Publication
New York : Random House, [2016]
Collection
Call number
Fiction F
Physical description
402 p.; 25 cm
Status
Available
Call number
Description
Fiction. Literature. Humor (Fiction.) HTML:NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER �?� The bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is at her superb best in this fun-loving, moving novel about what it means to be truly alive. WINNER OF THE SOUTHERN BOOK PRIZE Elmwood Springs, Missouri, is a small town like any other, but something strange is happening at the cemetery. Still Meadows, as it�??s called, is anything but still. Original, profound, The Whole Town�??s Talking, a novel in the tradition of Thornton Wilder�??s Our Town and Flagg�??s own Can�??t Wait to Get to Heaven, tells the story of Lordor Nordstrom, his Swedish mail-order bride, Katrina, and their neighbors and descendants as they live, love, die, and carry on in mysterious and surprising ways. Lordor Nordstrom created, in his wisdom, not only a lively town and a prosperous legacy for himself but also a beautiful final resting place for his family, friends, and neighbors yet to come. �??Resting place�?� turns out to be a bit of a misnomer, however. Odd things begin to happen, and it starts the whole town talking. With her wild imagination, great storytelling, and deep understanding of folly and the human heart, the beloved Fannie Flagg tells an unforgettable story of life, afterlife, and the remarkable goings-on of ordinary people. In The Whole Town�??s Talking, she reminds us that community is vital, life is a gift, and love never dies. Praise for The Whole Town�??s Talking�??A witty multigenerational saga . . . [Fannie] Flagg�??s down-home wisdom, her affable humor and her long view of life offer a pleasant respite in nerve-jangling times.�?��??People �??Fannie Flagg at her best.�?��??The Florida Times-Union �??If there�??s one thing Fannie Flagg can do better than anybody else, it�??s tell a story, and she outdoes herself in The Whole Town�??s Talking. . . . Brilliant . . . equally on the level as her famous Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.�?��??The Newport Plain Talk �??Delightful.�?��??The Washington Post �??A ringing affirmatio… (more)
Subjects
User reviews
LibraryThing member brendajanefrank
EVERY Fannie Flagg book is wonderful (I’ve read them all), and “The Whole Town’s Talking” is no exception. This is a generational saga going from Sweden, 1889 to the present Elmwood Springs, Missouri. The town is replete with characters interesting in every way imaginable. Generally, the
Flagg's stories are charming but never saccharine. For the most part, reality confronts the most well-meaning characters and idyllic settings.She does not fail to include dramatic tension in the plots.
Flagg lets her creativity loose in “The Whole Town’s Talking.” I will relate no more than it deals with the afterlife . . .
The dialogue is priceless and so representative of the characters. When describing Lordor Nordstrom who is seeking a mail-order bride, Mrs. Knott writes to the potential bride that “It is pleasant here . . . We have pigs. You may expect one as a wedding present. Lordor is a good eater and has all his teeth.”
Adages are sprinkled through the stories, such as “Sometimes, Birdie, you just have to take the worm out of the apple.”
This is a book (410 pages) that you have to read in as short a time as possible because you need to remember all the characters and their relationships. I agree with the comment that a list of people and their connections would have been helpful. Also, you won’t want to stop reading it. I hated to see the last page. Hopefully, Flagg will give us another great book in the near future.
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good guys triumph and the bad guys, eventually, get their due. I became so attached to the saintly unfortunates that I had to skim the pages where bad things happened to them.Flagg's stories are charming but never saccharine. For the most part, reality confronts the most well-meaning characters and idyllic settings.She does not fail to include dramatic tension in the plots.
Flagg lets her creativity loose in “The Whole Town’s Talking.” I will relate no more than it deals with the afterlife . . .
The dialogue is priceless and so representative of the characters. When describing Lordor Nordstrom who is seeking a mail-order bride, Mrs. Knott writes to the potential bride that “It is pleasant here . . . We have pigs. You may expect one as a wedding present. Lordor is a good eater and has all his teeth.”
