I think I have found the best book of this year!

The third book in the series about the same Elmwood Springs and the best one for me. It's about my favorite old lady Elner, a woman who loved Easter, caramel cake, coffee and bacon in the morning, knew everyone and everything in the little town, was the only person who never hid from the Jehovah's Witnesses and turned on all the electronics and lights in the house on Thomas Edison's birthday.

One April morning, Elner fell off the ladder when she was picking figs for cooking. Death was recorded in the hospital, but the old lady decided to live a little longer. The news of her death spread quickly even in a small town like Elmwood Springs. And then the most interesting part begins. Somewhere I once read the phrase that death does not only happen to the person who is dying, it happens to all those who loved and knew her. Well, this book very beautifully illustrates these words because everyone who loved Elner (and everyone loved her) began to remember, be grateful, grieve and pay respect. Each in their own way and it was both tear-jerking and gave me goosebumps.

A lovely, kind, cheerful and despite some of her naivety - a deep story about death, acceptance, grief, a second chance, family ties and the mark that a person leaves in the hearts of others after themselves. I heard a lot of good reviews specifically about this part of the tetralogy and now I understand why. I laughed throughout all 320 pages and it was sincere.

I even think that this book can be read separately from all the other parts. Because it is completely self-sufficient and for me it is definitely better than the previous two! As Tot the grouch said: "These days all sensible people are nervous!", but this story has a wonderful and, by the way, completely incomprehensible ability to calm and inspire.

I got these books on Audible, and they were read by the author, which is really nice to listen to.

However, I then realized that they were the abridged version. WTF?! Why on earth would anyone abridge a book? And why would the author agree to that? It's a real shame! Seriously, they wrote the full version for a reason.

Surprisingly, even the abridged version of the book was great! I love the fantastical story about these wonderful, down-home, imperfect people in this Missouri town. With difficult relatives and trips to heaven, what more could you ask for? It's a captivating tale that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

Despite being abridged, it still manages to convey the essence and charm of the original story. I just wish I could have experienced the full version to fully appreciate all the details and nuances that the author intended.

Nonetheless, I'm still glad I listened to the abridged version and discovered this amazing story.

I have never read a Fannie Flagg book before and I'm very much on the fence about it.

I can guarantee that the book club discussion will likely convince me that I liked it more than I initially thought. As is my usual experience with this genre, one page will drive me to the point of eye-rolling bonkers, while another will bring about an "Awww" moment, along with some thoughtful "Hmmm's" and head nodding.

The approach to some themes in the book was surprisingly progressive, considering it also features small town, stock gender, and conservative characters. Ninety percent of it was feel good, warm fuzzy, cozy reading, with only a couple of moments that delved into greater depth.

I wasn't entirely sure where the writer was coming from. Was it author confusion or was she truly that adept at portraying diverse personalities and different sides of the fence? Since I'm a positive reader, I'll choose to hope for the latter.

I'm looking forward to seeing how the book club discussion unfolds and whether it will further clarify my thoughts on Fannie Flagg's work.

How much I loved this book!! I adored the story and loved the characters, especially the amazing protagonist, Elner. I have a great affection for Fannie Flagg's style. It is extremely ironic and funny, yet at the same time, it is able to deeply touch the heart. This is a wonderful book indeed! It takes the reader on a journey filled with interesting events and memorable characters. Elner's adventures and her unique personality make the story truly engaging. The author's use of irony and humor adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the reading experience. It's not just a light-hearted read; it also has the power to make you think and feel. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a great story that combines entertainment and emotion.

This was an absolutely wonderful book!

It was so captivating that it was extremely hard to put down.

In fact, I accidentally read book 4 in the series before the others. However, that didn't spoil it a bit.

The entire series was truly great.

There are many books where you can easily predict what's going to happen, but that's not the case with these.

All the wisdom, the unexpected twists and turns, they are just wonderful.

It's a lovely book that I would highly recommend to anyone.

Whether you're a fan of the genre or just looking for a great read, this series is definitely worth checking out.

You'll be hooked from the very first page and won't want to stop until you've finished the last one.

So, don't hesitate, pick up this book and let the adventure begin!

Audio book read by Cassandra Campbell

From the dust jacket:
Life is truly the most extraordinary thing. One moment, Mrs Elner Shimfissle is up in her tree, happily picking figs. And then, in the blink of an eye, she finds herself embarking on an adventure she could never have imagined, encountering people she would never have expected to meet in a million years. Meanwhile, back at home, Elner's nervous and high-strung niece Norma faints and ends up in bed with a cold rag on her head. Elner's neighbor Verbena immediately rushes to the Bible for comfort. Her truck driver friend, Luther Griggs, whom Elner has known since he was a boy, runs his eighteen-wheeler into a ditch. And the entire town is left in a state of confusion, wondering, "What is life all about anyway?" Except for Tot Whooten, who owns Tot's Tell it Like It IS beauty shop. Her main concern is that the end of the world might come before she can collect her social security.

My reactions:
This is a charming and gentle story about one woman's impact on her community. It serves as a reminder for all of us to think about the cycle of life and our place in it. Flagg fills Elmwood Springs with vivid and colorful characters. Despite their eccentricity, they are completely relatable. We have a matriarch who touches everyone with her genuine kindness, straightforward advice, and simple life lessons. There are the local busybodies with hearts of gold who come together to help anyone facing one of life's tragedies. And no community would be complete without the juvenile delinquent who is on the verge of a life of crime but is set straight by a kind person and given a reason to stay on the right path.
Is this an unrealistic community? Perhaps, but I still understand the moral of the story. Flagg makes me realize that the things I value most have nothing to do with material possessions and everything to do with the relationships I have built over the years. It's not great literature. It's not even Flagg's best work. But I did enjoy the time I spent with Elner and the residents of Elmwood Springs.
Cassandra Campbell does an excellent job with the audio. I especially liked how she brought to life some of the more excitable characters like Norma and Tot. Her narration added an extra layer of depth and enjoyment to the story.

