Rating: 
Summary: Sweetly drawn story of small-town life
Review: I am an avid fan of Fannie Flagg and have read all of her novels. Her latest, Standing in the Rainbow, is nothing short of miraculous. I loved it! The writing, as always, is quick, light and honest, but it is the genius storytelling in this novel that makes it a 5-star read for me.Standing in the Rainbow tells the story of the lives of the citizens of Elmwood Springs, Missouri, spanning through five decades beginning in the 40s. We have Dorothy Smith, hostess of the radio program, The Neighbor Dorothy Show that is transmitted live from her own living room. And Tot Whooten, the town hair stylist, who seems to be a walking, talking advertisement for bad luck. Also in town are the Goodnight sisters; Ida Jenkins, a wanna-be socialite; the Oatman Family Gospel Singers; Hamm Sparks, a very ambitious salesman; and Doc Smith, the local pharmacist. This novel has them all and more -- every character under the sun, a perfect blend of a neighborhood. I wasn't even born during most of the time frame this novel takes place in, but Fannie Flagg sure makes me wish I had been! A highly atmospheric story that evokes feelings of nostalgia and longing for the good ole days. The characters are unforgettable, Elmwood Springs is the perfect town, and after reading this book, you will feel as if you've lived there your entire life. Not much by the way of plot, however. Standing in the Rainbow is more of a slice-of-life novel, a darn good story about the lives of people in a small town and the events that take place throughout the years. Engrossing, funny, sweet, wistful and warmhearted, all Fannie Flagg fans will delight in this novel, and new fans will discover a treasure of an author within these pages.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps the Best Cast of Characters I've Read Before!
Review: I truly loved this story, and the characters were like real. Along with Neighbor Dorothy, the lady whose daily radio broadcasts keep us delightfully informed on all the local news, we also meet Bobby, her ten-year-old son, destined to live a thousand lives, most in his imagination. Norma and Macky Warren are looking out for their ninety-eight year old Aunt Elner, and putting up with her senilty. Hamm Sparks, who married Betty Rae Oatman, is sexy and charismatic as he can be, ends up selling himself short as a tractor salesman. He then gets into politics, and ends up in terrible trouble with many of the people in the state, making enemies all over. There is also Beatrice Woods, the Little Blind Songbird, who ends up singing with the Oatman family, helping their fame soar to the very highest level. The time in the book is from about 1946 until the present time. The town is Elmwood Springs Missouri, right in the middle of the country. The book will make you both laugh and cry at the same time.
Rating:
Summary: Can I go there?
Review: What a wonderful, enjoyable, fun read this was! I have to ask: Is there really such a place, and can I go there? Flagg has a unique knack for creating some of the most loveable characters ever to grace the written page. Sweet and summery, like a Jan Karon book, and well-written like something by McCrae (think Bark of the Dogwood) this page turner (the chapters are short) is nothing but sheer pleasure. Do yourself a favor and buy this one if you want to curl up with a good book and enjoy yourself.
