I was so happy to be able to visit The Whistle Stop Cafe again. I love Fried Green Tomato's so much and just HAD to have the second book. Ms. Flagg is still at her heartwarming best and I have read everything she has written. There are not many author's I can say that about. The book is a quick and easy read, with short chapters, that tell us about the past and the present.

Not many books make me laugh out loud but Fannie Flagg's wonderful latest novel did! It's a real page turner and brimming full of fun and kindness. The characters are real and flawed and just like us and somehow things always turn out for the best. Although this book isn't nearly as good as the first one, I found it inspiring and satisfying. A perfect read for anytime but particularly during these challenging times.

Whistle Stop is back and whether you grew up in a small town or a large town, you’ll find the characters just as endearing in the follow up to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. It took me a little while to get the rhythm of the non-sequential time periods, but once I figured it out that it took me from 1935, to the 1990’s and into the 21st century, I enjoyed it. The heart of the book is Buddy Threadgoode, the one-armed boy adopted by Idge and raised by his birth mom and Idge in the cafe. But its more than that, it’s the continuation of the small town long after its demise. It’s the Christmas letters sent to everyone by the former post mistress. It’s the connections that residents make as they move to other places. It’s a comforting message for us. It’s the importance of human connections, the importance of caring and the importance of making a difference in someone’s life.

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞, 𝐈 𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐢𝐧’𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐠𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐰𝐡𝐲 𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐩 𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐢𝐝.

Fannie Flagg’s return to the small town of Whistle Stop, Alabama and the people of the beloved 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘊𝘢𝘧𝘦 had me jumping for joy. I always wondered who little Bud Threadgoode would grow up to be and what life would do to him. Some of the favorites are now themselves old timers and gossip still finds its way to their eyes and ears despite that Whistle Stop has “gone to seed” just like all the other ghost towns scattered about America… We join former Sherriff Grady Kilgore, now retired and in his seventies (but still a bear of a man), living in Tennessee as he brings his grandson where the cafe used to stand. He is heartbroken with what stands before his eyes, nothing but Kudzu vines. With a tear, he reminisces.

Then we jump back and forth between past and present, Idgie and Ruth’s friendship and antics, a little refresher for those who never read the first book and everything that followed after the birth of Buddy Jr. Twenty-five years since his birth like a flash, the little cafe bustles no more after the decline of passenger travel and Idgie is Florida bound. Dot keeps up her letter writing to “keep the community of Whistle Stop connected”. Times are a-changin, Bud is all grown up with a family of his own and as with us all, time rushes at him as fast as the train that once took his arm. Life has been full of blessings and losses, so much living and now in his declining years he wants nothing more than to return to the place and time that filled his heart with so much happiness and love, Whistle Stop. He will do anything to get there, now a wandering old man who puts his daughter Ruthie out of sorts with worry for her old dad. Ruthie, whose own love story has its complications, struggling to be good enough, with her own children to fret over, a never-ending circle… Who could forgot wild Idgie? Idgie will still touch all their lives, as characters return to finish the story started so long ago.

I enjoyed the sequel, sure you still have snobbery and mean spirited fools but the main theme is old friends and love, people coming together to lift one another up. Bones may creak with old age but there is still fire in their hearts and a youthful glimmer in their eyes. Good old southern fiction! We love people and lose them, the price we pay for this strange journey called life. I can still hear the distant whistle of the train… Perfect for fans though can still enjoy the novel without reading the first, I highly recommend you read 𝘍𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘎𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘦𝘴 𝘈𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘞𝘩𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘚𝘵𝘰𝘱 𝘊𝘢𝘧𝘦 and see the movie, both are wonderful.

Publication Date: October 27, 2020

Random House

I discovered Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe just last year and absolutely loved it, so I was excited to see Fannie Flagg has written a sequel. And it was wonderful. It brought the story of Whistle Stop and its whole cast of characters up to the present day and it was lovely to find out how they all turned out.

I will say though, the best part of the first one were the mysteries interwoven in the story and this lacked that suspense but for a true fan it was a great read nonetheless.

