So, who could possibly have thought when we chose this book that I, your esteem host, would subsequently have a nearly month-long stay in the hospital, only to leave minus part of my bowel. Thanks to all of you for your prayers and good wishes. I am on the road to recovery.
As a result of my illness, however, I was unable to read this or any other book until recently. While it was slow getting into, I enjoyed this book a great deal.
While I love any Fannie Flagg book, the subject matter is nearly always eccentric and uncomfortable and the characters are always (to use an old-fashioned and currently politically incorrect term) queer. I honestly can't think of a better word. Off-beat. Weird. Funny. Loveable. Even the bad guys. Don't you LOVE that Babs Babington never came around to being nice? She spent that entire day with Maggie, but proudly proclaimed at the end of it that she was still going to be an evil bitch, and proud of it.
And really Ladies, how can you not like a book where the character driving the entire story line is a midget who has been dead for a number of years? Hazel was one of the most decent and loveable characters I have ever come across in a book. She positively impacted her friends tremendously, and they will love her forever because of that. And talk about not feeling sorry for yourself? Hazel certainly never did.
True, suicide is an uncomfortable topic. And I never could quite figure out why exactly Maggie felt the need to leave this earth. But her plans for carrying out the deed, and the way she carried them out, making sure that all of her debts were paid and she took care of those she loved prior to the suicide were so sweet to me. And I loved the way she would run into her roadblock and simply go put the suicide note away until she solved the newest issue facing her.
When you read Fannie Flagg, you must know that you are going to have to struggle a bit with a serious issue, but she will never let you down. Her characters' decency always rise to the top. And she always makes me laugh out loud.
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Like Kris, I enjoyed this novel. I’ll admit to being put off at the beginning, when I realized she was planning her suicide. Sheesh—why do I want to read this? But, when she postponed it to attend the Whirling Dervishes show, I came to several conclusions: 1) she would never go through with it and 2) that I shouldn’t take any of this too seriously.
ReplyDeleteI especially enjoyed the way Flagg captured an authentic feeling for the South and especially Southern women. Having lived in Alabama for four years, I recognized many of the book’s “types.” Some of Flagg’s women were brassy but always well-turned-out! Maggie’s sincere desire not to leave any messes behind her was endearing. Commit suicide if you must, but don’t inconvenience anyone in the process!
I found the book to be a quick read. I’m not sure I’ve read any of Fannie Flagg’s work before, but I liked this enough to want to pick up another one. I’m anxious to hear what everyone else thought.
I'm going to step out big and be the first to say I did not enjoy this book. I've read Fannie Flagg before and enjoy her writing. In fact, I read A Redbird Christmas almost every Christmas season. But I Still Dream About You just did not do it for me.
ReplyDeleteExcept for Hazel, none of the characters were appealing to me. Maggie's need to commit suicide didn't strike any chord with me except silly. Why did she want to, anyway? Was she that disappointed in the choices she had made in life? Come on Maggie, you've got to dig deep. Babs was too over the top for me to find funny. And I found myself wishing Brenda's sister would leave her alone about her weight and diet.
Would the author be disappointed to know I really didn't care if Maggie succeeded in her plan or not?
Here are the things I did enjoy: Flagg's writing style, Hazel, the setting in AL and complaining about the book with my daughter Maggie. Oh, and I liked the book's cover.
Can I just say, I really wanated to like this book?!
I thought the book was terrible...thanks mom for being the first to admit it! I too enjoyed complaining about the book with my mom. I think aunt kris may have had one to many shots of morphine, if you know what I mean;)
ReplyDeleteMaggie was lame. The story line about the guy who built Crestview was so weird. The friend with the weight problem was boring. Babs was so predictable. I told my mom that this book seemed like something I could write, and I'm not a writer!
The only thing I liked about this book was that it was the first book I read on my iPad.
Okay, second try.
ReplyDeleteI did not dislike this book as much as Maggie, but I didn't really enjoy it either. I had not read a Fannie Flagg book before, and I didn't have any expectations.
It took me about half the book to become interested in the story and the characters. For the first half I wanted to like the book, but I felt indifferent. I wanted to care about Maggie being depressed enough to plan her suicide but I just kept thinking she didn't seem that depressed and miserable. I did like Hazel's personality, but I think I would have liked the story more had she been alive. I also liked the setting. I had the feeling the book was meant to be a light and silly read. I have shared it with a few friends who have described it as a quick fun read.
I did read the other book choices and would like to recommend Raising Jake.
Hahaha....I am not trying to be secretive, I just can't remember how to post under my name. I didn't want to lose my comments again so I posted under Anonymous. Andrea
ReplyDeleteAndrea, disinterested is a good way to describe my feelings for this book! Give Fannie Flagg another try though, I think she's worth it.
ReplyDeleteOkay, which one do you recommend? Andrea
ReplyDeleteOverall, I thought this book was OK. I didn’t have the dislike of it that Maggie and Jen had, but I didn’t love it like Kris.
ReplyDeleteIf I separate the book into BC (Before Crestview) and AC (After Crestview), then my feelings get stronger. I really didn’t like much in the BC part -- except when Brenda stopped the thief with her hot fudge sundae. AC, I really liked. The skeleton in the attic really held my interest, and I liked the twist when that mystery unwound. Maybe part of what I liked about that was that I didn’t have to read any more of Maggie’s lists.
I didn’t have too much sympathy for Maggie. I did see why she was unhappy with her life, particularly after Hazel died, but I didn’t connect with her. I liked Fannie Flagg’s writing style, though. I liked Hazel, Brenda was ok, and I didn’t feel much for Ethel. Babs was certainly someone you’d love to hate, and my only disappointment there was that I wanted “investor” she browbeat into taking her money to be Bernie Madoff. I wanted Babs’ karma to come right back and slap her.
Note to self: Fannie Flagg books do not make for exciting book club discussions but she is a good read for a week at the beach or on a cruise.
ReplyDeleteI really do recommend putting a Redbird Christmas on your reading list for next December.
Jen makes a good point: this probably isn't a good book for an in-depth discussion. But, I liked it anyway. Sometimes beach books don't lend themselves to too much analysis!
ReplyDeleteIt's Andrea again. I guess you will all get used to me being Anonymous. Maybe when I retire I will learn to sign in under my name.
ReplyDeleteI did get Welcome to the World Baby Girl and Can't Wait to get to Heaven. I am going on a trip which should include a little beach time, even if I am bundled up. So, maybe I will experience Fannie Flagg correctly this time and enjoy her a little more.
I have to tell everyone...(I hope this isn't against a rule)....you all should read the book Moloka'i. It is such a good book!
Let's go off topic... I'm going on a cruise in August, and I'm seriously considering getting an e-reader. Kindle or Nook?
ReplyDeleteI know Margaret and Maggie are different people but I am not sure about Jen and Jennie.....same or different?
ReplyDeleteJen and Jennie are the same person.
ReplyDeleteThe kindle does tell you what page you are on and what percentage you have left.
I have both a kindle and a nook because I have an iPad and you can download both versions. I would think you would want the one that has the cheaper book prices. Does anyone know which ebooks are cheaper?
Darlene says Hello and sorry I think I missed the deadline, I am in the corner with dislike group, I could not even get passed the first one hundred pages, so I admit I did not finish this book....just could not get into it at all. Actually I commented earlier but I must not be post worthy because it did not work. So I am trying again.
ReplyDelete