Rating:
Summary: Flag this for comfort and humor
Review: Reading Fannie Flagg is the best of diversions from the complicated world of today. Just travel back to the simpler life of Elmwood Springs, Missouri, and the radio domain of Neighbor Dorothy. It is the 1940's in a small town of quite beauty with families and neighbors living very normal lives in a time just after WWII. Neighbor Dorothy is an incredible woman, a center for broadcasts that reach a huge span of listeners in many states. Her thirty minute broadcast, homespun with reliable sponsors, varied guests, a family of supporters, most especially Mother Smith at the organ, and talent that a world of media junkies might find hard to believe is the hub of the novel. The cast of thousands over the years draws in a cast of characters that are priceless and real, as the home of Dorothy and Doc, the local pharmacist, their children Anna Lee and Bobby, and their family pets, comes to house even the most desolate of persons. And the simple acceptance and open arms welcome of the Smith household just seems to be second nature, especially to Dorothy. One can only imagine how delightful Dorothy's cookies for on-the-air guests and audience members must smell. That thought alone draws the reader into this wonderful home. Skillfully, Flagg executes her story line in easy-going episodes, developing each character in relation to the others and revealing their personal oddities and endearing traits. From the gospel singing Oatmans and their retiring Betty Raye, to the in-for-a-meal poultry king, name of Fowler, to Hamm Sparks, the politician and future governor of Missouri, Flagg makes her characters vivid and fun, with potential greatness and feet of clay. Following these people, and their links to one another, through the decades until the 1990's makes for a pleasant journey with memorable events laced in, and humor at many a turn. Just thinking of Tot Whooten, Aunt Elner, Norma and Mackey Warren and Cecil Figgs makes me smile. Just thinking that Neighbor Dorothy has passed on brings a tear to my eye. I have liked reading Fannie Flagg's work for years, starting with "Fried Green Tomatoes..." and going back to "Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man" and she has never disappointed me. Flagg makes even the most serious of subjects palatable as she finds humor and delicious irony to provide relief from pain. No walk of life is "forbotten"; all the diversity of today's world resides in her novels, just more comfortably with the support of a small town acceptance of its own. Her colorful characters and plot devices make each read memorable and make me hope that she is busy writing yet another novel to share with us all.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous read!
Review: Once again, Fannie Flagg has delivered a host of characters so real that you feel as though you should pour yourself a cup of tea, pull up a chair and share a recipe with Neighbor Dorothy. Although I found the end of the book less appealing than the beginning, I still marvel at Flagg's writing and her ability to make her characters just jump off the page. Reminds me of the Dorsetville series by Katherine Valentine.
Rating: 
Summary: Echoes of a Simpler Life!
Review: This is a warm, sprawling novel that will appeal to many,because of its sympathetic portrayal of marriage and small-town life, and its evoking of a simpler time when people of character seemed to do what was right. The novel centers on a daily half-hour radio program during which Dorothy Smith exchanges cooking tips and recipes, talks about her family's doings, and invites her listeners to stop by for a cup of coffee. The program is like a friendly visit for her listeners, lonely farmwives in the rural Midwest. Flagg's book depicts good moral people,and the characters are left feeling nostalgia for the past, with echoes of Lake Wobegon.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Read
Review: This book was phenomenonally great from start to finish. From the first chapter, you are mentally intrigued and begin memorizing each new character's behavior, and mannerisms. Dorothy is one of the best characters, she never says a mean or ugly thing about anyone, she's available for anyone that needs her, and with each bit of love and kindness that she offers she gets it back 10 fold. You begin anticipating the growth of each character as the story unfolds and years go by. In the end each character has evolved in such a different way from their original self that you feel proud reading about them, for the most part.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful Voice and Character
Review: This novel spans the 40's to the 90's in a small Missouri town. The beginning of the novel is a bit slow but as I got into the book I realized that was due in part to the depth of the characters the author was creating. The voices that Fannie Flagg creates in this novel are so much fun to read. You become their friends and want to see where they are going to end up. There are some fun twists and just enough humor to keep you entertained throughout. This is the perfect book to read in short spurts. There are wonderful short chapters. I used it as a great lunchtime read. Enjoy!
Rating:
Summary: A must read
Review: Fried Green Tomatoes was, is, and will always be my favorite book and movie--of ALL the books and movies out there. I've worn out my VHS copy and am moving on to DVD. Wish me luck. That said, Standing in the Rainbow is a close second. While I love all of Flagg's books, FGT and this one are the best by far. Also recommended: FGT, Welcome to the World, Bark of the Dogwood, To Kill a Mockingbird
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful! Best I've Read!!
Review: Fannie Flagg is one of my most favorite authors, and this book is in my opinion the best she's written. The characters are great and I was really bummed to see this book end. I HIGHLY recommend!
| 