Fannie Flagg has been one of my favorite authors since I read Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe many years ago. I watched the movie after that, and learned that the film script was nominated for an Academy award - and did win the Scripter Award for best screenplay of that year.

Since that first story, have read every book published by Fannie Flagg, and recently was thrilled when Net Galley allowed me to read The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop, due to be published 10/7/20. I just finished reading it and it left my heart so happy, my throat wants to fill with tears. I absolutely love this story, more than any book I have read this year so far. Each of Fannie Flagg's books are filled with an innocence and simplicity that truly warm the heart. She writes of bygone days interspersed with current times, emotions and feelings, and the result is this delightful look at the past - her words provide hope for the future, and make the reader long for simpler, sweeter times.

In this newest story we meet characters introduced originally in Fried Green Tomatoes - particularly Evelyn Couch, who's serendipitous encounter with Ninny Threadgoode at a retirement home outside Birmingham, Alabama changed the course of Evelyn's life, and captivated my soul. The movie expresses it beautiful when Eveyln "accidentally" back into a smaller, quicker car driven by two younger, more beautiful characters who treat her shabbily; face it girls, I am older and have more insurance! At that moment, Evelyn, empowered by Ninny's words, takes back her life. That beautiful convergence is the basis for the book/movie Fried Green Tomatoes and it's quirky, wonderful characters. Evelyn is back in the new book, and we learn how that happenstance completely changed Evelyn's life, even more than we saw in the first book. The theme of the Wonder Boy is how to illustrate how our stories are all threads that truly weave us together in our histories and our lives; how just one tiny moment in time sends us in a direction we cannot possibly imagine. I am so glad to know what happened to Evelyn, to Buddy Threadgoode. Idgy Threadgoode herself, and to all those wonderful souls from Whistle Stop, Alabama. I am sad it is over, but I am so glad to have read it!

Fannie Flagg brings us back to Whistle Stop, Alabama in a much anticipated follow-up to "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe". Buddy Threadgoode is all grown up with children and grandchildren of his own. We get to revisit the town and all its inhabitants in the past, as well as catch up with what they are doing now. Chapters are typically short and jump around to different time periods from the 1930's through the present day. Some people may find this disorienting as it is not linear or only in two time periods. But it works. It's filled with humor, drama, heart and warmth, as is typical of her books. Even when bad or sad things happen, you somehow feel uplifted. I have read all her books and this certainly does not disappoint.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to spend time with characters who are funny, strong, resilient and who show the true meaning of love, friendship and community. A truly feel good book. I will highly recommend to my library patrons.
Thank you to Ms. Flagg for writing this. Thank you to Random House and Net Galley for this digital review copy.

Delightful. Not so much plot wise, but more like sitting down and catching up with old friends. A welcome respite from all of the frustrations of life in 2020.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Advancer Reader Copy.

I was very excited to see that Fannie Flagg has written a sequel to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe so many years later. I didn't read the original book, but like everyone else have seen the film.

The writing is light and humorous, typical of the author's style. I loved visiting these characters again, even though the story was bittersweet - the setting is many years after the original, and all the original characters are now either old or gone. I loved that the chapters were short and sweet - easy to pick up and read a chapter or two throughout the day.

One can only hope that this sequel will also become a movie?

Thanks for the opportunity to read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this continuation of Whistle Stop and the focus on the later generations. If you enjoyed Fried Green Tomatoes, you will get right back into the story and find new information on some beloved characters. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to preview this book.

Fans of previous titles from Fannie Flagg will be thrilled with The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop. The Wonder Boy spans decades from the heyday of the cafe whose fried green tomatoes put Whistle Stop on the map to present day when Whistle Stop has gone to seed. The book is an interesting mix of current day story as Bud faces old age and years gone by, teaching the reader new tidbits about well loved characters such as Idgie and Ruth. If you enjoy stories that reminisce about "the good old days", explore the idea of whether one can truly go home again, and family-both found and biological, you'll likely enjoy The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop. While the book is enjoyable without having read "Fried Green Tomatoes", it is more meaningful if the reader has read or watched the movie adaptation of "Fried Green Tomatoes".

