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Elmwood Springs #3

by Fannie Flagg, Марина Извекова (Translator), Фэнни Флэгг

Фэнни Флэгг - редкая по нынешним временам писательница, ее нежные, добрые и мудрые книги затрагивают лучшие струны в душе человека.
Жизнь - очень странная штука. Только что неутомимая Элнер взобралась на фиговое дерево, чтобы набрать сладких спелых плодов, а в следующий миг она уже энергично общается с Господом Богом и обитателями рая.
И пока Элнер наслаждается небесными беседами, на земле творится настоящее светопреставление. Ее нервическая племянница Норма упала в обморок, ее приятель Лютер ухнул вместе со своим грузовиком в канаву, а соседка Вербена бросилась штудировать Библию. Глядя на все эти
безобразия, Господь пришел к выводу, что рано пока Элнер в р

Genres: Fiction, Humor, Book Club, Southern, Audiobook, Chick Lit, Contemporary

301 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Fannie Flagg began writing and producing television specials at age nineteen and went on to distinguish herself as an actress and writer in television, films, and the theater. She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (which was produced by Universal Pictures as "Fried Green Tomatoes"), Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!, Standing in the Rainbow, and A Redbird Christmas.

Flagg’s film script for "Fried Green Tomatoes" was nominated for both the Academy Award and the Writers Guild of America Award and won the highly regarded Scripters Award. She lives in California and Alabama.

Reviews

[Terri · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book on impulse at Borders, before it closed (boo hoo), because it was very cheap. I loved "Fried Green Tomatoes" and Candid Camera so I was ready to enjoy this novel by Fannie Flagg. I made a couple false starts as I began to read. I was somewhat distracted by a busy life and the featured small town quirkiness just didn't grab my attention at first. Then, my dear friend, Lillian, passed away at age 90. For years, I spent most Saturday lunches with Lillian. Suddenly, that privilege was gone. I picked up this novel, seeking to occupy my restless brain for a bit. I had no idea that Aunt Elner Shimfissle would capture my heart and help me through the initial stages of grief with her zest for life and humorous outlook. The only similarities between Aunt Elner and my friend, Lillian, may have been the number of people they touched and their habit of taking people at face value. Aunt Elner saw the best in everyone she encountered and didn't fuss over the petty details that drag us down too often. She had questions about everything but didn't worry about whether the answers fit with her own view of reality. She helped people without thought of personal gain or gratitude. She accepted everyone, warts and all.
Fannie Flagg has written a book of comfort for those of us who wonder and worry about the meaning of it all. Her characters are common folk, who share my own dismay at the state of the world and its occupants. She addresses the horror and confusion of a country that suddenly realizes that its own self-perception may not be shared by the rest of the world. Aunt Elner’s quiet, simple life, or more significantly, her passing. is an engaging illustration of the butterfly effect….and the quickening winds sweep the lucky reader up on a delightful journey.

[Phrynne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my first by this author so I knew what to expect but this one seemed to be a bit too whimsical at first and started to border on the silly (for my taste that is). But then just as I started muttering under my breath about having to give up soon if it kept on like that something wonderful and very funny happened. Then of course I was hooked and raced through to the end. So, not the best book she has written, but a pleasant way to pass a Sunday afternoon.

[ꕥ Ange_Lives_To_Read ꕥ · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is part of a trilogy about the citizens of Elmwood Springs, Missouri. I've unabashedly adored all three of them; I'm sad when I finish and I wish that I lived there and knew these people.

My love is not blind. Can't Wait to Get to Heaven was about as silly a book as you'll ever come across, but I don't care. Elner Shinfissle (a name that would enrage me in a book that I didn't like) is a sweet, elderly midwestern lady who has basically touched the lives of everyone she's ever met. She appreciates all the beauty and kindness in the world and makes others see it, too. With no children of her own, she is the beloved Aunt Elner to the whole of Elmwood Springs, for whom she is a friend, teacher, baker, advisor, volunteer, depending on what each person or group needs.

