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The Supremes #1
Alltid på en søndag
Clarice, Barbara Jean og Odette har vært bestevenninner siden skoledagene på 1960-tallet i Indiana. Over is-te og pekanpai, gjennom førti år med ekteskap, barn, opp- og nedturer, holder trioen sammen. Kom og bli med dem når de deler saftige sladrehistorier, tårer og latter. Alt på samme tid, ved det samme bordet på Spis så mye du orker. Søndager med The Supremes er en bok til å bli i godt humør av, samtidig som den får deg til å gripe dagen. «Tar pusten fra deg.» Julia Glass, forfatter
364 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
628 people are currently reading
14491 people want to read
About the author
Edward Kelsey Moore
8 books329 followersEdward Kelsey Moore is a professional cellist and author from Chicago. During his high school years, and onward into college, Edward Kelsey Moore experimented with writing short stories. As he finished his education he set writing aside and focused on building a career in music. Many years later, as a member of a string quartet, Edward was hired to perform at a reception for the winners of a local writing contest. As he played background music Edward considered: "I could have sent in a story..." It was an inspiring event and within a few weeks Edward Kelsey Moore began writing again. His short fiction has been published in many literary magazines including: Indiana Review, African American Review, and Inkwell. His short story Grandma and the Elusive Fifth Crucifix was selected as an audience favorite from the Stories on Stage series produced by WBEZ in Chicago. It was broadcast locally, and over National Public Radio. The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat is Edward Kelsey Moore's debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,548 reviews
May 10, 2013
Serious topics clothed in humor
You know those book reviews you read where the reviewer complains that there were no likeable characters? Well “The Supremes” is the antidote to that! I dare you to not like any of these characters no matter what their weaknesses. In fact one of the best things about Moore’s writing is his ability to create lovable, believable characters. They could be your own friends and neighbors or even yourself . The Supremes are three women coming of age in the late 1960’s. They are best friends who support one another throughout their lives. Moore touches on racial issues as well as family issues and illnesses in small town Indiana at a time when segregation was a given.
Odette is the ringleader and the glue that binds the three women. She communes with ghosts though she doesn’t seek them out…THEY hound her. She has a loving husband and three wonderful grown kids. All the action swirls around her. Her observations are priceless. She’s a practical woman and never expects the worse to happen but when it does she sure knows how to deal with it when it comes her way. She’s also a ferocious mother bear when adversity threatens her loved ones.
Moore’s writing is so matter of fact it would be easy to underestimate. I was afraid this story would be self-consciously humorous but the laughs are endemic, it’s comes out of all too real situations. Even the supernatural aspects seem logical. The spirituality at the heart of the book is inspiring in a non-invasive way. “The Supremes” is funny, relevant, and so so touching in a real way. Because of this it would be easy to take Moore’s writing as merely ‘fun’. Don’t do that.
This review is based on an advanced reading copy received from the publisher.
(Disclaimer added as required by the FTC.)
You know those book reviews you read where the reviewer complains that there were no likeable characters? Well “The Supremes” is the antidote to that! I dare you to not like any of these characters no matter what their weaknesses. In fact one of the best things about Moore’s writing is his ability to create lovable, believable characters. They could be your own friends and neighbors or even yourself . The Supremes are three women coming of age in the late 1960’s. They are best friends who support one another throughout their lives. Moore touches on racial issues as well as family issues and illnesses in small town Indiana at a time when segregation was a given.
Odette is the ringleader and the glue that binds the three women. She communes with ghosts though she doesn’t seek them out…THEY hound her. She has a loving husband and three wonderful grown kids. All the action swirls around her. Her observations are priceless. She’s a practical woman and never expects the worse to happen but when it does she sure knows how to deal with it when it comes her way. She’s also a ferocious mother bear when adversity threatens her loved ones.
Moore’s writing is so matter of fact it would be easy to underestimate. I was afraid this story would be self-consciously humorous but the laughs are endemic, it’s comes out of all too real situations. Even the supernatural aspects seem logical. The spirituality at the heart of the book is inspiring in a non-invasive way. “The Supremes” is funny, relevant, and so so touching in a real way. Because of this it would be easy to take Moore’s writing as merely ‘fun’. Don’t do that.
This review is based on an advanced reading copy received from the publisher.
(Disclaimer added as required by the FTC.)
January 3, 2015
This was an unexpected page turner about the lives of three friends affectionately known as the Supremes by everyone in their small hometown. The story moves effortlessly between past and present events in each of their lives revealing to the reader how they became and remained friends for over 40 years. The intermingling of love, abuse, murder, and ghosts really make the story come to life. I was surprised by the ending. I totally thought I had it figured out, but was happy to learn there was a twist. The story was written with such humor and emotion, I recommend it for anyone looking to laugh and cry.
November 17, 2014
I gave this delight 5 stars because these people were so real to me I can see them and hear them in my head. I can not wait to meet Mr. Moore. However did he write such a strong book about 3 woman. He understood their voices, obviously.
I hope this is available in audio because I want to experience them again.
Audio was excellent with two narrators. One for Odette and one for Clarice.
I hope this is available in audio because I want to experience them again.
Audio was excellent with two narrators. One for Odette and one for Clarice.
November 4, 2012
Characters so unforgettable, I actually MISS them. Great book, and always love when male authors present strong female characters.
September 5, 2024
The Supremes are three African-American girlfriends who bonded as teenagers in Plainview, Indiana in the 1960s, and remained friends for all their lives.
Odette - a short, round woman who's self-confident and assertive - had a happy childhood with two jazz-loving parents. Odette grew up to marry a sensitive man called James, and they raised three loving and successful children.
Unknown to most people, Odette often converses with ghosts, particularly her mother and Eleanor Roosevelt (ha ha ha). 😃
Eleanor Roosevelt
Clarice is a talented musician whose daddy encouraged her ambition to be a concert pianist. Clarice abandoned her dream when she wed handsome football star Richmond, a womanizer who embarrasses and hurts Clarice with his constant, blatant adultery. Richmond's behavior chagrins Clarice's friends.