Adages are sprinkled through the stories, such as “Sometimes, Birdie, you just have to take the worm out of the apple.”
This is a book (410 pages) that you have to read in as short a time as possible because you need to remember all the characters and their relationships. I agree with the comment that a list of people and their connections would have been helpful. Also, you won’t want to stop reading it. I hated to see the last page. Hopefully, Flagg will give us another great book in the near future.
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LibraryThing member Micareads
This was such a good book! I loved the premise of the story, I cared about the characters and genuinely could not wait to finish the book. The thought that those who passed away have the ability to interact with each other and transcend to other beings is so comforting. This is my third Fannie
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Flagg book and it was definitely worth the read. Show Less
LibraryThing member Beamis12
3.5 I consider Fannie Flag one of my ultimate comfort read authors. The book started delightfully strong, with letters back and forth from a farmer looking to take on a mail order Swedish wife. But.....I guess I wasn't in need of as much comfort as I thought at the time, lost interest and put it
Quirky plot, a little silliness, likeable characters, well most of them, a few intrigues, always have to have those and just a general niceness and people who pretty much like each other. We are there at the start of the town, a follow the generations down the lime to the end of the town. There is also a subplot concerning the town cemetery that was alot of fun. At times it was a bit to sweet, a bit too corny but all in all it was delightful, just what I needed.
ARC from Netgalley.
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aside. Then yesterday we had cold, hard rains, my basement took on a little water and I was definitely in need of comfort and picked it back up. Better of mind and I fond it chock full of the things I associate with this author,Quirky plot, a little silliness, likeable characters, well most of them, a few intrigues, always have to have those and just a general niceness and people who pretty much like each other. We are there at the start of the town, a follow the generations down the lime to the end of the town. There is also a subplot concerning the town cemetery that was alot of fun. At times it was a bit to sweet, a bit too corny but all in all it was delightful, just what I needed.
ARC from Netgalley.
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LibraryThing member Cats57
If anyone likes Fannie Flagg or thought provoking, light fiction -I just finished (and turned right around to read it again)The Whole Town's Talking
What a sweet and entirely thought provoking book. This is written in very short chapters by many different points of view and spans time from the
Funny at times, sad at others I imagine that you'll be as surprised at the ending as I was and then sent into a what if mood.
But I think it's worth it - I may even read it for a third time over the weekend.
It is the perfect calming book - no chase scenes or sword fights, no great angst or lust filled sex scenes, just quiet loves and lives lived to the fullest. Not always the best of lives; just the fullest.
*ARC Supplied by publishe
What a sweet and entirely thought provoking book. This is written in very short chapters by many different points of view and spans time from the
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founding of this town in the 1880's to 2016 and the generations that come from the (Swedish and German)founding fathers. There really is no plot (well two tiny mysteries, but they are more of an aside) and this is written in an almost diary type style with no ones voice any louder than any others. This is simply a novel about the founding, growth, happiness of a town and its inhabitants.Funny at times, sad at others I imagine that you'll be as surprised at the ending as I was and then sent into a what if mood.
But I think it's worth it - I may even read it for a third time over the weekend.
It is the perfect calming book - no chase scenes or sword fights, no great angst or lust filled sex scenes, just quiet loves and lives lived to the fullest. Not always the best of lives; just the fullest.
*ARC Supplied by publishe
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LibraryThing member SheTreadsSoftly
The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg is a highly recommended sweet, charming novel that follows the residents of Elmwood Springs, Missouri, from 1889 to 2021. Elmwood Springs was founded by Swedish immigrants, specifically Lordor Nordstrom. At the beginning of The Whole Town's Talking the
Lordor advertises for a wife and Katrina replies, a young Swedish woman living in Chicago. They exchange pictures and letters. The women in the town try to help Lordor's cause, assuring Katrina that "Lordor is a good eater and has all his teeth" and that it "is not like Sweden here. We do not let the men rule with an iron hand. We are all free American women in Missouri." Katrina accepts his invitation to come to Missouri and Lordor pleads with her to "Please hurry. All the ladies around here are busy trying to improve me as well. By the time you get here, I may be over-improved and not much good for anything.