Aunt Elner steadfastly refuses to move from her farm closer to town, which worries everyone as she is really too old to be out there by herself. This same stubbornness explains why she falls out of a fig tree one day, is rushed to the hospital, and declared dead.

The reaction of the whole wonderful cast of characters to the news of Elner's untimely death is both touching and funny. Meanwhile, Elner is wandering around in heaven, marveling at the decor and making the acquaintance of all kinds of people she's always wanted to meet, including God and Thomas Edison (she is a huge fan of his invention, electricity.)

If you read this plot summary and roll your eyes and yawn, I get it. But if you are ever in the mood for a lovely, feel-good break from real life, I encourage you to give this (or one of the other two in the series) a chance.

Edited to add: I forgot to mention, if you can possibly get your hands on the audio book, and have Fannie Flagg read this to you with her lovely southern-belle drawl, it makes it that much better.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had a smile on my face for the entire 365 pages of this charming book.
It is funny, but not LOL funny, and it definitely has a more serious undertone questioning the meaning of life.

Mrs. Elner Shimfissle is a very smart elderly woman whose views on life and the world may seem a bit off-kilter at times, but Lord knows Elner is just curious about the age-old question: “Why are we here?”

This book written in 2006 turned out (for me) to be a totally ‘feel good’ story in 2020.

Apart from the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” this is my first Fannie Flagg book and I couldn’t be more pleased. I’ll be reading more from her very soon.

For those foodies out there – there are some yummy sounding recipes at the end of the book, to name a few:
Mrs. McWilliams’ Corn Bread
Irene Goodnights’s Green Bean Funeral Casserole
Aunt Elner’s Pecan Pie

Enjoy!

[J.C. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I expected too much from this book after reading the delightful and moving "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". I found "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven" repetitive and hackneyed, and just plain silly. The winning formula that Fanny Flagg lit upon with Idgie Threadgoode was hugely overdone in the case of sweet Mrs Elner Shimfissle, and I can't tell you how many, many times the story was retold to the inhabitants of Elmwood of how sweet old Elner had fallen off the ladder again. What would they do without her?
The book was filled with explanations rendered stolid by over-use of the pluperfect tense, and superfluous dialogue. I started skim-reading fairly early on, keeping going through curiosity as to what would happen in the plot, but the only interest for me was realising that the author was actually basing the story on a well-known miracle from the Bible (Luke Chapter 9, think). I'd better not say more about the biblical miracle as I don't want to introduce a spoiler for the many people who are likely to enjoy this book and find it humorous/helpful/realistic/anecdotal, all of which it probably was. It reminded me of the film "Steel Magnolias", which I think is really good, but the eccentric rural /small town Americans of a certain generation seem over-exaggerated in this particular Fannie Flagg book, as the bird-shooting husband was, for instance, in "Steel Magnolias". I do realise that I don't know anything about life in a small town in America; I'm just reporting how I reacted to the book.
I can see why Julie Myerson in The Guardian describes the story as "oozing with goodness and charm" but I certainly couldn't go along with the Daily Mail's advice to use a hankie as a bookmark. But then I'm probably turning into one of those grumpy old women that sweet old Elner Shimfissle sorts out, both before she falls out of the fig tree and after. And there's that fig tree -that's out of the Bible too. I remember somebody cursed it.

[Kimber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This begins on a note of hilarity & I thoroughly enjoyed the first 100 pages.

I feel that Flagg is at her best when she is in effect channeling her stories. This is where she fully embodies the essence of them- which is that it really unfolds as a "Wisdom " book. She teaches us that it's the simple things in life that are true.

The rest of the book just trodded along, lost pace and unfortunately lost its direction. I couldn't sustain interest or engagement. The plot points became weakened. I couldn't wait for it to end, reading quickly because it was fairly predictable at that point.