Barbara Jean, whose mother was a drug addict and prostitute, grew up to be the town beauty and local fashionista. Barbara Jean married a wealthy businessman and tragically lost a young son - an event that deeply affected her life.
After church on Sundays the three couples assemble for lunch at 'Earl's All-You-Can-Eat' to dine and schmooze.
As the story proceeds we learn about life-altering events associated with Earl's restaurant - many witnessed by kind fatherly Earl himself. Everyone loves Earl, who's always ready to lend a helping hand.....particularly to troubled teens.
Racism, prevalent during the events of the story, profoundly affects the lives of the Plainview residents.
All the major characters are fully realized, believable, and relatable - and the male author was able to capture the voices of his female characters with great authenticity.
I thought the book was funny, profound, dramatic, and sad in turn, and well worth reading.🎈
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot....
July 3, 2013
Well what can I say. Supercalafragalisticexpeealidoshious. Just a wonderful, human story.
This is a fantastic author. All the way through I kept asking myself how a male author could be so "in tune" to female behaviour. He must have had many sisters and been a very good brother.
Every character is lovable in their own way. Clarisse, Odette and Barbara Jean are friends from their young teen years. They share the good times, bad time and sad times. A must read.
This is a fantastic author. All the way through I kept asking myself how a male author could be so "in tune" to female behaviour. He must have had many sisters and been a very good brother.
Every character is lovable in their own way. Clarisse, Odette and Barbara Jean are friends from their young teen years. They share the good times, bad time and sad times. A must read.
January 7, 2014
I found my favorite book of 2014 on the first try. I can't wait to see how my other reads measure up to this book. It was perfect in every way. I laughed, teared up, and fist pumped in triumph for my favorite characters throughout the whole book. I recommend for everybody who wants to read a good book.
January 22, 2016
The Help + Fried Green Tomatoes + a dash of Steel Magnolias = The Supremes
Clarice, Odette, and Barbara Jean are The Supremes. They have been called that every since they were teenagers growing up in small-town Indiana in the mid-1960's. The Supremes - like every other black teenager at the time - spent their weekend nights (and some weekdays) at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, a restaurant with hot food, cool music, and owners Earl and Thelma who were second parents to every child in town.
Now, The Supreme's are in their late fifties, still visit Earls (now owned by Little Earl) every Sunday after church, and are more than just friends, they are the loves of each other's lives. The stories of their lives, and the major events that shaped them over the past 40 years, are revealed with a touch of southern humor that had a smile on my lips even though touch subjects were touched on.
I loved this book. Every time I sat down to read, I slipped comfortably into the story and felt like I was an honorary Supreme. The book tackled serious subjects - death, infidelity, segregation, and alcoholism - but with hope, humor, and the support of your friends. And, all that seriousness was interspersed with stories about the town "psychic" Minnie, the craziest wedding you have ever read about, and the small town gossip that The Supremes love to hash over.
If I have to offer one critique, it is that the story bounces from Supreme to Supreme and every decade from the 1960's to 2000's. Surprisingly for me, I didn't have too much trouble following it because the author did a great job of leading the reader along, but there were times when it took me a few paragraphs to figure out who I was reading about.
Overall, this will be in my top 10 of the year and I truly did not want the story to end. A great debut novel from a man who has scary insight to how women think!
Clarice, Odette, and Barbara Jean are The Supremes. They have been called that every since they were teenagers growing up in small-town Indiana in the mid-1960's. The Supremes - like every other black teenager at the time - spent their weekend nights (and some weekdays) at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat, a restaurant with hot food, cool music, and owners Earl and Thelma who were second parents to every child in town.
Now, The Supreme's are in their late fifties, still visit Earls (now owned by Little Earl) every Sunday after church, and are more than just friends, they are the loves of each other's lives. The stories of their lives, and the major events that shaped them over the past 40 years, are revealed with a touch of southern humor that had a smile on my lips even though touch subjects were touched on.
I loved this book. Every time I sat down to read, I slipped comfortably into the story and felt like I was an honorary Supreme. The book tackled serious subjects - death, infidelity, segregation, and alcoholism - but with hope, humor, and the support of your friends. And, all that seriousness was interspersed with stories about the town "psychic" Minnie, the craziest wedding you have ever read about, and the small town gossip that The Supremes love to hash over.
If I have to offer one critique, it is that the story bounces from Supreme to Supreme and every decade from the 1960's to 2000's. Surprisingly for me, I didn't have too much trouble following it because the author did a great job of leading the reader along, but there were times when it took me a few paragraphs to figure out who I was reading about.
Overall, this will be in my top 10 of the year and I truly did not want the story to end. A great debut novel from a man who has scary insight to how women think!
March 30, 2022
I very much enjoyed this. Due to the high reviews on Goodreads, it has been on my TBR for forever. In my main group on Goodreads, a long-time member passed away recently, and folks are choosing to read from her list and interests. This was my book to honor Regina, and she gave it 5 stars.
The book follows three African American women and their spouses. All friends since they were teens, and the three couples attend three different churches, but end up at these "suppers" at Earl's All You Can Eat. In the book, one gets to meet extended family, neighbors, cousins, townspeople, and gets a feel for the community. As well as a few ghosts. But these three women, and their tight knit friendship are at the center of the story. They are each in their own way, dynamic spitfires, created from love, and resilience, and spunk, and humor, and an abiding commitment to one another and those they love. It is filled with humor and some wonderful scenes. I won't soon forget Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean. Nor will I forget Regina.
The book follows three African American women and their spouses. All friends since they were teens, and the three couples attend three different churches, but end up at these "suppers" at Earl's All You Can Eat. In the book, one gets to meet extended family, neighbors, cousins, townspeople, and gets a feel for the community. As well as a few ghosts. But these three women, and their tight knit friendship are at the center of the story. They are each in their own way, dynamic spitfires, created from love, and resilience, and spunk, and humor, and an abiding commitment to one another and those they love. It is filled with humor and some wonderful scenes. I won't soon forget Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean. Nor will I forget Regina.