After the opening Flagg introduces us to the citizens and families of Elmwood Springs and follows the happenings decade by decade. It's an epic novel for those who like sentimental lighthearted novels that are extremely well written. Flagg has always been a wonderful story-teller and she brings that innate gift to bear on The Whole Town's Talking. It is a pleasant, feel-good story, but it is also a witty, funny tour through the decades with the citizens of Elmwood Springs. There are a few serious and sad moments, but the citizens pull together and keep a positive outlook on life.
Soon enough readers will learn that once you have reached your final resting place in Still Meadows, you may be resting, but the meadows are anything but still as those interred there are able to talk to each other until they mysteriously seem to just quietly disappear. Just as the community below the hill is active, the discussions are also ongoing on the hill top. I especially appreciated the thoughts at the end from Macky who is worried about the country because he felt something was rotting from the inside, a slow decay of what was right and wrong. If you would find the idea of souls living on talking to each other objectionable, then you might want to skip this one. If that isn't going to bother you, then this is a pleasant comforting stroll through the decades with the citizens of a small town.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
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citizens in the area, before they are even officially a town, mark out on a hill where the cemetery is going to be and choose an area for their family plots and final resting places. They name it Still Meadows, which it is anything but still or restful, as you will hear in the future.Lordor advertises for a wife and Katrina replies, a young Swedish woman living in Chicago. They exchange pictures and letters. The women in the town try to help Lordor's cause, assuring Katrina that "Lordor is a good eater and has all his teeth" and that it "is not like Sweden here. We do not let the men rule with an iron hand. We are all free American women in Missouri." Katrina accepts his invitation to come to Missouri and Lordor pleads with her to "Please hurry. All the ladies around here are busy trying to improve me as well. By the time you get here, I may be over-improved and not much good for anything.
After the opening Flagg introduces us to the citizens and families of Elmwood Springs and follows the happenings decade by decade. It's an epic novel for those who like sentimental lighthearted novels that are extremely well written. Flagg has always been a wonderful story-teller and she brings that innate gift to bear on The Whole Town's Talking. It is a pleasant, feel-good story, but it is also a witty, funny tour through the decades with the citizens of Elmwood Springs. There are a few serious and sad moments, but the citizens pull together and keep a positive outlook on life.
Soon enough readers will learn that once you have reached your final resting place in Still Meadows, you may be resting, but the meadows are anything but still as those interred there are able to talk to each other until they mysteriously seem to just quietly disappear. Just as the community below the hill is active, the discussions are also ongoing on the hill top. I especially appreciated the thoughts at the end from Macky who is worried about the country because he felt something was rotting from the inside, a slow decay of what was right and wrong. If you would find the idea of souls living on talking to each other objectionable, then you might want to skip this one. If that isn't going to bother you, then this is a pleasant comforting stroll through the decades with the citizens of a small town.
Disclosure: My advanced reading copy was courtesy of the publisher/author.
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LibraryThing member Kris_Anderson
The Whole Town’s Talking is the latest book by Fannie Flagg. The Whole’s Town Talking takes us from the town’s inception in 1880 through 2021. We get to see Lordor Nordstrom arrive from Sweden and start his dairy farm. The various settlers that join him in Southern Missouri and slowly create
The Whole Town’s Talking is the history of Elmwood Springs from its humble beginning and into the future. The Whole Town’s Talking is not quite what I expected (from reading the blurb). There are many (dozens) characters in the book, and it can be hard to keep them all straight. Some of them are quirky like Elner. Lordor and Katrina are the best developed characters in the book. Elner Shimfissle (what a name) is the most endearing (and unusual). The beginning of the story (the first hundred or so pages) is the best part. After that the story is not as engaging. I did not know that The Whole Town’s Talking was a part of a series (not until I went write the review and did a little research). The other three books are Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!, Standing in the Rainbow, and Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven. I give The Whole Town’s Talking 3.5 out of 5 stars. I did feel that Fannie Flagg could have pushed the afterlife section a little further (I am trying not to give away any spoilers). It was not as magical or special as it could have been. The epilogue was strange and the ending was a letdown. The Whole Town’s Talking seemed to be lacking Fannie Flagg’s usual sass (or spark) and humor (that can be found in her earlier works).
