The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop: A Novel

Fannie Flagg's latest book is a sequel to Fried Green Tomatoes, and does not disappoint. Although I tried and tried to stretch it out, I could only make it last for two days. The book is like a long awaited visit with dear friends. About a year ago I read the FGT novel, and ended up reading every single novel written by Flagg. I loved each of them, and hoped that there would, some day, be another novel. I have to say that I have had a crush on Fannie Flagg since the 1960s, when Flagg did the Candid Camera gag where she was the lady with the monkey on her head. I always love a girl who can keep me laughing. When I was in college, her fried egg t-shirt on Match Game gave me a laugh that has lasted now 45 years. All her novels overflow with humor that somehow makes you feel loved. Only Harper Lee and Truman Capote have created characters as beloved as these!

Much like Idgie, I'm happy to be home. This book is an absolute delight in every way. I laughed out loud ... very loud ... I cried, I worried, I rejoiced, and I missed the characters (and are some ever characters!!) from Whistle Stop the moment I read the last word. If you are looking for a feel good read that will warm your heart and leave you hankering for a big old plate of fried green tomatoes, then this is the book! Thank you, yet again, Fannie Flagg for making us all remember that there is good in this world and it's found in the heart of small towns all across this country.

While some scenes take you back to the world of "Fried Green Tomatoes," the entire book feels so tossed together. It's as if Flagg had all these short vignettes written and she hastily wrote the scenes in the present time to try to tie them together coherently. It did not work. The humor is too light and folksy--there is no dark humor or deep satire, such as we saw in the first book (and many of her subsequent novels).Also, the absolutely unrealistic way everyone in this book has so much money to throw around at projects, going to retirement homes, etc....REALLY? Most of us don't have a few hundred grand (or more) sitting around to spend in our old age.I read it quickly, hoping it would get better, but it really just served up more of the same. If you like folksy, unrealistic nostalgia, it's for you. If you hope for a return to Whistle Stop of the 30-40s era and all it's complexities and personalities, skip it.

Fannie Flagg in these dark days of this virus your writing makes the world good again thank you for taking us to hope and helping us to know if we believe in good it can be l believe good is here we just have to work to get it back please keep writing Marlene Sandvig

Everyone who read and loved Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, knew the ending left a lot of loose ends. Yes Ruth and Ninnie had passed on, but what happened to Idgie? The next generation? Or other citizens of Whistle Stop?The Wonder Boy picks up those threads, with the reasonable good and bad things that come into everyone’s life. Much of the story is carried by Ruthie, Buddie Threadgood’s daughter and granddaughter of FGT’s Ruth. As a descendent of an older, poorer, South, Ruthie has to contend with a different world her parents and grandparents knew and has to face different burdens. Still, the message of Whistle Stop is any difficulty can be faced when you have enough love in your life.While this lacks some of the drama and structure that inhabited FGT, it’s still a lowly read for anyone who liked the original book. It’s as welcome as. Trip back home.

It was wonderful revisiting the folks from Whistle Stop! This book did not disappoint. I love that the book went forward and backward in time providing us new stories about our old favorites from Fried Green Tomatoes along with stories from the new generations. As always when I read an excellent book, I was sad to turn that last page.

I love Fanny Flagg and I LOVE her book Fried Green Tomatoes however, this book read more like an outline. The characters were not developed and most of this book was just a rehash the first book.

Holy editor, batman. This book, like many of Ms. Flagg's most recent, was in desperate need of an editor and someone to tell Ms. Flagg about the beauty of "show, don't tell" in writing. The last third of this book could have stood as a novel on its own without the 200 preceding pages, which both skimmed over major character developments (why does Buddy never make any attempt at seeing Idgy more than one time over 30 years?) and belabored minor points (Ruthy is pretty and her mother-in-law is mean). I also cannot count the number of times I rolled my eyes after reading what I thought was a pretty good cliff-hanger/innuendo, only to read the first line of the next chapter and have not only the joke/mystery explained in great detail, but the punchline/conclusion, as well. I loved Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, and Daisy May and the Miracle Man. I have also enjoyed some of Ms. Flagg's later books, though I do find them a bit hokey in parts. The last part of this novel fits into the latter category -- cheesy, but sweet, and a memorable story. The first 2/3 is just a mess, though.

I was a little hesitant in buying a sequel but I should not of worried. The book was a real treat from start to finish. I continue to love the writing style of Fannie Flagg and how she can transport me, as the reader, to another time and place. Her rich characters and locations are then easy to picture and somehow make you feel good. Suddenly you are there, part of the story. So I have pleasure in recommending this book to you. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

I was worried, beginning this that perhaps as I loved fried green tomatoes so much that this wouldn't live up to its predecessor... unfounded worry thankfully. Absolutely delightful and I started and finished it in one sitting. I am an avid fan of Fannie Flagg and this is no exception.

I can't believe I paid £11 for a re-telling of Fried Green Tomatoes. I thought it would be a sequel, but I am on page 70 and there has been nothing new added to the story yet. We are just being told the same story but in a slightly different format. I love Fannie Flagg but this is one to miss.

Was a wonderful read and great to find out what happened to the town and people. Southern charm and a great read throughly enjoyed a big fan of Fannie Flagg

I couldn't see how Fried Green Tomatoes... could have a sequel. Fannie Flagg found an excellent well thought out way. Not quite as good as the original, but I hope she turns it into a film script, as it would make a lovely movie. Very moving in parts; definitely recommend. JP Bury St Edmunds, UK