March 21, 2013
Edward Kelsey Moore’s first novel comes highly recommended by Amazon, BookPage, and nearly all of those who have reviewed it on Goodreads. The title and bright cover seem to promise a rollicking good time. How could I be in such a small minority of readers who didn’t care for it?
The Supremes are three women in their mid-50s who have been close friends since high school in a small southern Indiana town. For 40 years they’ve had a special table at Earl’s, a diner presided over by a larger-than-life father figure to everyone in Plainville who needs rescuing.
Weaving back and forth in time to acquaint us with the women’s growing-up years and their lives since, the story includes quite a few plot lines and even more characters. Eleanor Roosevelt, with a new persona, was an interesting touch, but the fortune teller with a terrible record and very elaborate costumes just made me shake my head.
The reputedly funny bits seemed for the most part to involve harsh judgments of others’ appearance, behavior, and intelligence. One of the Supremes describes her cousin’s daughters as “two of the ugliest women she had ever seen, having inherited their mother’s heavy brow and too-close eyes and their father��s huge ears and sunken chin.” Their sister “sang like a screeching demon freshly released from the deepest pit of hell.” And there’s plenty more, if you like this sort of thing.
But the novel is hardly all eye-rolling critiques. A litany of serious issues is faced by the Supremes, including infidelity, loss of family members, alcoholism, cancer, angry God religion, sexual abuse, demanding parents, lost loves, and racism. I had a hard time moving from a chapter about chemo treatment to one describing an incredibly over-the-top, slapstick-y fiasco of a wedding to another describing conversations with the dead who have messages to be delivered. I also had a hard time remembering which of the Supremes was dealing with which crisis.
By the end I couldn’t say if the three women were characters or caricatures. And I was eager to get to the last page just to get it all over with. I have concluded that this just isn’t my type of book.
The Supremes are three women in their mid-50s who have been close friends since high school in a small southern Indiana town. For 40 years they’ve had a special table at Earl’s, a diner presided over by a larger-than-life father figure to everyone in Plainville who needs rescuing.
Weaving back and forth in time to acquaint us with the women’s growing-up years and their lives since, the story includes quite a few plot lines and even more characters. Eleanor Roosevelt, with a new persona, was an interesting touch, but the fortune teller with a terrible record and very elaborate costumes just made me shake my head.
The reputedly funny bits seemed for the most part to involve harsh judgments of others’ appearance, behavior, and intelligence. One of the Supremes describes her cousin’s daughters as “two of the ugliest women she had ever seen, having inherited their mother’s heavy brow and too-close eyes and their father��s huge ears and sunken chin.” Their sister “sang like a screeching demon freshly released from the deepest pit of hell.” And there’s plenty more, if you like this sort of thing.
But the novel is hardly all eye-rolling critiques. A litany of serious issues is faced by the Supremes, including infidelity, loss of family members, alcoholism, cancer, angry God religion, sexual abuse, demanding parents, lost loves, and racism. I had a hard time moving from a chapter about chemo treatment to one describing an incredibly over-the-top, slapstick-y fiasco of a wedding to another describing conversations with the dead who have messages to be delivered. I also had a hard time remembering which of the Supremes was dealing with which crisis.
By the end I couldn’t say if the three women were characters or caricatures. And I was eager to get to the last page just to get it all over with. I have concluded that this just isn’t my type of book.
January 12, 2023
I confess it was the cover that got my attention but it was the story that drew me in. Sometimes it just pays off to judge a book by its cover. In this story, the Supremes aren't Diana Ross and company but Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean. These lifelong friends have a strong bond with one another, seeing each other through the ups and downs, the good and bad, and whatever else life brings their way. We also meet husbands, friends, and a slew of others who cross their paths. Some lovable, some eccentric, some assholes (yes, Richmond, I'm talking about you), and even some dead folks. Truthfully, Richmond does have some redeeming qualities which come out as the story moves along. And of course, we get to sit in and listen to all the gossip at the "All-You-Can-Eat. The cast is relatable and likable flaws and all. The story flowed along at a good pace and before I knew it, it was over. I laughed, I cried, I even shook my head at times and I loved every minute of it. And until I get my greedy little hands on the sequel I'll be thinking hmm...I wonder what the Supremes are doing right now. Kudos Mr. Moore for writing such wonderful female characters. It's a rare ability and fine job you have done.
August 18, 2013
Audio book performed by Adenrele Ojo and Pamella D'Pella.
Odette, Clarice and Barbara Jean have been best friends since high school, when they would meet their friends at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, listening to music and enjoying soft drinks and finger foods. In keeping with the music of the day, they were christened The Supremes, but unlike their namesakes they have stayed together through thick and thin. They’ve married and raised children in Plainview, a small town in southern Indiana near the Kentucky border, and seen each other through the ups and downs of life. Now in their fifties they continue to face the challenges of middle age with courage and grace, and knowing their best friends will stand by and help them through anything.
Moore has crafted a delightful story of friendship and life lived with grace and flavored with humor. There are plenty of serious issues here – infidelity, alcoholism, racism, cancer – but the women face things with their eyes wide open and with the certain knowledge that their friends will stand by them. I had to keep reminding myself that this is written by a man, because he writes the women so well – the way they think and react seems real to me.
The novel is told in alternating time periods, taking us back in time to the beginnings of the Supremes’ friendship and some secrets they’d just as soon forget. Moore handles this back-and-forth in time quite well; I never felt lost or confused by changes in time or narrator. There are some over-the-top moments of hilarity, including a wedding disaster that had me guffawing out loud. Some ghosts make regular appearances (including a tipsy Eleanor Roosevelt), which could easily have gotten old and out-of-hand, but which Moore handled in such a way that I totally accepted the premise and was never distracted by it.
Adenrele Ojo and Pamella D'Pella do a great job of performing the audio book. They have good pacing, and the skill with a wide variety of voices to handle the myriad characters.