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a town called Swede Town (in the beginning). They are more than neighbors; they are a family. Lordor courts and marries Katrina Olsen, a housemaid from Chicago (with the help from the ladies of the town). Katrina is a mail order bride that answers Lordor’s advertisement. Lordor donates land for the town cemetery to be called Still Meadows. All the original settlers receive a lot. They take a picnic up the hill and everyone picks their burial plot. The town slowly grows over time as they add a general store, barber, bakery, and a school. Miss Lucille Beemer becomes the schoolteacher. We see the town change over time as new people come to their town and the children grow up, marry, and have their own kids. The town changes its name to Elmwood Springs and Lordor becomes the first mayor in 1901. Lordor is the first person to be interred in Still Meadows in 1911. It turns out that life is not over when you die in Elmwood Springs and are laid to rest in Still Meadows. To find out what happens in Still Meadows and the town of Elmwood Springs, you will need to read The Whole Town’s Talking.The Whole Town’s Talking is the history of Elmwood Springs from its humble beginning and into the future. The Whole Town’s Talking is not quite what I expected (from reading the blurb). There are many (dozens) characters in the book, and it can be hard to keep them all straight. Some of them are quirky like Elner. Lordor and Katrina are the best developed characters in the book. Elner Shimfissle (what a name) is the most endearing (and unusual). The beginning of the story (the first hundred or so pages) is the best part. After that the story is not as engaging. I did not know that The Whole Town’s Talking was a part of a series (not until I went write the review and did a little research). The other three books are Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!, Standing in the Rainbow, and Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven. I give The Whole Town’s Talking 3.5 out of 5 stars. I did feel that Fannie Flagg could have pushed the afterlife section a little further (I am trying not to give away any spoilers). It was not as magical or special as it could have been. The epilogue was strange and the ending was a letdown. The Whole Town’s Talking seemed to be lacking Fannie Flagg’s usual sass (or spark) and humor (that can be found in her earlier works).
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LibraryThing member KMT01
I have read and thoroughly enjoyed several of Fannie Flagg‘s books. This one is unlike any of the other works I have read. In fact, it is not like most of the novels I read and review. In this book, the author has chosen to present the bulk of the story as an expository, third person manner.
She included characters, dialogue and scenes that are endearing, well thought out and quite natural for the time and location. However, the only time, after the first third of the book, there is any dialogue or “interaction” between characters is when it occurs between and among the “residents” of the town cemetery. “Still Meadows”. As I read, I wondered why she chose to write the book in this format. It is definitely not a format I have seen in any other books I have read, though it may have been used elsewhere. This dialogue between and among residents of Elmwood Springs who have passed provides good information about the town and how life progresses through many, many years, but it seemed unnatural to me.
The characters are well presented, but there is little depth to any of them. The town definitely is the center piece of this book, not the characters. The story line flows well, but, as I said, it reads like an expository history of the town rather than a novel about the town. I enjoyed reading the book, but not as much as I would have had the author presented the same information in a manner I am more familiar with from her other books and from those of other authors. If you enjoyed her other books, especially those that follow the format we have come to expect (i.e. dialogue between characters as well as interaction between character throughout, etc.), this may not be the book for you. However, as I said, the book is well written and enjoyable, which makes up for some of its shortcomings. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
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There is little or no interaction between the characters. The dialogue is sparse also, and occurs when she is in the, to use another reviewer’s term, “Greek Chorus” mode. When I began the book, I enjoyed the way the author spent so much time setting the scene, going over what had occurred and was occurring in the town. The author was and did present a good, solid history of the town of Elmwood Springs, Missouri.She included characters, dialogue and scenes that are endearing, well thought out and quite natural for the time and location. However, the only time, after the first third of the book, there is any dialogue or “interaction” between characters is when it occurs between and among the “residents” of the town cemetery. “Still Meadows”. As I read, I wondered why she chose to write the book in this format. It is definitely not a format I have seen in any other books I have read, though it may have been used elsewhere. This dialogue between and among residents of Elmwood Springs who have passed provides good information about the town and how life progresses through many, many years, but it seemed unnatural to me.