[Sarah Booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got these books on Audible read by the author which is quite nice to listen to, but then realized they were the Abridged version. WTF?! Why would anyone abridge a book?! Why would the author agree to that? For shame! Seriously, they wrote the full version that way for a reason.
The book, even abridged was great! I love the fantastical story about these wonder down home imperfect people in this Missouri town. Difficult relatives and trips to heaven, what more could you ask for?

[Negin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Elmwood Springs series, and it was a re-read for me. I loved reading it just as much as I did the first time. The characters are superb to the point where I am missing them so much. For me, that’s a sign of an amazing book.

Here are two of my favorite quotes:

Those Political Correctors
“I’m so sick and tired of all the whining and bellyaching about stuff that happened in the past, and God help you if you happen to be a white person, you can’t say a thing without somebody jumping down your throat calling you a racist. Everybody’s so damn sensitive anymore, you have to tiptoe around everything. Those Political Correctors are lurking in every corner just waiting to pounce…. Next they’ll be making us sing, ‘I’m dreaming of a multicolored Christmas.’ I tell you, I’m scared to open my mouth anymore and voice an honest opinion.”

Marriage
“Marriage. Isn’t it great? Each time you fall back in love with your wife, it gets better.”

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audio book read by Cassandra Campbell

From the dust jacket: Life is the strangest thing. One minute, Mrs Elner Shimfissle is up in her tree, picking figs, and the next thing she knows she is off on an adventure she never dreamed of, running into people she never in a million years expected to meet. Meanwhile, back home, Elner’s nervous, high-strung niece Norma faints and winds up in bed with a cold rag on her head; Elner’s neighbor Verbena rushes immediately to the Bible; her truck driver friend, Luther Griggs, whom Elner has known since he was a boy, runs his eighteen-wheeler into a ditch – and the entire town is thrown for a loop and left wondering, “What is life all about anyway?” Except for Tot Whooten, who owns Tot’s Tell it Like It IS beauty shop. Her main concern is that the end of the world might come before she can collect her social security.

My reactions:
This is a sweet, gentle tale of one woman’s influence on her community, that reminds us all to consider the cycle of life and how we fit into it. Flagg populates Elmwood Springs with colorful characters who, for all their eccentricity, are completely recognizable. We have a matriarch who touches everyone with her genuine kindness, straightforward advice, and simple life lessons. There are the local busybodies with hearts of gold who rally around to help anyone mired in one of life’s tragedies. And no community would be complete without the juvenile delinquent headed for a life of crime but for the kind person who sets him straight and gives him a reason to stay on the right path.

Is this an unrealistic community? Maybe, but I still recognize the parable. Flagg reminds me that the things I most cherish have nothing to do with material goods, and much to do with relationships I’ve developed over the years. It’s not great literature. It’s not even Flagg’s best work. But I did enjoy the time I spent with Elner and the residents of Elmwood Springs.

Cassandra Campbell does a good job on the audio; I particularly liked how she voiced some of the excitable characters like Norma and Tot.

[erigibbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Questo è un libro coccola.
Uno di quei libri che vi avvolge come un abbraccio.
Personaggi pazzerelli, in cui ci si può rivedere - io UGUALE a Norma, stessi livelli di ansia assurdi e leggendo di lei mi rendo conto di quanto pazzerella sia pure io 🫠, dialoghi assurdi e situazioni inverosimili che comunque ti rapiscono il cuoricino.
Vorrei essere più come Elner: a parte che ha campato arzilla più di me che ho 1/3 della sua età 😂 ma poi la fiducia nell’unanimità, l’amore per gli altri e il mondo tutto, vivere la vita come viene, rimboccandosi le maniche quando ce n’è bisogno, ma senza preoccuparsi prima del tempo. Una di quelle persone che se viene a mancare tuttə ne sono distrutti, tuttə ne sentono immediatamente la mancanza, perché quella persona ha sempre avuto un’influenza positiva nelle vite degli altri.
La quantità di sorrisoni esternati con questa lettura è stata davvero ampia.
Se avete bisogno di qualcosa di leggero, avvolgente come un abbraccio, dal profumo delizioso come una torta al caramello, che vi dia una sensazione di morbidezza, questo è il libro che fa per voi!

