugh a few times, but after awhile I was just wondering when it was going to get moving. I would have given this 3 stars but it contained a diatribe that was pro-pantyhose.
April 25, 2013
At first, I really struggled with the ditzy main character in this book. Everything just seemed too slapstick for my taste, but the conclusions that Sydney makes at the end of the book about what she's learned from funerals are profound.
April 23, 2014
Nice light read to start out my spring break. I loved how I could totally relate to her position on funerals (I too am hoping they throw me a party rather than a boring funeral, I too love Funeral Potatoes)
February 16, 2012
why i liked this book can be summarized by this quote found in the first couple chapters...
"fat people are harder to kidnap."
LOVE IT :)
"fat people are harder to kidnap."
LOVE IT :)
February 22, 2012
Didn't think much of this book. Take a look at how perfect you are and try to change everyone into your way of doing things and don't forget the funeral potatoes.
March 9, 2012
The stories were pretty funny, but I was some what turned off by the women's attitudes in this book. They took things to the extreme and were often rude.
March 12, 2012
I liked the humor in this book. It was fun. While there wasn't a lot of depth to the characters, and the book felt rushed, it was still a fun read. :)
September 21, 2012
I have always loved Joni Hilton and wasn't disappointed in Funeral Potatoes. I love how she is able to weave humor with gospel truths.
February 16, 2014
Blah I've given up on reading this book. I loved her other books but this one has not gotten my attention and I'm bored reading it.
January 1, 2014
I laughed right along with her until she made fun of girl's camp. Is nothing sacred?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews