I just want to put it out there, if anyone is looking for a nice feel good book, this is a great option. I had been feeling low for a while, but I think it changed something in me. I’ve heard people say they’d been changed by a book but it didn’t seem possible. I’ve never related to a character as much as I have to Idgie, but I feel like I had locked that part of me away after the pandemic. The movie is good, but the book has so many wonderful details and side stories. Though I’ve tried to convince people to read it, no one has, so I wanted to see what you guys thought about it or what experiences you’ve had with books that had an impact on you.
by BafflingBinturong
36 Comments
Haven’t heard of it! Tell me more!
Loved the book, loved the movie.
Love the book, love the movie, so much that one of my dogs is named Idgie. Full name: Idgie Ruth Threadgoode [my last name]
You might enjoy Flagg’s other works!
There is a sequel! *The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop.* Also great 🙂
I so wish that they would give this book a kick-ass remake. I love the original movie, but I feel like it left half of the story out because the black characters become background characters. Same with the perspective chapters of the “hobo” character. (Sorry, can remember zero names, only vibes.) Some of the most powerful scenes in that book were in those storylines. The movie was a lot more light-hearted as a result, even though it had darker moments as well.
It’s like how I feel about The Color Purple leaving out the sapphic stuff, it’s still a great movie in its own right, I wouldn’t want it to go anywhere, but I *additionally* want an adaptation that restores that key piece of the original.
This was a laugh out loud book for me
Just added this to my TBR list!
I love all of her books and have literally read a few to bits and had to replace them. I used to read the Elmwood Springs books with my grandmother because she was just like Aunt Elner.
My mom recently read it and loved it. I want to add it to my TBR list. It’s just so long.
All of Fannie Flaggs books are great, fun reads.
Love the book and movie both. I had actually seen the movie before I knew about the book… And I think had I read the book first, I would have been disappointed in the movie because of how toned down the relationships were (especially between Ruth and Idgie).
If you’re ever passing through Georgia, the Whistle Stop Cafe that was built for the movie set is an actual operating cafe in Juliette. They have a lot of movie memorabilia in there and the fried green tomatoes are delicious.
also recommend some fried green tomatoes, like to eat
It’s a sweet story, and the movie did a good job of taking the feels of the book to the movie.
I absolutely love this book. Ruth is the epitome of beauty and grace and Idgie is like no other.
I adore the book, also love the movie. I pick it up every couple years as a good comfort read.
Love this one! She has another, The All Girls Filling Stations Last Reunion. We read that in a book club and it was just so good. I love her writing.
My favorite movie of all time. I hope to read the book soon
“Secret’s in the sauce”
I love the part where the cat’s owner is telling everyone to please stop feeding her cat. It’s too fat and need to stop being fed so many times by neighbors.
Love the book and the movie! Probably watched it a dozen times. It’s a comfort.
I thought this post was advertising a reading spot for a second there lol!
Fannie Flagg has that magical storyteller’s gift, to me. I will look at one of her books and think it doesn’t appeal to me and then the next thing I know I’m halfway through it and forgot I was reading! I’m actually reading *A Red Bird at Christmas* right now.
Towanda!
Such a good book, and great movie too.
I loved the book. The movie, like all movies, can only cover a fraction of the texture and detail of the novel.
Read the book and when you are done read another book. Leave the idiot box unplugged.
I loved it! Storytelling at its best.
I have so much love for this book, it’s fun and exciting and tackles so many serious topics! I love the characters and I quote so many phrases regurarly (like Towanda or the secret’s in the sauce). Now that you reminded me, I might reread it soon 🙂
I will forever wonder why my mom gave it to me when I was 13, though. I feel like it was a hint but I would never dare to ask
I fell in love with the movie as a child, when it first came out. Still my favorite today. How have I not read the book!! Adding it to my list ASAP.
I love this book so much! Fannie Flagg is a wonderful writer!
Anything by Fannie Flagg!
My roommate and I adore this book. Definitely life changing for me
I read this book after I fell in love with the movie. It’s fantastic.
I read it years ago and it is very good.
This was a rare one where I enjoyed both the book and the movie. I even have a cookbook based on the movie and love making fried green tomatoes at home. Thanks for the reminder about this one. I am going to re-read it now.
I love that book and I loved that movie ………such great people and actors in that movie . I could actually visualize those lovely people and that lovely town . Now I come from people like that and alot of them have gone on home to be with the Lord and I miss them terribly . But yes that book and that movie is just heart wrenching and happy at the same time .