Why did this have to end?? I just loved returning to Whistle Stop and traveling through time with Bud and all the folks. Such a feel good, down home, family tale. Fannie Flagg is a master story teller. I think I’ll make some fried green tomatoes for dinner!! Many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I adored every page it was like a family reunion! This is a story about the old whistle stop cafe family but mostly Buddy Jr. Ruth's son who lost a arm in a train accident when he was younger and his current family. You get to find out where the Whistle Stop gang went and such. after the town just kind of died and everyone moved on We get flash backs and current news letters about almost everyone I loved the letters from Dot Weems who wrote the towns news letter and then email as the years moved forward and technologies changed trying to keeping the whistle stop family together.

Thank you Fannie Flagg for revisiting Whistle Stop and giving us a reminder of what a wonderful town this was.

I want to curl up with my cozy blanket, a cup of coffee and read it all over again.

My thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop // by Fannie Flag

When I first saw this title a few months ago, I jumped at the chance to hear about the Whistle Stop characters again. Later though, I started to dread reading it more and more because I adored Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe and was worried that maybe this would not be as good and would ruin my memories of it a little. I am so glad I can now say that I was so wrong to feel that way because I read it all in one day and loved every minute of it!

Now, this is not a book that has a huge buildup or exciting event, fantastic world-building, or would win literary awards for its plot devices. But I don't say that to be rude or take anything away from it. I say that so you don't go into it with the wrong expectations because I definitely think this is for a specific group of readers that just loves this kind of storytelling. This book is slow and steady and so so sweet. I often wonder what happens to characters after the ending of a book and that's really what this book does. These are normal people with normal lives like you and me that struggle with the realities of a changing world.

The set up is very similar to the first book with short chapters, Dot Weems' newsletters, and following many different characters but it is just as charming. We skip back and forth in time constantly following all the main characters from before and I love how slowly, everything seems to fit together. I'm usually not a fan of perfect endings that clean up everything nice and neat, but that approach fit perfectly here. I loved the mix of old and new, rich and poor, good and bad, and everything in between. I'm so glad that I decided to read this after all.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to get this ARC and the story was so much better than I even expected! Make sure to read Whistle Stop Cafe before this one as this one is a follow up that ties everything up nicely. Fannie Flagg in my opinion is one of the best writers out there. Nobody can give you the cozy homey happy feeling like she does. Loved this one and HIGHLY recommend.

Reading over some of the other reviews, I've seen complaints that the chapters were too scattershot and that some of the events in this sequel don't perfectly align with the events in the first book. Well, you don't read a Fannie Flagg book for continuity or chronology (neither of which have ever been her strong suits). You read Fannie Flagg for her warm voice and her quirky & lovable characters. All of those things were on full display in this delightful novel. I adored every page.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing an ARC copy for my review.

I read Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe a long time ago, so I was surprised to find how much I remembered about those memorable characters. The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop takes that story into the present. Buddy, the eponymous “Wonder Boy” is now an adult and we follow his story, learning about his marriage, his daughter Ruthie, and her life. Evelyn Couch reappears as an older adult and she “pays it forward” as she emboldens Ruthie in the same way as Ninny Threadgoode encouraged her years before. As the title implies, it all ends up at Whistle Stop.

This is a character-driven story, with short chapters that bounce back and forth in time. At the beginning I found this a bit frustrating but as the story progresses, it has a rhythm to it that makes sense. It shows how one’s childhood influences who you become as an adult. While not quite as delightful as Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, I found it to be a pleasing and positive story, a lift in these difficult times.

If you, like me, only vaguely remember the details of Fried Green Tomatoes (it was published a long time ago) or never read it (or watched the movie), never fear- Flagg will catch you up on what's been going on in Whistle Stop, Alabama. Know, however, that the first part of this introduces a lot of characters and bounces around in time to the extent you might get frustrated. Keep reading though fo a nice tale of a small town that's very character centric rather than plot driven. Buddy, who moved away a long time ago, comes back to town to see how things are. The economy has slipped, the town almost abandoned but the people- oh the people have their stories. The chapters are short (which encourages you to keep reading past when you should be turning out the light) but Flagg has a way of capturing a person. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Flagg's fans will be happy with this one and new readers will have a pleasant trip to a small town full of hope.

This novel is great for those who loved the previous novel, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe because we check in with all the beloved characters. However, the format of the book is disappointing, as it jumps around and gets confusing with a kind of meandering non-plot, at least in the first part. However, for those who loved the first book, I think this is a good addition to your library and worth a read.

