Saturday, August 13, 2011

Why I love the books of Fannie Flagg

I have enjoyed reading the books of Fannie Flagg over the past several years. I first became interested in reading her books, after watching the movie Fried Green Tomatoes. This movie touched me deeply.  I loved the characters, as well as the story - and wanted to continue knowing them in some way.

I took about ten years to find the book Fried Green Tomatoes, but one day I did have the delightful good fortune to see a paperbook version on the shelf of may favourite used bookstore, The Reader's Corner.
Since then I've read most of Flagg's fiction, as the books became available at my local public library.

Her Elmwood Springs series is particularly lovely, and feature a cast of eccentric, but believable characters, who I just love. The book Standing in the Rainbow is set in the 1940's and 50's , featuring Neighbor Dorothy, a radio hostess, who produces a short, friendly program from her home. Dorothy develops a rapport with her radio audience, and provides household tips, music and friendly advice.

I Can't Wait to Get to Heaven  features Mrs. Elmer Shimfissle, an inspirational octogenarian, and her endearing family.

Welcome to the World Baby Girl, was written first in the series, although it has a contemporary setting, and brings together the various characters in the other two books.

What I love about these books are the warm, and sometimes quirky, but always believable characters - these are people I would like to know. I think the daytime radio programs of the 40's and 50's, such as  Neighbor Dorothy's, which provided rapport and community to housewives who were generally alone through the day, could possibly be seen as a precursor to some of our social media today.  Blogs provide wonderful human connections, as well as information and can truly enrich our daily lives.

Fannie Flagg has several more  highly enjoyable books, including a lovely Christmas story, A Redbird Christmas, which tells a story of love and resiliency. I enjoyed this story so well, that I chose to give it as gifts one Christmas.

Just when I was thinking that Fannie had stopped writing books, I found a review of her latest book, I Still Dream About You,  so I will be heading to my library next week to place this book on "hold".

I hope you might consider reading one or two of these books, as I believe you will come away touched by a loving, warm vision of a special kind of world.

6 comments:

Teri said...

Isn't that interesting, I have heard of her and yet, have never read one of her books. How did I do that! I am going to go looking now for sure. You make them all sound so interesting.
Hugs

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

Hi, Teri,
Thanks for dropping in - I think you will enjoy these books, let me know if you do!!!
Hugs,
Brenda

The Boston Lady said...

I am an avid reader, but have never tried her books. I will keep my eye open at the thrift for some of hers and give them a try after I get through my current stack. So glad to see you up and running again in blogland! And thanks for stopping by my blog and commenting. AND, may I say that Arthur over there on the sidebar is a most handsome cat! Ann

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

Ann,
thanks for checking in - I hope you will find Fannie's books enjoyable.
Thanks for your kind comment about Arthur. He tended to seem more short haired until just this past year and he's grown his adult coat, which I think makes him look quite elegant! :)
Brenda

Anonymous said...

Based on your glowing review, I'm going to remember "A Redbird Christmas" especially because I think I could use something to keep my heart warm this year when the holidays come along. (I don't want to leave it to chance after my last year!)

I loved the movie of "Fried Green Tomatoes" myself, but I've never read any of Fannie Flagg's books. I remember her on television in the sixties. Her writing career seems to be such a different side of her than the one we saw then. Thanks for bringing me up to speed on her work!

Mullin Avenue Workshop said...

Thanks for your comment here Re. I never saw her on t.v., but read abit on her on Google, before making my post, and I noticed s he was in a game show, which I think would be another side to her. Yes her writing is wonderful, warm, and also thoughtfi\ul. I just think you'll love Redbird Christmas!!!

Sometimes Christmas can be a difficult time, and it's good to plan some nurturing activities I think, as well as relax some of the societal expectations of what the season should be - and mark it a way that fits for the individual person.I like to have some nice reading material as well, for holidays, and just honor the season or day the way I chose. We are not cookie cutter people, and there is no one right way to do things.