Many thanks to NetGalley and Fannie Flagg for the perfect antidote to the pandemic blues. The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop is a light, uplifting read that can be enjoyed over a cozy weekend. It was just what I needed.
The book is a long awaited for sequel to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. In Wonder Boy we get to see what happened to our old familiar friends, as well as uncovering some back story that fits in very nicely to the current tale. The book goes back and forth in time, and across story lines, and that would be my only caution. You need to pay attention not only to character, but also to the year.
In a world where we often read to educate, inform and improve our world view, it's sometimes nice to step back to a simpler time, to meet characters who care about each other and to see good things come to good people.

I loved Fried Green Tomatoes (the film version) so when I heard that Fannie Flagg had written a sequel I was thrilled. Thanks to Random House for sending the e-galley via NetGalley! I found a way to watch the movie again and then started reading The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop. I didn't plan on reading it in two days but I just didn't want to stop. Flagg's trademark relatable characters, funny situations, and heart-breaking moments just made me grateful for the chance to find out what happened to the people of Whistle Stop. Thank you, Fannie Flagg, for taking us back to Whistle Stop. I loved it all.

This is an absolutely delightful book. The characters are charming and the plot is captivating, told through the viewpoint of many different people. I highly recommend this fantastic read.

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing me with a digital ARC of this title via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I loved the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, but I can't say I ever read the book. I wish I had read it but from reading this new title, I would say the movie stuck pretty accurately to the book. I liked reading more about those characters you came to love and cheer for. I enjoyed seeing what happened to the the little town Of Whistle Stop as time moved on and where the townspeople ended up. There is a lot of reminiscing and retelling of stories and incidents from Fried Green Tomatoes, almost too much that it seemed to be constantly catching up a new reader that never had any knowledge of the first book. It was a sweet, easy, fun read though with good characters and a nice happy ending.

FRIED GREEN TOMATOES is one of my favorite books. I read a paperback copy so many times I had to hold it together with a binder clip. So, it was with a mix of excitement and trepidation that I read this book. My expectations were sky high and so was my fear that it would not live up to it's precursor.

I was right on both counts. It was lovely to be back in a world of Idgie, Ruth, Sispey Buddy, and everyone else. But the book lacked much of the focus of the original. Evelyn Couch is a wonderful bright spot in the book, but she comes into the story later than I would have liked.

I was always going to be a hard reader to please because I loved the original so much but I wanted more of Idgie and Ruth, who were the real heart of the last book and there wasn't enough of them. One mention of them having been more than friends felt like a huge let down since their relationship seemed much more well-definined in the original. Why be so coy now?

Thanks to Random House and NetGalley for a digital advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own.

I always know that any book by Fannie Flagg is going to be a good read, and this one was just a perfect book for these times. If you've already read Fried Green Tomatoes at The Whistle Stop Cafe, then you'll be delighted to revisit the town of Whistle Stop and many of the same characters. If this is your introduction to Whistle Stop, you're in for a treat. And be sure to read Fried Green Tomatoes soon. This novel is told from the perspective of a few different characters, including a folksy newsletter, and the chapters go back and forth from the past to the present. With humor, drama, warmth, and love, this is feel-good story that will make you smile.

I love, love, love this book! Anytime I read a book by Fannie Flagg I feel like I am home. She has a gift of taking her readers back to a simpler time and making memories seem like you are reliving them in real-time. All of her characters are people that seem part of our past. And, many times, Flagg will invoke memories that we have forgotten. And it can be something as simple as a meal or a song. In the Wonderboy of Whistle Stop, she has taken us back to her original stories about the Whistle Stop Cafe and all the lovely characters. As I read the book I had a strong desire to go and re-read all of her other books. I was so happy to be reminded of the characters. And to learn more about the history of so many people in her original stories. The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop is a treasure. Flagg does not need to embellish her stories with sex or foul language. When we read her books, we are reading real life. Flagg writes stories like a history book. And we can always learn from history. In this crazy world we are living in we need more Fannie Flagg books.
I voluntarily received a copy of this book from NetGalley.

A heartwarming book that readers of “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” will love. Catch up with old favourites like, Idgie and meet new characters to love like, Ruthie. Readers can reminisce about Whistle Stop over the years and learn what has become of it since Ruth and Idgie served those famous fried green tomatoes.

Amazingly I have never read the original "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". Fannie Flagg catches you up with the characters from that book in "The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop". This book stands alone as an outstanding read. The characters return from the original book and of course are grown, there are stories that are a throwback to 1939 but by weaving in and out of time the author manages to tell a really good story of the characters from the original book. Fannie Flagg is reminiscent of Mark Twain in her folksy, funny even poignant storytelling ability and she reels you in to the real lives of the people and those they have met in and out of Whistle Stop. The ending is a good one and you will leave the book with a feel good feeling. I would highly recommend this book to those who enjoyed the first one and those who just want a fun and entertaining book to read. Fannie Flagg is no doubt one of the best storytellers of this generation.
Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review #NetGalley#TheWonderBoyof WhistleStop.

Another charming book by author Fannie Flagg. If you ever wondered what happened to the folks, (Idgie and Buddy, Evelyn Couch and Ninny Threadgoode) from the "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café", this story will satisfy your curiosity. A feel good read, like eating your favourite comfort food and proving that 'you can go home again.'