If you are a Fanny Flagg fan, you will probably love this book. If you are a reader who has never read Fanny Flagg but you’ve heard about her and her great writing, you may find the beginning of this book a little slow, and you might even start to wonder what all the Fannie excitement was about. There is a lot of background, told in snatches, catching us up with beloved characters which Fannie’s fans will love. But for others so much backstory update makes for a slow beginning. Once we get into the story of Buddy in his older years, the book becomes very interesting. At that point it moves right along and once again you care about families and characters. And of course, we would all like to see The Whistle Stop Cafe restored to its unique glory. Is that possible?

For Fanny Flagg friends this book should be a five star but for those trying to get to know Fanny this book will probably be a low four-star so I am going to give it four stars.

After many years, another story of Whistle Stop Cafe and its memorable characters is available to us. If you've been missing the adventures and exploits of Idgie, Ruth, Evelyn, Buddy, and the rest of the gang, this is your fix! New storylines are added, most prominently one following Ruthie, Buddy's daughter, and some additional snippets from the 1930's to the 60's fill in more of the cafe hay day years. One noteworthy editing issue - the date of Ruth's death is inconsistent from the first book, although even in Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe two dates with different years were referenced. I don't think anyone would notice this, however, unless you read the books back to back as I did. While I didn't find this story to be as strong or developed as the first book, it was still a fun step back into the world of Whistle Stop.

Fannie Flagg’s books are always delightful and this one is no exception. Whistle Stop is no more and those that lived there are scattered about, but keep in touch through Dot Weems annual Christmas Letter. What a lovely walk down memory lane as we are reacquainted with beloved characters as well as meeting the many new! As we hear more stories of Whistle Stop and it’s inhabitants, we can’t help but have warm and fuzzy feelings along with a smile on our faces that lasts from start to finish. This was a charming old fashioned read with the surprise ending that I was hoping for throughout the entire book❣️

Thank you to Fannie Flagg, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I would be surprised if there is anyone who hasn’t heard of the lovable characters of Whistle Stop, Alabama. The story begins around 1938, and the reader is taken on a journey thru their lives to the present. Most people have moved on as modern day technology has overrun the small town and businesses had to close. Bud Threadgoode is still yearning for the past of growing up in Whistle Stop with his mother Ruth and hilarious, independent Aunt Idgie, who ran the Whistle Stop Cafe. When Ruth, who has lost her husband, and wishing she could lose her mother-in-law, meets, by chance, Evelyn Couch, life begins again. Their adventures thru the past, as they their dreams come true, will delight any reader. I loved this book.

If you're like me, you've been waiting a long time to find out what happened to your favorite characters from Whistle Stop, Alabama, not to mention Evelyn Couch. Where did they go? Did they all lose touch? I can tell you without spoiling anything that the answer to the latter is no, they didn't. Dot Weems first sends Christmas cards and then discovers email to keep everyone in the loop. But what about the town itself?

Well, it's probably better not to ask what Whistle Stop looks like these days. But when Bud Threadgoode's granddaughter Ruthie meets up with Evelyn Couch they are unphased by what 50+ years of neglect can do to a town.

It may have taken a while, but Fannie Flagg does not disappoint with this sequel. In her typical chatty style, we learn about what happened to the town and its inhabitants when the trains started just passing through without stopping. And then we zoom into the future to see how Whistle Stop lives on in spirit, and maybe even in reality.

Like all of Fannie Flagg's novels, The WonderBoy of Whistle Stop is a delightful read. It is a celebration of the simple things in life, which are, in fact, the most important - family, friendship, love and loyalty. I really enjoyed the wonderful characters and the positive attitude with which even difficult situations are overcome. If you need an enjoyable, uplifting read then this is the book for you. Highly recommended. Thanks to NetGalley, Random House and Fannie Flagg for the ARC.

The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop by Fannie Flagg - A totally entertaining whirlwind of a novel.  No one I have ever read has an imagination like Fannie Flagg. Her books take you to new places and you get to experience everything that happens through the well developed characters. This book was a pleasure to read and I look forward to her next. Thank you Net Galley and Random House Publishing  for the opportunity to read this book.

So first, I must admit, I have not yet read Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. I need to make that clear. When I requested this book from NetGalley, I did so based on the author as I have read her more recent books and loved them. That said, I enjoyed this book without that background so I can only imagine how much those who know the characters will enjoy it.

This book is full of warm characters, people you wouldn't mind having as neighbors and friends. Many times they made me smile and laugh. The book is colorful and you can really picture the people and places. The story does move around in time but in a good way and easy to follow. The history fits together and by the end you are smiling and left with a good feeling. I don't like reviews that reveal too much, so I'll leave it with just read the book. Oh, and yes, I will be reading Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe!

Note - Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read and review this book.

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.