The characters are well presented, but there is little depth to any of them. The town definitely is the center piece of this book, not the characters. The story line flows well, but, as I said, it reads like an expository history of the town rather than a novel about the town. I enjoyed reading the book, but not as much as I would have had the author presented the same information in a manner I am more familiar with from her other books and from those of other authors. If you enjoyed her other books, especially those that follow the format we have come to expect (i.e. dialogue between characters as well as interaction between character throughout, etc.), this may not be the book for you. However, as I said, the book is well written and enjoyable, which makes up for some of its shortcomings. I received this from NetGalley to read and review.
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LibraryThing member Maydacat
Though this latest offering by Fannie Flagg may call Thornton Wilder’s Our Town to mind, don’t expect it to be like Wilder’s classic – it is so much more! In typical Flagg style, we meet some quirky characters in unusual circumstances. Some are old friends; some are new ones. And while your
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beliefs probably differ from the theology expressed in this tale, it certainly is a novel idea. Humor abounds and yet, this book is not short on thoughtful moments. There are some really good people here, as well as a scoundrel of the worst sort. But don’t worry: goodness is stronger than evil. Highly recommended, anytime you settle down with a Fannie Flagg book, you know you will soon be engrossed in a wonderful story by world-class storyteller. Show Less
LibraryThing member thosgpetri
Fannie Flagg, in my opinion, has done it again. Another terrific story with lots of heart, and yet not a tear jerker. The story covers several generations of the inhabitants of the small Missouri of Elmwood Springs, many of them from previous books by Ms. Flagg. Getting to know them better is the
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fun of this story, though their lives may not always be so much fun. Thoughtful and entertaining, an enjoyable story through out. Show Less
LibraryThing member kimkimkim
This simple, multi-generational story is best described by paraphrasing Ms. Flagg's words: They had lived and died. It was as simple as that. They were each "another little link in the chain of life, inching forward from generation to generation."
Fannie Flagg introduces the reader to the sturdy
Thank you Random House and NetGalley for an advance copy.
Fannie Flagg introduces the reader to the sturdy
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Swedish settlers of a small Missouri town and moves their stories forward from 1889 through 2021. At the beginning and center of the story is Lordor Nordstrom and the dairy farm that touches and supports so many of the residents of Elmwood Springs. Her characters span the gamut and would be recognizable to anyone who grew up in a small town. Ms. Flagg touches on a myriad of social issues through the decades with intelligence and wit.Thank you Random House and NetGalley for an advance copy.
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LibraryThing member Romonko
I absolutely love Fannie Flagg's books. Reading one of her stories is like comfort food, warm slippers and a purring cat in your lap all at once. I was looking forward to reading this one, but I found that it wasn't like any of her previous books. As usual, I loved her characters, but in this book
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there were just so many of them, and the time covered by the book (80+ years), is very long, so it's diffiuclt for a reader to really get to know the characters. I would begin to think that I would know a certain character and then that character would be gone.. Gone, but not really gone, as they all eventually meet up again up on the hill in Still Meadows. In spite of all this, the little town of Elmwood Springs was very realistically portrayed. It was like Elmwood Springs itself was the main character in the book. Ms. Flagg's writing is so folksy and so warm that it's impossible not be drawn in to the world she creates. I just would have liked to be able to spend more time with Lorder Nordstrom and with Aunt Elner and a few others. A nice little comfort book is how I would have to describe this one. Show Less
LibraryThing member gail616
Good read. Not a can't put down book, but fun.