Thanks go to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Fannie Flagg always manages to write such heartwarming stories and this newest work from her is no exception. I found this to be a hybrid of short stories, a novel and a sentimental walk down memory lane featuring all the special characters from Whistle Stop.

I expected this to be more about Bud, but it seemed that it was about everybody, even though it did tell readers about what happened to Bud through the years after he left Whistle Stop.
In a sense, this was Bud recalling fond memories along with the written commentary of the newsletter put out by the local postmistress.

This is not the best as a stand alone novel. If you’ve read other work by this author, it will be more enjoyable. The timeline skips around from the 1930’s to the present day. At times, I felt like it was a bit confusing, but once I was deeper into the book that didn’t bother me so much.

Readers who like clean, heartwarming stories with happy endings will love this one. I think it’s also a great read for the holiday season.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House for allowing me to read an advance copy and give my honest review.

The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg takes a look at the life of Buddy Threadgoode from childhood to being a senior citizen. Buddy lost his arm in an accident as a young child. It never held him back and he learned to do most things other boys his age was able to do. After many successful years in a lucrative career he is ready for retirement or is he really?
I loved this book! It is an honest and sometimes funny, sometimes sad look at the life of fictional characters that seem like they live next door. The characters draw the reader in to the story line and, for me, it was difficult to put the book down. I could almost smell the café and the fried green tomatoes they served. All the citizens of Whistle Stop work together for the good of the community which is very uplifting in the day and age. There are parts that are very sad as is normal in everyone’s life as the circle of life goes on. I highly recommend this book and give it 5 of 5 stars. Well written and a very honest look at life and its ups and downs.
I received an advance copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

I loved visiting Whistle Stop again after many years away! Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is one of my top five favorite books of all time. When I got the chance to read the sequel, I was thrilled but apprehensive about it spoiling the original story for me. I even reread the first book right beforehand so the story would be fresh in my mind. It was so comforting to read the new book and to be back in that world with all my favorite characters. Thank you to Netgalley for this free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I don't mind admitting that I was apprehensive of reading Fannie Flagg's return to Whistle Stop in Alabama, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is a beloved favourite, and I was psyching myself up for disappointment. It is with joy that I report it was far from that, the original spirit and magic is all here as we are given a non-linear narrative, that goes back in forth in time from the 1930s to the present day, learning of what has happens to the close knit Whistle Stop community. It particularly focuses on Bud Threadgoode, the one armed son of Ruth and Frank, his wild, rebellious, and unforgettable Aunt Idgie, his long, happy marriage to Peggy and their daughter, Ruthie.

The snippets of information, and glimpses into the lives of the wide cast of characters, old and new, as the original community disperses far and wide, are provided by Dot Weems, the writer of newsletters, bringing news of births, marriages and deaths, as Whistle Stop dies a death with the closure of the railroad yard. Bud is not to be held back by his missing arm, to become a veterinarian, joining the army, running a successful practice, but as his life gets ever busier, his visits to Aunt Idgie who moves to Florida to be close to her brother, Julian, become few and far between. Ruthie marries, giving birth to two children, plagued by a mother in law who never really accepts her or her parents, deeming them not good enough. We learn of Chester, a dummy who writes to Bud, Sheriff Kilgore, Sipsey and Big George, the passing of Ninny, Opal Butts, the beauty shop owner, and, of course, Evelyn Crouch and how her life panned out. No-one forgets their lives from Whistle Stop, remembered with love and nostalgia, and the central role of its Cafe, and the antics of Idgie and the untimely demise of Ruth. This triggers the elderly Bud's visit to Whistle Stop, this leads to him and Ruthie meeting Evelyn. A new chapter to Whistle Stop is about to begin.

I loved being taken back to the wonders of Whistle Stop, to discover what happened to the characters, the secrets that emerge, the triumphs, the challenges and tragedies that must be faced, a community that never forgets each other, and the introduction of its new members. Evelyn Crouch is a revelation as she flourished beyond all measure after meeting Ninny, someone she never forgets as she forges connections with a lonely Ruthie who desperately needs a friend and Bud. This may not appeal to all the legion of fans of Fried Green Tomatoes, but I found it a delight, full of charm, a beguiling read that entertains and enthralls. Many thanks to Random House for an ARC.