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartwarming and laugh-out-loud funny! A delightful look at how each person's influence can bigger than they'd ever dream and mean more to people than they'd ever know, just by being themselves. We also get a little glimpse at a version of Heaven you've probably never dreamed of, and southern charm that abounds throughout the novel. Let us all be an influence for good, like Elner Shimfissle... :)

Recommended by a co-worker, and so glad I followed up on it and actually read it!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laugh out loud funny, this book describes how any single person can greatly influence the lives of their neighbors. Elner Shimfissle is blessed with an inquiring mind and a large loving heart. In her eighties, or possibly nineties, she decides to make fig jam for her friends and falls out of the tree when attacked by wasps while picking figs. She doesn't know her age because she was born at home, the only record is in the family bible and her sister, Ida, buried that years ago so no one would know Ida's real age.

Elner is pronounced dead and her family and neighbors swing into action getting ready for her funeral. Her friends feed her cat and clean her house. Her obituary is prepared at the local paper. Even her favorite radio station airs the news of her demise. The number of requests at the florist is huge. Each person has a recollection of Elner, many of them funny, most of them sweet. Many people have good reasons to be glad they knew her.

In the meantime, Elner gets to go to heaven and ask all the questions she's had. Her first one: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I'm not telling the answer, but it's good to finally know.

Fannie Flagg has a large cast of characters in this book, but each one is so memorable it's easy to keep them all straight.

[Susan Ferguson Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funny and engaging story of the old South where neighbors really knew each other and really cared. And with quite a bit of spiritual insight as well. Good feelings come from reading it.

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elenor is the townsfolk matriarch. She's been there for everyone in one form or fashion. She's pleasant to be around and never passes judgment on anyone. She's a woman many instantly fall in love with.

No one knows her actual age, especially Elenor. She's imagined to be between 70-80 years of age. She seems eccentric but is a well rounded, fun loving woman. Her niece, Norma, worries so much about her but Elenor can take care of herself but at the same time, she's hardheaded. Norma told her not to climb her ladder to get any figs off her tree but what does she do? Climb the tree, disturb a wasp nest and falls from the ladder.

Elenor thinks she's awake and everyone is ignoring or can't hear her but she died and went to heaven. Unfortunately when she gets there, she finds out that heaven is not ready for her arrival.

A funny book to read. Hearing all the good things she did for others without ever understanding how many lives she touched with her kindness. The book addresses today's society compared to how the elders in the town was brought up. A book to read on a rainy or very cold day. Will make you smile and glad you read it.

[Sharon Huether · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author takes the reader back to Elmwood Springs , Missouri; where local resident Elner. Shimfissle has unbelievable experiences. Elner an older lady climbs up into a fig tree to pick the fruit and has a little accident.
The towns people assume the worst.
It’s mystery and comedy at it’s best with laugh out loud moments

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Checking off "a book your mother loves" for my 2015 reading challenge... she apparently has horrible taste.

[Evelina | AvalinahsBooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This is basically a sweet fairytale for adults. It's about an old lady who was a pillar for many people in the town. One day she died, and then... Sort of came back to life through an odd accident of sorts. Or more like, was wrongly announced dead - you decide. Anyway, she also saw the afterlife and came back to tell all her funny and oblivious neighbours and family members that life isn't about appearances, but rather about just being happy.

Sounds like it would be a religious story, but it's not. It's just sort of steeped in empathy and sweetness. It tries to challenge typical religious views even, although it challenges them in a very limited, comfortable way. Which brings me to the next point.