I find Fannie Flagg's writing style is like having someone sitting down and telling you all about something that has happened to them. The characters can be a little quirky and they each have a definite voice. I end up feeling that the characters become a an addition to the family. This is such a wonderful book about family, life, growing up, growing old, and all the ups and downs of a life well lived. It is about connections people make and the old saying about the ripple effect of a pebble thrown into a pond. One never knows what one small act can end up doing; whether good or bad. The town of Whistle Stop itself is also a character. The fact that this story takes the reader from pre-world war II up to almost present day reflects the changes in the world with technology and the demise of some of the towns that had grown out of the railroad industry in its hay-day. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone that likes to read nostalgic tales and any good story about life in general.

As someone who loves the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, and reading the book....I knew I had to read this one! I couldn't put it down and have started to reread it and I'm so happy with the storyline. I felt like I was sitting there back in Whistle Stop Cafe with all of the original characters. The whole story got me excited to continue to read while I was supposed to be sleeping and my husband even started reading some of it too. I can't wait for this book to come out in stores so I can order it and have a copy of the book next to my other book by Fannie Flagg!

I loved the original Fried Green Tomatoes story. Idgie Threadgoode and Ruth and the cafe have remained with me, and it's probably been 20 years since I read it the first time. The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop was a touching return to what happens next. Buddy Threadgoode grows up and has his own family. With snippets of his childhood, mixed with the present the story jumps around a lot and didn't hold my interest as much as I would have hoped. I did like all the characters and I appreciated my chance to find out what happened next for the Threadgoode's. Overall this definitely fell short of my expectations when compared to the original story. Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I am writing this review as I wipe tears after finishing The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop. This book feels like finding a box in the attic full of family photos and letters, or reminiscing over bourbon with childhood friends when coming back to your hometown after being away, or a sweet hug from grandma or grandpa. I loved Fannie Flagg when I read Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, but after this sequel, I wish I could grab the car keys and pay a visit to Whistle Stop.

The small town of Whistle Stop, AL has its share of characters. There’s Dot the postmistress, Opal from the beauty shop, and of course Ruth and Idgie who run the café with son Buddy. The chapters focus on different years, from the thirties through the present day, tied together with Dot’s annual letter catching everyone up on their former neighbors, even after everyone has moved away from Whistle Stop. Flagg has written a book where it seems that every good deed is paid forward. If you read the book Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café, or saw the film, you will enjoy visiting with the characters again. If not, you will still enjoy reading a feel-good novel with a HEA ending. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

If you loved Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café you will love revisiting your old friends and finding out what they have been up to all these years. Dot Weems keeps us up to date with her newsletters.

For readers who have not read Fried Green Tomatoes don’t worry, Fannie Flagg includes plenty of back story. For readers who just finished Fried Green Tomatoes, it might be a bit redundant but don’t give up, our friends have loads of new adventures. I especially enjoyed reading about Evelyn’s amazing accomplishments.

I really enjoyed this book and can count on Fannie Flagg giving us a happy ending which we so desperately need during these difficult times. Her stories are so full of love.

I was given a digital copy of this book from NetGalley for an honest review. This book will be published in the fall.

Another absolutely wonderful novel by Fannie Flagg. Wonderful characters provoke a sweet sense of melancholy.

Some of the beloved characters of “Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café” are back and a new generation has grown up in Fannie Flagg’s latest gem. She tells stories of the past, weaving them with the current happenings in places near and far from the ghost town Whistle Stop has become.

The heart of this book is “Bud” Threadgoode, the adopted son of Idgie, birth son of Ruth, both of whom owned and ran the Whistle Stop Café. Bud is grown now; we get to meet his daughter Ruth in this book and follow his uneven path back to the life he loved.

Flagg takes the reader back in time from the 1930’s to present time, filling in the backstory of all the characters old and new. The short, snappy chapters are like sitting around with your favorite aunt telling you stories about your family’s past. The ease of transition from 1935 to present day is masterfully done and easy to follow.

The richness and difference of personalities shines through. Idgie has a heart of gold, but is not without problems. Ruthie is loved but challenged by the new family she marries into and Bud has lived a long and fulfilling life in spite of having lost an arm in an accident as a child.

I am a huge fan of Fannie Flagg’s books. Her style is easy to read and comforting because the message isn’t one of everything going right for the characters, but how they adapt, adjust and enjoy life no matter what happens, both good and bad.

This is the fifth book I have read by Ms. Flagg. I will never tire of her style, characters and the way she approaches and tells her stories. I highly recommend it to anyone that enjoys women’s fiction, general fiction, cozies and southern fiction.

DISCLOSURE OF MATERIAL CONNECTION: I have a material connection because I received a review copy for free from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. Copyright © 2020 Laura Hartman

I think any lover of Fried Green Tomatoes will love this book. It is still historical fiction and puts us right back in Whistle Stop. Here the focus is on Buddy and Ruth which were my favorites from the first book so it was good to get into their heads a bit! The book was well-written and quick-paced, perfect for taking your mind off the troubles of the day. My only complaint is now it is 2020 and I would expect more exploration of the Black characters. However, Fannie Flagg is a white woman so it might have been better for her to stick closer to her own expertise, it's hard to know.

I must confess that I've never read a Fannie Flagg book which I didn't thoroughly enjoy. The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop is no exception. Along with a look back at the first book and crafting a bridge to the present, Fannie Flagg has created a delightful, joyful read. As always she ties it all up with a "happy ending" for all. Highly recommended!