This story is rather like a beautiful creek. It meanders along and around every turn there is a new and beautiful surprise.

Ms Flagg has created a wonderful story for her readers.

Bud grew up in Whistle Stop Alabama. He lived behind the cafe with his mother Ruth and his Aunt Idgie. He was well loved by both of them. In fact, he was well loved by everyone in town. And that town was packed full of people who wanted to love their fellow man.

When Bud was a young boy, he lost his left arm in an accident. At first, he felt very down hearted. But, then things changed for him. The change was brought about because of love for Bud. As Bud grew to be a grown man, he remained one of the nicest people anyone ever met.

The story includes several characters from the original story of Green Fried Tomatoes. There are also new people who add a great deal to the story. The stories of everyone bring home the facts that few people are perfect, but everyone can recover and become a better person.

Bud became a veterinarian. He had a successful practice with his wife, Peggy, working in the practice with him. They had one little girl named Ruth after his mother. Ruth grew up to be a beautiful woman who was as kind hearted as her parents

The story goes back and forth between time periods. The reader gets to know all the people who lived in Whistle Stop in the early 1930’s. It makes it easy to see the character of the small town and what made it such an exceptional place to live.

Lives are changed by outside events both bad and good. Sometimes lives are changed because of questionable choices.

As Bud goes through his life, he lives it the way he feels life should be lived. He believes in kindness, caring, love and a giant sense of humor. He never meets a stranger and people do not forget meeting such a man..

Although Bud is the main character in this story, everyone else is important. People who appear to be passing through create new paths to follow.

In the entire story, there is really only one main character who is not likable. But, that character uses up enough ugliness for several other people.

This book will make you laugh. The humor is an ongoing thing. There is a great deal of charm in each person in the story. Whether we are reading about a road house in the 1930’s or a train ride in the 21st century, each story holds the reader’s interest. No one is unimportant and no one is a dull character.

There are times when the unfairness of life seems to hit like a physical blow. But, no matter the blow, a strength and power shows through in each character.

This book is like every book I have read by Ms Flagg. It is a pattern for enjoying life, finding delightful people and believing things will work out for the best.

I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.

A nostalgic return to the town of Whistle Stop. Enjoyable bit of escapism to a place of good vibes, nice manners and kind people.

I love anything by Fanny Flagg and The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop was no exception. How fun it was to go back to visit the Threadgoode family and hear again all the stories of Whistle Stop, the cafe, the bee charmer and so much more.

This book is really the story of Buddy Threadgoode, the little boy nick-named "Stump' when he lost his arm in a railroad accident. Flagg weaves a story that tells about Bud's life which includes many Whistle Stop residents and other characters from the Fried Green Tomatoes book. It meanders slightly at times and goes back and forth in a timeline that is sometimes hard to follow, but I kept thinking that is exactly how families tell stories!

I am so thrilled to have gotten the opportunity to read an advanced copy of The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop and that Fannie Flagg completed the Fried Green Tomatoes saga in such a satisfying way. I read this book in one day.

I loved this book as much as most of Fannie Flagg's previous titles. The fact that she filled in so many background stories in such a clever way was intriguing. I can't wait for our book group[ to start meeting again so we can discuss this title. In the meantime, I will be recommending The Wonder Boy of Whistlestop to anybody looking for a warm. feel-good read.

I have always enjoyed all Fannie Flagg books and this is no exception. I read Fried Green Tomatoes Years ago and her new book helps the reader familiarize with the characters once again . I enjoyed the story of Bud , Ruth’s son in his adulthood and how his journey made a complete circle back to Whistle Stop where all the events made in the past effects his present day life .

This book started out very slow and was bouncing all over the place so I had a hard time getting interested in it. I also wonder because I did not read Fried Green Tomatoes before this one, if that’s why I was getting confused with all the many characters. I was a little disappointed in this book overall. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this early release in exchange for my honest review.