The story is very sweet and feel-good, but at times simplistic, and incredibly, incredibly white and American. And I don't mean because of the cast (although that's obviously also true), but because of the views. You'll see what I mean if you read it. They were mostly harmless and quaint, but a little dated and incredibly white, to the point where it's kind of funny and eye-rolly at times. Many things are like that in the story, and it's why I docked a star - because otherwise it was a very sweet and enjoyable book. There were many very "white baby boomer" kind of things - even the fact that life's about being happy is kind of a super white and privileged American thing to say. You wouldn't think to say that to someone from the poorer regions of the world where people starve and suffer. But these truths in such books are always supposed to be universal, and heaven is always American.

So like I said. Veeeeery white. But also mostly harmless! And quite cheering and upbeat. It was certainly enjoyable, and it's a super fast read.

Triggers: old lady [sort of] dies, someone loses a cat, there's attempted rape (although not described) and there's also a gay and trans side character mentioned, and they are both painted in a very negative light - not because of their orientation, but they just 'happen' to be written as bad people.

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[Rayni · Rating 5 out of 5]

My mom got this from the State library Talking Books. I immediately checked out the reviews & thought this was something she would love. Imagine my surprise when she announced Monday she did not like this book at all & wanted to send it back. It was too hard to understand. Huh??? I slipped the cartridge into the digital reader &, of course, it was too hard to understand: the reader sounded like a chipmunk. I slowed it down to "normal," then went one notch lower. This book snagged me good.

EDITED TO ADD: This is the first time I have read a Fannie Flagg book. Yes, read. Because off I ran to the library & picked up a hardbound copy of it. After all, I missed the first part of the book. We should have rewound it, but didn't. I could follow the reader & loved hearing her read it.

It was a satisfying read. I loved the little mysteries embedded in the story & how they were answered. I read somewhere to "prepare to laugh out loud, cry & fall in love with the characters." I did.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just re-read this book for the book club. Amazing how much I forgot since the last time. Still a good book. We had a lively discussion about the book and enjoyed the caramel cake one of our book club members made from the recipe in the back of the book. Funny and delicious! What more can you ask for?

[_nuovocapitolo_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fannie Flagg crea dipendenza, lo sapevate? Probabilmente non vi sto dicendo nulla di nuovo, ma per chi (come la sottoscritta) ha avuto la capa così tosta da scoprirla con un notevole ritardo sulla normale tabella di marcia, credetemi, leggere i suoi romanzi (anche a distanza di tempo) è come tornare a casa, rilassarsi in poltrona con una bella tazza di caffè fumante e una torta appena sfornata.La storia ha come protagonista un'ostinata, irriverente ed arzilla vecchietta che, con i suoi non ben precisati anni sulle spalle, continua imperterrita a vivere la sua vita con qualche acciacco, un sorriso sempre stampato sulle labbra e quel vitale senso di indipendenza che non lo ha mai abbandonata, nemmeno per un istante (con buona pace dell'ansiosa nipote Norma).

Elner Shimfissle è quella mamma protettiva, quel confessore paziente, quella parola pungente sputata in piena faccia, quell'abbraccio a lungo atteso per ogni singolo abitante della ridente quanto chiacchierata cittadina di Elmwood Springs. Eppure, tutto sembra precitare in una normale mattinata estiva quando la notizia dell'improvvisa dipartita dell'amata Elner inizia a spargersi a macchia d'olio, casa dopo casa, negozio dopo negozio, vita dopo vita. Se non fosse che Elner non è propriamente morta, morta, morta. Sì, lo sarebbe in pratica, ma non del tutto. E se ti fosse data una seconda possibilità? Se il tuo incontro con il Creatore non fosse un viaggio di sola andata, ma un fugace last minute da toccata e fuga? Fannie Flagg riesce ancora una volta a non dare nulla per scontato, a giocare con una sfrontata ironia e a mettere sul tavolo pensieri ed emozioni tutt'altro che frivoli e superficiali.