I truly have a deep affection for Fannie Flagg. Her books that are filled with southern hospitality manage to charm me every single time.

And let's be honest, how could one not fall in love with a 92-year-old sweetheart named Elner Shimfissel? In this particular book, Elner is up on a ladder in her backyard, busily picking figs. She has a passion for making fig preserves and sharing them with anyone and everyone.

However, this time, unfortunately, she loses her balance and falls off the ladder. As a result, she starts having encounters with people from her past who have long since passed away. After some time, Elner eventually 'wakes up' and returns to her normal life.

This book is uproariously funny, featuring a cast of characters that also appear in several of Flagg's other works. When you read about these folks, you simply feel great and wish you could stay in their company for a while longer.

My children often tell me that I can't rate every book a 5, but having been an avid reader for many years, I know a 5-star book when I come across one. So, go ahead and savor every single minute of this wonderful winner!

Laugh out loud funny, this book vividly describes how any single person can have a profound influence on the lives of their neighbors.

Elner Shimfissle is a remarkable woman, blessed with an inquiring mind and a large, loving heart. In her eighties, or perhaps nineties (she doesn't really know her age precisely as she was born at home and the only record was in the family bible, which her sister Ida buried years ago to hide her own real age), she decides to make fig jam for her friends. However, while picking figs, she is attacked by wasps and falls out of the tree.

Elner is pronounced dead, and her family and neighbors immediately swing into action, preparing for her funeral. Her friends take care of her cat and clean her house. The local paper prepares her obituary, and even her favorite radio station airs the news of her demise. The number of requests at the florist is overwhelming. Each person has a unique recollection of Elner, many of them hilarious, and most of them sweet. There are countless good reasons for people to be glad they knew her.

In the meantime, Elner gets to go to heaven and ask all the questions she has had throughout her life. Her very first question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg? I'm not revealing the answer here, but it's wonderful to finally have that knowledge.

Fannie Flagg has assembled a large cast of characters in this book, yet each one is so memorable that it's effortless to keep them all distinct in your mind.

To me, Fannie Flagg's books are like a warm and inviting plate of comfort food.

This particular one is no exception. It is brimming with a cast of delightfully quirky characters, and the spotlight shines brightly on one in particular - Elner Shimfissle. Oh, how I long to be the kind of person she is, with her boundless zest for life and her unconditional acceptance of others.

But truly, I found myself thoroughly enjoying all of the characters in this book. Even those who, in the real world, I might not necessarily take a liking to.

Anyway, in this story, there isn't anything overly grand or earth-shattering that occurs. There isn't a great and menacing evil to battle against, nor are there any vampires, not even the sparkly kind. It is simply a charming tale about how our lives have an impact on those who are around us. And you know what? I really, really enjoyed it a whole lot!

It's the kind of book that makes you smile, makes you think, and leaves you with a warm feeling in your heart.

I find myself increasingly getting addicted to all this fantasy kindness and community. It's as if I'm starving for it. In today's world, we all seem to be constantly staring at our phones and listening to our audiobooks through ear buds, just like I have been all day today. We pay no attention to our neighbors or make any effort to nurture friendships. It's truly a sad state of affairs. Spending all day immersed in a fantasy community instead of reaching out and improving my own relationships feels like a kind of sickness. I wonder if others feel the same way. Do we all long for that real connection and kindness that seems to be lacking in our daily lives? Maybe it's time for us to put down our devices and start engaging with the people around us. After all, real relationships are what truly matter in the end.

Fabulous!

Fanny Flagg is an incredibly talented author who has a remarkable ability to captivate readers with her engaging stories and well-developed characters.

Her works are known for their charm, warmth, and relatable themes that resonate with audiences of all ages.

Whether it's a heartwarming tale of friendship, a coming-of-age story, or a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Fanny Flagg always delivers.

Her writing style is unique and engaging, making it easy for readers to get lost in her fictional worlds.

With each new book, she continues to prove that she is a master of her craft and that she will never disappoint her fans.

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading Fanny Flagg's work, you are truly missing out on some amazing literary experiences.

So, do yourself a favor and pick up one of her books today.

You won't be disappointed!

This may not be everyone's cup of tea but it certainly was mine (and I don't like tea).

This novel approaches the topic of death in the most uproarious and hilarious fashion. At the same time, it has the power to inspire you to take a closer look at your own life and the people who surround you.

You might be astonished to discover that a simple word or action could hold profound meaning for someone else. And when you depart this world, your love and friendship may be missed to a greater extent than you could ever imagine.

So, what lies beyond this life? It's probably not precisely what Elner experienced, and yet, in some respects, it might be.

It's pleasant to envision that Heaven is a place you're already familiar with, perhaps with the added charm of orange polka-dot squirrels.

As a devoted fan of Billie Letts, I've had Fannie Flagg's books recommended to me on multiple occasions. So, when I spotted this one at a thrift store for just 50 cents, I had to pick it up.

Sometimes, the computer-generated list gets it absolutely right. I could potentially nitpick a couple of things, but I enjoyed this book so immensely that I simply have to award it 5 stars!

"It's not likely he could shoot himself between the eyes, throw the gun across the room, and then put a bucket on his head." With something quotable on approximately every other page, I found myself smiling right up until the very end.

All the questions were answered, and everyone received a happy ending - except maybe me, as I will truly miss Aunt Elner Shimfissle. And I have no clue what to read next after my wonderful visit to Elmwood Springs.