My only complaint is that I think he copped out with the ending. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want there to be any spoiler here, but it seemed as if he decided to end it so a sequel might be possible. This is a small quibble, really, because I sure am hoping there IS a sequel. I love The Supremes and would welcome a chance to read more about them and their adventures in life.
Odette, Clarice and Barbara Jean have been best friends since high school, when they would meet their friends at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, listening to music and enjoying soft drinks and finger foods. In keeping with the music of the day, they were christened The Supremes, but unlike their namesakes they have stayed together through thick and thin. They’ve married and raised children in Plainview, a small town in southern Indiana near the Kentucky border, and seen each other through the ups and downs of life. Now in their fifties they continue to face the challenges of middle age with courage and grace, and knowing their best friends will stand by and help them through anything.
Moore has crafted a delightful story of friendship and life lived with grace and flavored with humor. There are plenty of serious issues here – infidelity, alcoholism, racism, cancer – but the women face things with their eyes wide open and with the certain knowledge that their friends will stand by them. I had to keep reminding myself that this is written by a man, because he writes the women so well – the way they think and react seems real to me.
The novel is told in alternating time periods, taking us back in time to the beginnings of the Supremes’ friendship and some secrets they’d just as soon forget. Moore handles this back-and-forth in time quite well; I never felt lost or confused by changes in time or narrator. There are some over-the-top moments of hilarity, including a wedding disaster that had me guffawing out loud. Some ghosts make regular appearances (including a tipsy Eleanor Roosevelt), which could easily have gotten old and out-of-hand, but which Moore handled in such a way that I totally accepted the premise and was never distracted by it.
Adenrele Ojo and Pamella D'Pella do a great job of performing the audio book. They have good pacing, and the skill with a wide variety of voices to handle the myriad characters.
My only complaint is that I think he copped out with the ending. I don’t want to say more because I don’t want there to be any spoiler here, but it seemed as if he decided to end it so a sequel might be possible. This is a small quibble, really, because I sure am hoping there IS a sequel. I love The Supremes and would welcome a chance to read more about them and their adventures in life.
April 11, 2013
When I saw the title, I was immediately drawn to The Supreme’s at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat, anticipating a cozy, witty, and insightful, Southern fiction sort of story and I was not disappointed. The story follows three good friends, nicknamed the Supremes, over the course of an eventful year. Odette, a protagonist, can see spirits, and deceased characters, including the late First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, play an entertaining and important role in the story. This is light reading, yet a very gripping story. I finished the book over the course of a day, and characters and their stories were foremost in my mind even when I wasn’t reading. This novel reads like Southern Gothic fiction, though it is set in Indiana. I did a double take when I saw it was written by a man. The female Supremes were very well written. I would recommend the Supremes and their story to fans of Joshilyn Jackson, Sarah Addison Allen, Fannie Flagg and Maeve Binchy. I look forward to reading Mr. Moore’s next book. Highly recommended!
June 27, 2013
This was really almost a three.
Yeah, I know -- it's the same chicklit people keep writing over and over. Three middle-aged women are friends, and between the three of them we have infidelity, alcoholism, debating whether to pursue a long-lost love, and illness. They live in a small town which doesn't happen to be in the deep south this time but may as well be. The characters are not particularly fleshed out; the issues are not new or dealt with in a new way. But still, I could be a little forgiving of what was basically a pleasant and undemanding audio listen for my long commute. It was even kind of engaging at times.
Except the book jumped the shark with that ridiculous wedding about 3/4 of the way through. It's cheap when authors try to make the reader laugh by creating a few characters who are such obvious caricatures and are basically begging you to hate them. And then the author delivers their comeuppance in a way that is so unbelievably over the top that, alone in the car, I found myself snorting and rolling my eyes when I should really have been paying more attention to the road. Just like it annoys me when authors try too hard to get me to like their characters, it also annoys me when authors try to hard to get me to hate their characters, and it only gets worse when ridiculous jokes are made at their expense. There were also a lot of highly visual scenes that basically had "Please! Make me into a movie!" written all over them, which didn't exactly enhance their believability.
So I'm going with two stars, although I'm sure a more forgiving reader would certainly give this three (and it seems many have rated it even higher, judging from its high average goodreads rating). If this is your type of book and you haven't already read ten like it, you'll probably enjoy it more than I did.
Yeah, I know -- it's the same chicklit people keep writing over and over. Three middle-aged women are friends, and between the three of them we have infidelity, alcoholism, debating whether to pursue a long-lost love, and illness. They live in a small town which doesn't happen to be in the deep south this time but may as well be. The characters are not particularly fleshed out; the issues are not new or dealt with in a new way. But still, I could be a little forgiving of what was basically a pleasant and undemanding audio listen for my long commute. It was even kind of engaging at times.
Except the book jumped the shark with that ridiculous wedding about 3/4 of the way through. It's cheap when authors try to make the reader laugh by creating a few characters who are such obvious caricatures and are basically begging you to hate them. And then the author delivers their comeuppance in a way that is so unbelievably over the top that, alone in the car, I found myself snorting and rolling my eyes when I should really have been paying more attention to the road. Just like it annoys me when authors try too hard to get me to like their characters, it also annoys me when authors try to hard to get me to hate their characters, and it only gets worse when ridiculous jokes are made at their expense. There were also a lot of highly visual scenes that basically had "Please! Make me into a movie!" written all over them, which didn't exactly enhance their believability.
So I'm going with two stars, although I'm sure a more forgiving reader would certainly give this three (and it seems many have rated it even higher, judging from its high average goodreads rating). If this is your type of book and you haven't already read ten like it, you'll probably enjoy it more than I did.
March 24, 2013
This is a warm, richly-woven book that is both moving and funny that follows the lives of three friends who live in Indiana. The ‘Supremes’ are in their 50s and have known each other since high school, and they are each other’s closest friends and allies. Odette was born in a sycamore tree and seems to be completely fearless in life – until she discovers that her hot flushes are more sinister than just the change of life – especially when her dead Mama comes visiting in the small hours, with a drunken Mrs Roosevelt in tow. Meanwhile upright and proper Clarice has had enough of her husband. She gave up a glittering career as a concert pianist to become a wife and mother, has made her bed with her gorgeous but unfaithful husband, but now feels that life owes her more. And Barbara Jean, the most beautiful of them all, hides a tragic past and a love affair from long ago that has repercussions even after her husband dies.