Aiutata, in questo caso, da una protagonista francamente irresistibile perchè Elner non soltanto è voce di una narrazione fresca e lineare, ma ci accompagna in un viaggio che scalda il cuore, che mette tutto il resto in secondo piano raccontando come la vita sia una, semplice ed immediata, e come tale deve essere vissuta. Credo di non aver mai riso così di gusto in vita mia. Mi sono ritrovata in Paradiso con le lacrime agli occhi, non riuscendo a rendermi conto se fosse effettivamente così surreale o plausibile in modo sorprendente. Per poi ritrovarmi buttata sulla Terra con tutte le sue conseguenze e quelle emozioni palpabili e vere che scaturiscono dai ricordi degli amici, vicini, conoscenti della tanto compianta Elner.

Ognuno di loro ci fa capire quanto la sua semplice presenza fosse stata determinante, quanti piccoli segni sia riuscita a lasciare nella vita di così tante, diverse persone. Non è forse quello che, in fondo, ci auguriamo? Lasciare un segno, seppur piccolo, nella vita di chi abbiamo incontrato o anche solo incrociato, nelle persone che abbiamo amato e anche di quelle che, a fatica, abbiamo sopportato. Ed Elner ci insegna che la bontà d'animo non passa mai di moda, che la gentilezza di un sorriso spontaneo o una carezza imprevista lasciata al momento giusto possono fare la differenza, cambiare quel nostro piccolo angolo di mondo e renderlo improvvisamente migliore.

E'un libro leggero, che fa andare a dormire sonni sereni.
Fannie Flagg, in questo romanzo, immagina e ci trasporta nel Suo Paradiso.
E' dolce, la sua visione, così come una fetta di torta al caramello.

La Flagg, in questo romanzo, azzarda risposte alle Domande, quelle la cui risposta non può essere né giusta e né sbagliata, come "Qual è il significato della vita?" e vi riporto qui la risposta:
"...la vita è come un giro sulle montagne russe, tutta sussulti, curve e sbandamenti, un su e giù dall'inizio alla fine (...) e tutto quel che bisogna fare è stare seduti a godersela".
Quindi le risposte che ci vengono date, mettono di buon umore.
Magari a tratti possono essere fin troppo ottimistiche e melense, ma suvvia, non sempre si vuole aver a che fare con la cruda realtà.
Dunque lo consiglio, se l'effetto che vogliamo avere leggendo questo libro, è quello di una tazza di the caldo, bevuta sul divano difronte ad un camino acceso.

[Gaetano Laureanti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una lettura divertente e deliziosa, come la torta del titolo!

E naturalmente l’adorabile vecchietta protagonista, zia Elner, con le sue perle di saggezza mi ha conquistato e qualche volta commosso, affrontando la vita (terrena e non) con semplicità e ironia anche nei momenti più drammatici.

Insomma, zia Elner applicava d'istinto le tecniche del problem solving molto prima che cominciassero a insegnarle nelle scuole di economia.

Tante risate e qualche riflessione sulla vita, con ottimismo, delicatezza e tanto altruismo.

E’ brava Fannie Flag nel farci sentire partecipi delle atmosfere di una provincia americana senza tempo, popolata da tanti personaggi pittoreschi, con le loro vite che, nella loro singolare unicità, convergono nell’affetto sincero per l’ultranovantenne Elner.

In appendice ho trovato con gradita sorpresa tutte le ricette dei manicaretti in cui ci si imbatte nel racconto: non vedo l’ora di provare almeno quelli più invitanti; per prima naturalmente la paradisiaca torta al caramello!

[Abril Camino · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bueno... me ha gustado, pero, teniendo en cuenta que venía con las expectativas de haber leído y releído «Tomates verdes fritos», se me ha quedado algo corto. Es una novela dulce y con mensaje (quizá con demasiado mensaje), entretenida de leer, pero que me ha dejado un poco indiferente al final.

