ChallengesFirst sentence: "After Elner Shimfissle accidentally poked that wasps' nest up in her fig tree, the last thing she remembered was thinking, "Uh-oh." " I chuckled right off the bat with this book and continued giggling through the first half. After that, it gets a little frantic and far-fetched. Elner is such an eccentric and fun character, that you fall in love with her just like everyone else in Elmwood Springs. Her niece, Norma, is high-strung and neurotic; but, just when you can't stand her, she does or says something to let you know that she is still a caring and giving person. When asked what she wanted readers to take from this book, the author said, "I'm hoping they will think of something I am trying to remember as well -- that the old cliché is true: life really is what you make it, and a lot is up to us. As Abraham Lincoln once said, 'People are about as happy as they make their minds to be' " Elner Shimfissle is one happy person and, through the events in this story, most of her friends and neighbors learn to be happier people as well.
Rating: 4
This sounds really good. I have a Fannie Flagg book of Mark's that's been sitting on shelf for months. I don't remember the title but he and Mom both highly recommend it.
ReplyDeletethis one sounds fun. good review
ReplyDeleteI just posted a review of Fannie Flagg's "Fried Green Tomatoes". Based on your review plus my introduction to Idgie in "Tomatoes" I'd say Ms. Flagg has a great love of eccentric characters. I snjoyed my book. Perhaps I will look into yours.
ReplyDeleteDid you get my e-mail, or is your box still hating me?
ReplyDelete