Something to Look Forward To
Fictions
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3.9 • 53 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
A tapestry of joyful and startling interconnected stories that celebrate how people from all across America cope with adversity and unexpected changes in a confusing world—from the beloved New York Times bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe
Fannie Flagg once said that what the world needs now is a good laugh. And that is what she gives us in these warmhearted, always surprising stories about people who are finding clever ways to deal with the curveballs life sometimes throws at us.
Velma in Kansas, a loving great-grandmother, struggles to bridge generational gaps with her family. We cheer for Helen, in Ithaca, New York, who takes an audacious course of action when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. In Bent Fork, Wyoming; in Milwaukee, Wisconsin; in Tucson, Arizona; and in towns and cities all across America, people figure out inventive ways to overcome obstacles to happiness. And in Fort Wayne, Indiana, Special Agent Frawley is studying the mysteries of being human from an original perspective.
With her imagination, humor, and great understanding of the human heart, Fannie Flagg holds a mirror up to the foibles, ingenuity, and imagination of people, inspiring us to laugh at the sometimes eccentric, sometimes brilliant ways people cope with, and ultimately prevail over, the challenges of modern life.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Flagg follows The Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop with a charming collection full of characters transformed by unexpected changes of circumstance. "Special Agent William Frawley" follows the eponymous alien agent, who's sent to Earth to study human life. When he stops in an Indiana Baskin-Robbins, he charms the woman working there with his enthusiasm for every little detail. In "Don't Forget to Write," Helen, 64, is stunned when her husband leaves her for the younger Cassandra. She continues to dote on him, however, and even delivers his laundry to Cassandra's house. Then Cassandra threatens to get a restraining order, at which point Helen's interventions take a dark turn. An elderly woman in "The Dreaded D Word" is aghast when her money manager advises her to sell her lavish Alabama home, prompting her to take desperate measures to avoid the indignity of an estate sale. "Two Different Worlds," one of several linked stories about the Vanderhoff family, traces the generational divide between Kansas farmer Velma Vanderhoff and her granddaughter Cathy, a yoga instructor in California, while "City of Lost Dreams" tells the sad story of Cathy's late mother. In these homespun tales, Flagg channels her characters' fear of change and offers a genuine sense of hope. The author's fans will love this.
Customer Reviews
Collection of Stories
I enjoyed the stories. It took me a little bit to start seeing connecting threads. Once I did see connections, the book felt much more compelling. Very enjoyable read!
Y’all be quiet, now, ya hear!
(You will need to read the book to get the … be quiet… reference)
Profound
There have been few books that have left such a profound impression on myself — with this being one of the few. Flagg’s ability to examine the human condition from up close and personal perspectives to one of an outsider was incredibly compelling, heartfelt, and genuine. As a fan of Flagg and her many works, her stories have always left me with something to look forward to; and for that I wish her all the best.