The characterisation in this novel is superb. I laughed and cried along with the central characters, but there are a host of minor characters that are equally as well drawn. Some of the scenes are also hysterically funny. I can’t give you the details, but there is a wedding scene that will make you cry with laughter, and some of the shenanigans that Odette’s ghosts get up to will certainly provoke a guffaw. I love this novel for its quirky unfolding of life in a small American town, with the focal point being Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat Diner.
This is a novel about love and relationships, gossip and laughter, but above it is a story of enduring friendship. This is a quirky and utterly delightful read. I can’t believe this is a debut novel – it’s so well-crafted!
The characterisation in this novel is superb. I laughed and cried along with the central characters, but there are a host of minor characters that are equally as well drawn. Some of the scenes are also hysterically funny. I can’t give you the details, but there is a wedding scene that will make you cry with laughter, and some of the shenanigans that Odette’s ghosts get up to will certainly provoke a guffaw. I love this novel for its quirky unfolding of life in a small American town, with the focal point being Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat Diner.
This is a novel about love and relationships, gossip and laughter, but above it is a story of enduring friendship. This is a quirky and utterly delightful read. I can’t believe this is a debut novel – it’s so well-crafted!
March 4, 2013
Oh my... I am still trying to figure out how I possibly could have enjoyed this book so much.
Edward Kelsey Moore is somewhat of a miracle worker. He managed to write a story that will offend nearly every person who reads it at some point and yet entertain those same people in a way that will leave them baffled and confused. Most ingenious!
I literally laughed out loud (and sniffed a few tears, I admit) while reading 'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat'. And I have to disagree with some of the other reviewers and say that I actually did like the ending.
I have changed this review four times in as many days starting out with two stars, then three, four and now I have finally given it the five stars that it deserves.
Read it and enjoy!
Edward Kelsey Moore is somewhat of a miracle worker. He managed to write a story that will offend nearly every person who reads it at some point and yet entertain those same people in a way that will leave them baffled and confused. Most ingenious!
I literally laughed out loud (and sniffed a few tears, I admit) while reading 'The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat'. And I have to disagree with some of the other reviewers and say that I actually did like the ending.
I have changed this review four times in as many days starting out with two stars, then three, four and now I have finally given it the five stars that it deserves.
Read it and enjoy!
August 31, 2017
Moore is a natural storyteller, vividly bringing to life the world of Plainview, Indiana. Full of interesting, sometimes quirky, characters, both loveable and despicable, the novel focuses on three female friends in late middle age. Descriptions grab you, are entirely integral to the plot, and never go on too long. I found really intriguing the historical aspect of this community of people who had grown up together in the 1960's, when, for instance, mixed race couples were not acceptable, up to the present day of the novel when things had changed for the better. There's comedy and pathos, the story never lags, and it's one of those books that leaves you wanting more.
November 19, 2024
Really good story about three best friends who were named the Supremes by their friends back in high school and who always stuck together through everything, sickness and health, crazy husbands and crazy family members. Earl's All You Can Eat is the gathering point for the neighborhood and the Supremes have their own table there because they have been coming there for so long and everyone knows them. This story is funny and heartwarming, definitely recommend, and there is a movie made from this book on Hulu right now, so I will definitely watch to connect with them again.
April 30, 2017
I first heard about this book from a review in a local, small-town newspaper, and was convinced I needed to give it a try. I absolutely adored it. My only regret is that I was out of town and didn't get to meet Moore when he was in Indianapolis the night before I finished it. It would be hard to pick a funniest or most poignant part of the book, because there were so many. I lost track of how many times I laughed out loud during Sharon's wedding, and I believe I cried and laughed almost nonstop during the last 40 pages.
I liked the fact that Moore brought some of his classical training to the book in Clarice's musical talent, and every time he mentioned a piece, I called it up on youtube to listen to it (except the Pachelbel at the wedding); you could make a mixtape out of it.
This is the second book in a row I'd read with ghosts, but in this case, it wasn't a gimmick, but a way to bring some insight and entertainment. You could have a great discussion about predicting Moore's opinions on such things as the afterlife, religion, and race relations through interpreting the actions of the characters.
There are too many great quotes to keep track, but one of my favorites was Clarice's mom, "Happiness is the first sign you're living wrong".
I've always believed that one accurate measure of a book is how much you think about it after you've read it, and I know this one will stay with me for years to come.
UPDATE: April, 2017
I had a chance to apply for a grant to have Mr. Moore come to my school, and we were selected. Thanks to Indiana Humanities for making the visit possible!
I liked the fact that Moore brought some of his classical training to the book in Clarice's musical talent, and every time he mentioned a piece, I called it up on youtube to listen to it (except the Pachelbel at the wedding); you could make a mixtape out of it.
This is the second book in a row I'd read with ghosts, but in this case, it wasn't a gimmick, but a way to bring some insight and entertainment. You could have a great discussion about predicting Moore's opinions on such things as the afterlife, religion, and race relations through interpreting the actions of the characters.
There are too many great quotes to keep track, but one of my favorites was Clarice's mom, "Happiness is the first sign you're living wrong".
I've always believed that one accurate measure of a book is how much you think about it after you've read it, and I know this one will stay with me for years to come.
UPDATE: April, 2017
I had a chance to apply for a grant to have Mr. Moore come to my school, and we were selected. Thanks to Indiana Humanities for making the visit possible!
April 22, 2018
3.5 stars rounded up.
This was a cute story, a little light on character and story development, but a very funny and entertaining tale of a trio of black women nicknamed "The Supremes" who grew up in a small town in Southern Indiana in the '50s and '60s -- an insight into black America that isn't seen very often in literature or film.