LibraryThing member LauGal
LOVED THIS BOOK! Very enjoyable,creative and imaginative! Funny and bittersweet too! A wonderful read! Just as you get used to Still Meadows and its residents,you also get a surprise ending! AS a family historian, this book will make my next trip to the cemetery much more fun! Fun,lovely,read!
LibraryThing member JenniferLynn
Every time I read one of Fannie Flagg's novels I fall in love with it- The story, the characters, and her writing style. This book was no exception and I actually felt like I was part of Elmwood Springs.
The book tells the story of Elmwood Springs from the beginning, even before the town even had a
I read Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!(Elmwood Springs #1) over ten years ago, so it was good to find out more about the characters. Some of the names seemed familiar, but I didn't remember all of them. Now I want to read more of the Elmwood Springs books!!
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and the author, Fannie Flagg, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
The book tells the story of Elmwood Springs from the beginning, even before the town even had a
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name. Lordor Nordstrom started it all when he decided on the perfect place to begin his dairy farm and eventually find himself a Swedish mail-order bride. The book continues until present time. I read Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!(Elmwood Springs #1) over ten years ago, so it was good to find out more about the characters. Some of the names seemed familiar, but I didn't remember all of them. Now I want to read more of the Elmwood Springs books!!
Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and the author, Fannie Flagg, for a free electronic ARC of this novel.
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LibraryThing member TerriS
Entertaining, but not as good as past books that I've read by Fannie Flagg. This one was a history of the town and characters of Elmwood Springs, Missouri. So if you've read her other books, you might recognize several of the characters.
LibraryThing member shazjhb
Not as good as her previous books but a sweet easy read.
LibraryThing member BookConcierge
Audiobook performed by Kimberly Farr
This is the fourth book about the residents of Elmwood Springs (though it is not listed as part of the series). In this volume, Flagg tells the history of Elmwood Springs, beginning with the 1889 founding of the settlement by Swedish immigrant Lorder Nordstrom,
This isn’t great literature, but Flagg spins a darn good yarn. It’s entertaining and full of lively characters – both good and bad. There are marriages, births and deaths. People form alliances and work together to build the town. I like the way world events impact the residents of the small town, and how life changes for them through the decades. It’s a somewhat idyllic view of small-town life, though some residents struggle with alcohol addiction and drug use, and there’s at least one murder.
I liked the “residents” of Still Meadows being able to discuss what was happening in town, though they had to rely on new arrivals and the occasional visitor to their gravesites who might talk aloud, in order to learn what was going on. It reminded me somewhat of Thurber’s Our Town. On the other hand, I found the Epilogue anti-climactic; it almost seemed as if Flagg was at a loss for how to end the story.
Kimberly Farr does a great job performing the audio. She has good pacing and sufficient skill as a voice artist to handle the large cast of characters. Farr really brings the various characters of Elmwood Springs alive, but I particularly loved how she voiced Lorder, Katrina and Elner.
This is the fourth book about the residents of Elmwood Springs (though it is not listed as part of the series). In this volume, Flagg tells the history of Elmwood Springs, beginning with the 1889 founding of the settlement by Swedish immigrant Lorder Nordstrom,
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who recognized the perfect environment for a dairy, and encouraged fellow Swedes (plus a Norwegian and a German) to join him in Missouri. Several favorite characters from previous books make an appearance here, most notably Elner Shimfissle. This isn’t great literature, but Flagg spins a darn good yarn. It’s entertaining and full of lively characters – both good and bad. There are marriages, births and deaths. People form alliances and work together to build the town. I like the way world events impact the residents of the small town, and how life changes for them through the decades. It’s a somewhat idyllic view of small-town life, though some residents struggle with alcohol addiction and drug use, and there’s at least one murder.
I liked the “residents” of Still Meadows being able to discuss what was happening in town, though they had to rely on new arrivals and the occasional visitor to their gravesites who might talk aloud, in order to learn what was going on. It reminded me somewhat of Thurber’s Our Town. On the other hand, I found the Epilogue anti-climactic; it almost seemed as if Flagg was at a loss for how to end the story.