[Beth Brekke · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may not be everyone's cup of tea but it certainly was mine (and I don't like tea). This novel deals with death in the most hilarious fashion and at the same time may inspire you to look at your life and the people around you. You might be surprised to learn that a simple word or action had deep meaning to another and your love and friendship may be missed more than you know when you depart. So what's after this life? It's probably not what Elner experienced and yet, in some way, it may be. It's nice to think that Heaven is a place you already know-with the addition of orange polka-dot squirrels. As a big fan of Billie Letts, I've had Fannie Flagg's books come up as recommendations more than once so I had to pick this up when I saw it at a thrift store for 50 cents. Sometimes the computer generated list gets it right. I could maybe nitpick a couple things but I enjoyed this book so much that I have to give it 5 stars! "It's not likely he could shoot himself between the eyes, throw the gun across the room, and then put a bucket on his head." With something quotable on about every other page, I found myself smiling to the very end. All the questions were answered and everyone got a happy ending--except maybe me as I will miss Aunt Elner Shimfissle and I have no idea what to read after my visit to Elmwood Springs.

[Saskia Marijke Niehorster · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have so far read two books from this writer and this is her third. The firs was Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, by far one of my favorite books to date. Although this new book takes place later on in time, the characters of this book are somewhat linked to the characters of the previous book "Welcome to the World, Baby Girl". It is a great book to read if life has hung you out to dry and the last thing you need is more drama. This book is a spoonful of honey when your life/throat is parched and itchy. It has a lot of love in it and a great message for all of us to strive to be better. I certainly would love to have a little more of Elner in me. At times I thoroughly enjoyed this book,though I had a bit of a problem digesting too sweet a story and suspending my disbelief. At one point the word fake sugar came into my mind out of nowhere, but it did compensate later on in the story, so I did not go into a diabetic comma, and the plot got to have more consistency and substance. I can't wait to die and go to heaven if it means sailing into the sunset and arriving back in the times of Torrey Pines Beach and buggy boards...375 pgs

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Fannie Flagg is a storyteller unlike any other. Her unique characters come alive on the page with charming southern manners and somewhat unusual personalities. In this novel, Elner Shimfissle (the name says it all) finds herself in heaven even as her friends are mourning her passing. It is an adventure of a lifetime, so to speak, and Elner embraces it with her whole being. Filled with humor, Flagg gives her readers a glimpse of heaven and its inhabitants that is amazing in its simplicity and goodness. Would that we all could have an Elner in our lives or aspire to be like her. This novel is a joy from beginning to end.

[Mom Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is the story of an elderly lady who has a near death experience and the people in her life both those she has known for years and those she meets in the hospital setting whose life she touches, this is a funny book, lots of great characters, fanny flagg also wrote fried green tomatoes, i watched the movie and wasn't that impressed but maybe I would like the book better, some of the characters in this story are also in welcome to the world baby girl.

[Angie Head · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book seemed a bit iffy to me when the premise is the main character dying, going to heaven, and coming back to life became apparent. However, it wasn’t a “true” story like some other heavenly tour books that have recently been popular. What I enjoyed so much was the characters and their relationships with a healthy dose of humor that made it a worthwhile read for me.

[Kris (My Novelesque Life) · Rating 4 out of 5]

2006 - 4 STARS

I love Flagg's small town southern characters - quirky, heartwarming and funny. I so wanna visit! This kind of Heaven sounds grand.

2020 4 Stars

[Elisa Schiorlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fannie Flagg è una certezza.
Personaggi incredibili che ti fanno sorridere e commuovere allo stesso tempo.
Secondo me uno deisuoi libri pià belli

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our Library Book Discussion group went through a Fannie Flagg stage, as well. I am now bringing my review to Goodreads.

"Life is a gift."

We can all gain from that mantra. But, that definitely is the key to this story.

Premise: Mrs. Elmer Shimfissle celebrates life every day. She wants to share her joy in life with everyone she knows in Elmwood Springs, Missouri. And her intention was to share the figs, too, but, that ladder she was on...well, she fell and died. And now, all these characters in this story...reflect. About life.

The story is joy. Charming. Filled with eccentric characters.

Message: one person actually can make a difference.

And...

Don't take life for granted. Every minute counts. Life is a gift. Live it.