The characters are warm and relatable in a Tyler Perry movie kind of way -- a great, easy read for anyone who appreciates stories about small town life and looking back.
This was a cute story, a little light on character and story development, but a very funny and entertaining tale of a trio of black women nicknamed "The Supremes" who grew up in a small town in Southern Indiana in the '50s and '60s -- an insight into black America that isn't seen very often in literature or film.
The characters are warm and relatable in a Tyler Perry movie kind of way -- a great, easy read for anyone who appreciates stories about small town life and looking back.
July 30, 2015
This book is an unadulterated delight from start to finish. It's the story of three women: Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean, who become friends as children growing up in Indiana and manage to remain so through years of heartbreak, struggle, and—thankfully—a whole lot of laughter. Dubbed “The Supremes” in their younger years while hanging out at Big Earl's buffet restaurant, aptly named The All-You-Can-Eat, the three friends rely on each other when the challenges of life threaten to overwhelm them.
The Supremes do dish themselves up plenty of trouble right along with the food on the buffet line at Big Earl's, but the novel never sinks too far into darkness. Moore's writing is way too witty for that. With hilarious antics from an overzealous cousin planning her daughter's wedding, a turban-clad would-be psychic peddling bogus fortunes, and—my personal favorite—the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt (who likes to hit the sauce from time to time), there's never a dull moment in Plainview, and The Supremes are often right at the center of it all.
I listened to an audio version of this book, and I highly recommend you do the same. Not one, but TWO fabulous readers bring the characters to vivid life. The jokes struck me as even funnier hearing them aloud. I would be driving to work or fixing my hair in the mornings or any number of other boring daily tasks, but in my head I was belly-up to the table at Big Earl's, listening in on all the gossip of the day.
And dear Lord, some of that gossip is juicy. I just about fell over laughing when Clarice's famously religious mother sets up shop outside a strip club and yells through a bullhorn, “You are a child of God! Stop what you're doing!”
This is the kind of book I would buy as a gift for people I really, really like. It gave me more warm fuzzies than even the loudest, most bedazzled Christmas sweater. If you're anything like me, you'll want to put it on, wear it around, and have your picture taken in it.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
The Supremes do dish themselves up plenty of trouble right along with the food on the buffet line at Big Earl's, but the novel never sinks too far into darkness. Moore's writing is way too witty for that. With hilarious antics from an overzealous cousin planning her daughter's wedding, a turban-clad would-be psychic peddling bogus fortunes, and—my personal favorite—the ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt (who likes to hit the sauce from time to time), there's never a dull moment in Plainview, and The Supremes are often right at the center of it all.
I listened to an audio version of this book, and I highly recommend you do the same. Not one, but TWO fabulous readers bring the characters to vivid life. The jokes struck me as even funnier hearing them aloud. I would be driving to work or fixing my hair in the mornings or any number of other boring daily tasks, but in my head I was belly-up to the table at Big Earl's, listening in on all the gossip of the day.
And dear Lord, some of that gossip is juicy. I just about fell over laughing when Clarice's famously religious mother sets up shop outside a strip club and yells through a bullhorn, “You are a child of God! Stop what you're doing!”
This is the kind of book I would buy as a gift for people I really, really like. It gave me more warm fuzzies than even the loudest, most bedazzled Christmas sweater. If you're anything like me, you'll want to put it on, wear it around, and have your picture taken in it.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
July 12, 2024
The Supreme's at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat is a sassy and hilarious story about 3 African-American ladies dealing with the trials and tribulations of life. Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean each narrate their story or the other's through the book. The novel spans from about 1950s to maybe even today, I think. I'm not positive but I think I remember reading about someone reaching for a phone in their purse, which led me to believe that. The narrator is most of the time Odette but changes to either Clarice or Barbara Jean when the details of their lives or how they're feeling is more personnel. Frankly I wasn't thrilled with the shift in voice. It didn't flow and sometimes was a little confusing. It made me concentrate primarily on the plot as a whole more than on each character. The rhythm of the novel was fairly fast past and made me laugh out loud continuously. That was refreshing. Edward Kesley Moore was obviously an African-American woman in another life because the voices of these three women, as the other female characters in the novel were spot on. There are some really funny quotes from this book and I suggest you check them out on here. In the end I gave this book 3 stars because I liked it but I can't say I really liked it. Actually I would have given it 3,5 stars. Come on Goodreads give us that blasted half star option, especially since books can be rated overall 3,75 stars. Really? The problems I had with it are stated above but also some parts were predictable and the novel didn't contain anything particularly different concerning the plot. I suggest you pick it up if you want a light and fast read. It would definitely make a great movie. I can see Octavia Butler playing the role of Odette.
April 6, 2014
I totally enjoyed The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat. Where else could you encounter such a wonderful cast of characters that includes the cartwheeling-flask-sipping-fox-stole-wearing ghost of Eleanor Roosevelt? In this serio-comic walk through the decades-long friendship of Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean ("The Supremes") the reader is treated to well defined characters, the highs and lows in their lives, the light moments as well as the tragedies they have endured, a surprising turn of events, and one sublime almost-wedding. This is a love story: the love shared among The Supremes (in spite of and because of their unique faults, quirks, and history); the love of the men in their lives; and, for some of them, learning to love and accept themselves.
A well-balanced story that will have you laughing out loud one minute, and crying the next.
Well done Edward Kelsey Moore, well done.
A well-balanced story that will have you laughing out loud one minute, and crying the next.
Well done Edward Kelsey Moore, well done.
January 1, 2015
Very impressive style: funny, witty, heartfelt. All the characters, especially the female ones are alive, vivid and sparkling and the story doesn't want to be more than what it is: touching, soothing, makes you believe in love and friendship, triggers a good laugh. A real tingling bubble bath for the soul! (But thankfully not the glittery-pink one and not that light at all...)
________________________
A könyv, aminek hetekig nem tudtam megjegyezni, sőt tudatosítani a címét… Most meg már nagy büszkén kiáltanám én is a szélbe, hogy „Szikomorfán születtem!” Mert aki szikomorfán születik az karakán, dacos, erős, bátor, soha semmi vész nem érheti.