Kimberly Farr does a great job performing the audio. She has good pacing and sufficient skill as a voice artist to handle the large cast of characters. Farr really brings the various characters of Elmwood Springs alive, but I particularly loved how she voiced Lorder, Katrina and Elner.
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LibraryThing member hobbitprincess
What an interesting book with a different viewpoint. In the pages of this novel, we have the history of a small town, Elmwood Springs, MO. It's not just any history, however, given the proximity of some of the characters. Beloved characters are followed from the beginning, and we learn of their
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lives, their families, and what they contributed to the growth of the town. It is also a sad look at the state of some of our small towns today that have been taken over by big-box stores, leaving once picturesque downtown areas deserted. I laughed out loud more than once, and I teared up a couple of times too. Good read! Show Less
LibraryThing member Dianekeenoy
Fannie Flagg writes books that you, or at least, I want to live in! This book tells the story of Lordor Nordstrom, his Swedish mail-order bride, Katrina, and their neighbors and descendants as they live, marry and then die in their little town. Lordor Nordstrom created a wonderful, prosperous
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little town. And, also had the foresight to set aside a beautiful piece of land for the final resting place for his family and neighbors. Imagine their surprise to find out that it's not actually the final resting place. Just a delightful story. Show Less
LibraryThing member delphimo
This is not one of the better novels by Fannie Flagg. Flagg's novel spans too many years and reads like the book of Genesis of the Bible. The novel seems to be who begat who, and in the end, the reader has too many characters to remember. Flagg does bring into the novel all the historic events form
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the 1890's to the 2010's. The majority of the story deals with the town's dead residents talking among themselves that parallels Spoon River Anthology. The story deals with death and how people handle death. The story also centers on love and disappointment, but again too many characters and too long in time. Too many issues remain unresolved. Show Less
LibraryThing member fredreeca
Well! This is a very interesting read indeed. This covers generations of townsfolk in Elmwood Springs, MO. It even covers their afterlife in Still Meadows Cemetery. Very creative, unique and captivating.
I just adore how I can get lost in her tales. This is a story about a small town. And if you
I have no idea how she does it. How Fannie Flagg creates such great characters. Every character is someone I know. I can just picture every one in Elmwood Springs, MO. Heck…I went to school with most of them.
The only issue I have with this novel and it is a completely minor issue, is it seems rushed in places. It starts in 1889 and ends in 2016. There are more details about the time periods during the 1800 through 1940, but many details were lacking in the later decades. I just wanted more. This does not take away from the great characters or the town. I just felt these later decades were lacking in specifics and substance.
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.
I just adore how I can get lost in her tales. This is a story about a small town. And if you
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have ever lived in a small town, this one is for you. From the bakery to the church, makes the reader feel right at home. I have no idea how she does it. How Fannie Flagg creates such great characters. Every character is someone I know. I can just picture every one in Elmwood Springs, MO. Heck…I went to school with most of them.
The only issue I have with this novel and it is a completely minor issue, is it seems rushed in places. It starts in 1889 and ends in 2016. There are more details about the time periods during the 1800 through 1940, but many details were lacking in the later decades. I just wanted more. This does not take away from the great characters or the town. I just felt these later decades were lacking in specifics and substance.
I received this novel from Netgalley for a honest review.
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LibraryThing member Carolee888
Listening to The Whole Town's Talking by Fannie Flagg was my birthday gift to myself and I really enjoyed it. I love storytellers and Fanny Flagg is one of the best.