Edward Kelsey Moore stílusa férfi létére roppant megkapó: kedves, szívhez szóló és irtóra humoros. Karakterei, főleg a nők, csak úgy sziporkáznak. A könyv pedig nem akar több lenni, mint ami: egy megható, elringató, nevetni- és szeretni való történet, melynek hála, életemben először nem bántam volna, ha késnek a vonatok, és tovább zakatolhatok a lányokkal… Igazi bizsergető habfürdő a léleknek! (De szerencsére nem az eperillatú, habos-babos fajtából!)
Egy gandzsányit és egy Mrs. Eleanor Rooseveltnyit bővebben:
http://miamonakonyveldeje.blogspot.hu...
________________________
A könyv, aminek hetekig nem tudtam megjegyezni, sőt tudatosítani a címét… Most meg már nagy büszkén kiáltanám én is a szélbe, hogy „Szikomorfán születtem!” Mert aki szikomorfán születik az karakán, dacos, erős, bátor, soha semmi vész nem érheti.
Edward Kelsey Moore stílusa férfi létére roppant megkapó: kedves, szívhez szóló és irtóra humoros. Karakterei, főleg a nők, csak úgy sziporkáznak. A könyv pedig nem akar több lenni, mint ami: egy megható, elringató, nevetni- és szeretni való történet, melynek hála, életemben először nem bántam volna, ha késnek a vonatok, és tovább zakatolhatok a lányokkal… Igazi bizsergető habfürdő a léleknek! (De szerencsére nem az eperillatú, habos-babos fajtából!)
Egy gandzsányit és egy Mrs. Eleanor Rooseveltnyit bővebben:
http://miamonakonyveldeje.blogspot.hu...
November 26, 2013
My only complaint about this book is that it's Edward Kelsey Moore's debut novel, which means I can't go out and buy up all the other books he's written and revel in more wonderful storytelling by this gifted author. (I'm willing to forgive him if it turns out that he's working on his next book.)
The characters' voices were clear, strong and authentic. Mr. Moore captured these women beautifully, with their quirks and foibles and strengths. Just when I thought I knew where the plot was headed, it veered off in an entirely different--and thoroughly credible--direction.
One other thing: it's been a lot of years since I read a book that was, quite literally, laugh-out-loud funny. This one had a number of unexpected moments or turns of phrase that were so perfect and hilarious that I was glad to be in the privacy of my home when I read them.
If you're looking for a story of strong women, enduring friendships, and more than a few encounters with the unexpected--and you're looking to turn that last page with a sigh that says, "Uh-huh. That's exactly as it should be."--this is the book for you.
The characters' voices were clear, strong and authentic. Mr. Moore captured these women beautifully, with their quirks and foibles and strengths. Just when I thought I knew where the plot was headed, it veered off in an entirely different--and thoroughly credible--direction.
One other thing: it's been a lot of years since I read a book that was, quite literally, laugh-out-loud funny. This one had a number of unexpected moments or turns of phrase that were so perfect and hilarious that I was glad to be in the privacy of my home when I read them.
If you're looking for a story of strong women, enduring friendships, and more than a few encounters with the unexpected--and you're looking to turn that last page with a sigh that says, "Uh-huh. That's exactly as it should be."--this is the book for you.
June 4, 2013
This book is certainly a departure for me. I picked it without reading the blurb but the novel enjoyed high ratings and that was enough for me. When I discovered that the story was about three middle-aged African-American women and their lives, I was a little daunted. Call it an irrational phobia, but I resisted reading books about black people ever since I had “Cry the Beloved Country” as my school literature text so many years ago!
Poignantly, satirically and with much humour, the author shows us how three strong, funny women go through the trials and tribulations of life over the period of four decades. Especially enjoyed the satire and humour; even the poignant moments were treated with a touch of irreverence that makes it impossible to shed tears. What made the book more interesting was Odette’s ability to see dead people, and the occasional, timely interactions between her and the dead flowed with wit and entertainment.
What can I say…. I love the beginning, the middle, and the end. Highly recommended to all my adult goodreads friends!
Poignantly, satirically and with much humour, the author shows us how three strong, funny women go through the trials and tribulations of life over the period of four decades. Especially enjoyed the satire and humour; even the poignant moments were treated with a touch of irreverence that makes it impossible to shed tears. What made the book more interesting was Odette’s ability to see dead people, and the occasional, timely interactions between her and the dead flowed with wit and entertainment.
What can I say…. I love the beginning, the middle, and the end. Highly recommended to all my adult goodreads friends!
March 18, 2013
Wonderful slice of life story that I read from start to finish in two sittings. I liked that the characters were realistic and believable, with a few colorful and quirky characters along the way, as well as a few good black men thrown in for good measure. Mr. Earl, James and Lester all get kudos from me. Have mixed emotions about the Chick and Barbara Jean storyline. That situation felt sort of cliche to me. While many stories have been told about female friendships, Moore did a good job of capturing the subject matter from a male perspective. I would read other books by him.
July 7, 2013
2.5 Stars. Not much original or believable in this book for me. Found the narration confusing and annoying switching from 1st person Odette to third person throughout the book, and had a hard time staying interested. On the positive side, Odette is a great character, and her interaction with the ghosts kept me going to the unfortunate absurd ending.
This book has high ratings on GR's, but it was just not for me.
August 9, 2014
A light read, entertaining and amusing. Maybe a bit over the top.
January 12, 2025
Temptations From The Supremes
"The Supremes at Earl's -All-You-Can-Eat" is the first novel of Edward Kelsey Moore. The book is receiving a good deal of attention. I was attracted to the book by its catchy title, with its reference to the famous singing group of my adolescence and to the setting in a diner. I was also interested in the author as the Chicago-based Moore has enjoyed a long career as a cellist. It is thus not surprising that some of the best scenes and characters in Moore's novel involve music.
The book is set in a fictitious African American community called Leaning Tree in southern Indiana which forms part of a larger but still small town. The book takes place over four decades and tells of the long friendship between three women, Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean. As teen-agers in the late 1960's the girls hung out, with most of their peers in a diner called Earl's. The proprietor at the time was Big Earl, with his son, Little Earl eventually taking over the business. Because the three girls were so inseparable, they were dubbed The Supremes and they received their own personal table at Earl's. Over the years, they continue to meet at their table in Earl's, after church on Sundays and at other times. They often meet just in their trio but frequently the gatherings include their husbands, families, and friends.
The women are in their early 60's and aging and death are prominent themes. Each of the women, Odette, Clarice, and Barbara have made very different types of marriages, Odette to a stolid, faithful police officer, Clarice to a former football player and inveterate cheater, and Barbara Jean to a wealthy businessman. Their different relationships to their spouses is also central to their friendship and to the book.
The novel moves around substantially in time and focus. Moore develops the earlier lives of the Supremes in lengthy flashbacks. I found the narrative voice confusing. In scenes set in the present, Odette tends to narrate in the first person. Much of the rest of the book appears to be recounted in the third person.
The best-developed of the Supremes is Clarice who has endured the philanderings of her husband,Richmond, since the beginning of their marriage. As a young girl, Clarice had shown great promise on the piano, practiced for long hours, and took lessons from a gifted teacher. She gave up a possible performance career to marry Richmond and gives lessons to the young people in Leaning Tree. Clarice continues to play for herself and there are several effective scenes of her playing Beethoven piano sonatas matched to events in her life, including the virtuoso Waldstein sonata, the tragic and heroic Appasionata, and the sonata of farewell called Les Adieux. As a musician, Moore was able to bring the passion for music to life in the character of Clarice.
It is not easy for a male novelist to write about three women as his protagonists in a debut novel. Although the book has its moments, I don't think Moore succeeded. As suggested above, the voicing of the book is confusing. For the most part, the three Supremes were not well differentiated. There is a mix of comic, sad, and serious scenes in the book but much of it came across to me as trite and stereotyped. There was also a tendency to use extremes and eccentricities to an undue degree to work up interest in the characters and story. Several dead people, including Eleanor Roosevelt and the mother of one of the Supremes play key roles in the book as they come and talk to one of the characters. I didn't find the frequent appearance of these ghosts effective or particularly amusing. They distract from the author's attempt to offer a realistic portrayal of a long friendship among three African American women during a period of intense social change. Moore describes the social change reasonably well. But the characters of the Supremes remain for me sentimental and unconvincing.
The book makes no literary pretensions and might simply be read for what it is -- a story of a long close female friendship. Although there are elements of an appealing story in "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat", the book did not work for me. It was slow, mannered and overly-sentimental, and unconvincing.
Robin Friedman
"The Supremes at Earl's -All-You-Can-Eat" is the first novel of Edward Kelsey Moore. The book is receiving a good deal of attention. I was attracted to the book by its catchy title, with its reference to the famous singing group of my adolescence and to the setting in a diner. I was also interested in the author as the Chicago-based Moore has enjoyed a long career as a cellist. It is thus not surprising that some of the best scenes and characters in Moore's novel involve music.
The book is set in a fictitious African American community called Leaning Tree in southern Indiana which forms part of a larger but still small town. The book takes place over four decades and tells of the long friendship between three women, Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean. As teen-agers in the late 1960's the girls hung out, with most of their peers in a diner called Earl's. The proprietor at the time was Big Earl, with his son, Little Earl eventually taking over the business. Because the three girls were so inseparable, they were dubbed The Supremes and they received their own personal table at Earl's. Over the years, they continue to meet at their table in Earl's, after church on Sundays and at other times. They often meet just in their trio but frequently the gatherings include their husbands, families, and friends.
The women are in their early 60's and aging and death are prominent themes. Each of the women, Odette, Clarice, and Barbara have made very different types of marriages, Odette to a stolid, faithful police officer, Clarice to a former football player and inveterate cheater, and Barbara Jean to a wealthy businessman. Their different relationships to their spouses is also central to their friendship and to the book.
The novel moves around substantially in time and focus. Moore develops the earlier lives of the Supremes in lengthy flashbacks. I found the narrative voice confusing. In scenes set in the present, Odette tends to narrate in the first person. Much of the rest of the book appears to be recounted in the third person.
The best-developed of the Supremes is Clarice who has endured the philanderings of her husband,Richmond, since the beginning of their marriage. As a young girl, Clarice had shown great promise on the piano, practiced for long hours, and took lessons from a gifted teacher. She gave up a possible performance career to marry Richmond and gives lessons to the young people in Leaning Tree. Clarice continues to play for herself and there are several effective scenes of her playing Beethoven piano sonatas matched to events in her life, including the virtuoso Waldstein sonata, the tragic and heroic Appasionata, and the sonata of farewell called Les Adieux. As a musician, Moore was able to bring the passion for music to life in the character of Clarice.
It is not easy for a male novelist to write about three women as his protagonists in a debut novel. Although the book has its moments, I don't think Moore succeeded. As suggested above, the voicing of the book is confusing. For the most part, the three Supremes were not well differentiated. There is a mix of comic, sad, and serious scenes in the book but much of it came across to me as trite and stereotyped. There was also a tendency to use extremes and eccentricities to an undue degree to work up interest in the characters and story. Several dead people, including Eleanor Roosevelt and the mother of one of the Supremes play key roles in the book as they come and talk to one of the characters. I didn't find the frequent appearance of these ghosts effective or particularly amusing. They distract from the author's attempt to offer a realistic portrayal of a long friendship among three African American women during a period of intense social change. Moore describes the social change reasonably well. But the characters of the Supremes remain for me sentimental and unconvincing.
The book makes no literary pretensions and might simply be read for what it is -- a story of a long close female friendship. Although there are elements of an appealing story in "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat", the book did not work for me. It was slow, mannered and overly-sentimental, and unconvincing.
Robin Friedman
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