The first part was the story of Lordor Nordstrom coming from Sweden to Missouri. He founded the town by buying, clearing some land
We are taken from the beginning town to present day with an assortment of stories of the Norstroms, their descendents and other original settlers and their offspring. We also hear a continuaion of their stories up on the hill at the town cementery. I loved it because of the great per sonal details and how the characters reminded me of my own family.,
The first part was the story of Lordor Nordstrom coming from Sweden to Missouri. He founded the town by buying, clearing some land
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and then putting an ad in the paper inviting others to come. He was extremely shy and ashamed of his lack of education and was unable to find someone to marry. Encouraged by the ladies of the town who agreed that he needed to marry, he put in an ad for a mail order bride. The one that he chose was a very pretty Swedish servant in Chicago. She did not care for Chicago and was yearning to be on a farm again. Both Lordor and Katrina were afraid that they would not measure up to each other but the ice was broken they found that they were perfect for each other. After listening to their story, I wanted to hear it all over again.We are taken from the beginning town to present day with an assortment of stories of the Norstroms, their descendents and other original settlers and their offspring. We also hear a continuaion of their stories up on the hill at the town cementery. I loved it because of the great per sonal details and how the characters reminded me of my own family.,
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LibraryThing member streamsong
I've previously read two of [[Fannie Flagg]]'s books: the iconic [Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistlestop Cafe] and the enjoyable [Redbird Christmas].
So when I saw this audiobook at a FOL sale, I picked it up.
This follows the townspeople of a Elmwood Springs, Missouri, from it's first settling in
The original group of settlers grows, marries, has children, becomes elderly and die. We then see their offspring and their offspring's offspring through several generations.
'The Whole Town's Talking' is a gossipy column in the local newspaper. It also refers to those buried in the cemetery who continue to observe and comment on events; until one by one, the dead mysteriously disappear.
I enjoyed the pioneer section of this novel. And I also liked the moments of humor, especially with the wonderful Elner Shimfissle.
But as this novel progressed through the generations, there became dozens of inhabitants living ordinary lives. And while the day to day can be certainly beautiful, unfortunately, these characters and their brief appearances in the novel did not really catch my attention. I thought most of them had little depth due to their very numbers.
I listened to the audiobook while driving and it worked well for that. But it's not on my recommended list. I will, however, try Fannie Flagg again.
So when I saw this audiobook at a FOL sale, I picked it up.
This follows the townspeople of a Elmwood Springs, Missouri, from it's first settling in
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1889 by homesteader Lordor Nordstrom and his mail-order bride.The original group of settlers grows, marries, has children, becomes elderly and die. We then see their offspring and their offspring's offspring through several generations.
'The Whole Town's Talking' is a gossipy column in the local newspaper. It also refers to those buried in the cemetery who continue to observe and comment on events; until one by one, the dead mysteriously disappear.
I enjoyed the pioneer section of this novel. And I also liked the moments of humor, especially with the wonderful Elner Shimfissle.
But as this novel progressed through the generations, there became dozens of inhabitants living ordinary lives. And while the day to day can be certainly beautiful, unfortunately, these characters and their brief appearances in the novel did not really catch my attention. I thought most of them had little depth due to their very numbers.
I listened to the audiobook while driving and it worked well for that. But it's not on my recommended list. I will, however, try Fannie Flagg again.
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LibraryThing member bcrowl399
This was a pretty good book from Fannie Flagg. The premise of what happens to folks when they leave this world was interesting, but after awhile, the characters really piled up fast and I got a little confused at times. The story lines jumped around even though there was a chronology of decades. I
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really enjoyed it at the beginning, but as the book went along, I was looking forward for the end. Show Less
LibraryThing member GirlWellRead
A special thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've been a fan of Fannie Flagg's writing and have read most of her books. Her books are like comfort food, like tea and a duvet on a rainy day, or like a hug from an old friend.
The book started out
All-in-all, a fun read.
I've been a fan of Fannie Flagg's writing and have read most of her books. Her books are like comfort food, like tea and a duvet on a rainy day, or like a hug from an old friend.
The book started out
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delightful and charming, typical of Flagg, with (mostly) likeable characters with lots of appeal and just the right amount of quirkiness, but then it got silly... I like the premise of the book, the birth of a town in the 1800s right through to 2021, but I could have done without the subplot in the cemetery—this was corny and unnecessary. All-in-all, a fun read.
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Awards
Southern Book Prize (Winner — 2017)
Language
ISBN
9781400065950