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Summary: Thank you Ms. Flagg!
Review: This is the first book by Fannie Flagg that I had the pleasure of reading and all I can say is Thank You!!! What a great cast of characters; there is Dena Nordstrom, the worldly (?) and sophisticated young woman, trying to figure out just what life and love are all about, considering she can't remember what it felt like to be loved. Her "best friend" Sookie, who thinks she knows Dena better than herself, and she may be right. Norma and Mackey, the most lovable couple, funny and innocent, and just plain good folks, and Aunt Elner, with all the wisdom of the ages! But lets not forget Elizabeth Diggers, who finally gets Dena to look at life and love, and Ira the rat! Along with so many more lovable and human characters. I really loved this story, I loved the way it unfolded to bring me back to the past and help me to understand the "present" lives of the characters. I laughted and cried and felt all so human. To anyone who liked the Ya Ya's read this book, you won't regret it! Thanks again, Ms. Flagg :)
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Summary: Freud Green Tomatoes
Review: Welcome to the world of Dena Nordstrom (Debra Norville?), pioneering woman broadcast journalist, tall cool drink of water and American Nordic ice princess. In an attempt to create an interesting, conlficted heroine, Fannie Flagg has delivered a paper-thin cliche, like so many bestsellers marketed to us women. "Baby Girl" would have been more entertaining if Dena were truly a strong woman and able to handle the stress of her job without suffering bleeding ulcers or being an alcoholic. Then again, Dena is ultiamtely the sum of her weaknesses, and this would be a different story without them. Still, I would have liked to see Dena persevere, instead of being unable to handle success because of her traumatic childhood. Her secret was something of a letdown, and the ultimate explanation for her mother's disappearance is utterly implausible. The other characters, too, are weak. I'm not sure what her first psychiatrist, Dr. Gerry O'Malley, saw in her -- she was utterly cruel to him. And I found Flagg's portrayal of Alabama and Missouri small-town life rather caramelized, even a bit patronizing. In truth, rural living is no more idyllic than living in The Big, Scary, Busy, Unfeeling City. As in "Fried Green Tomatoes," Flagg takes on sensitive issues of race, and throws in a murder for good measure -- but Fried Green Tomatoes was much more effective. Entertaining enough, but improbable and as light as Neighbor Dorothy's buttermilk biscuits. P.S. If her mother's disappearance wasn't resolved until nearly the book's end, how on earth did she support herself from age 15 though college? Her grandparents? A trust fund? Unlikely, considering her mother supported them by working in dress shops. And I don't think sororities at expensive private Southern universities accepted poor orphans in the 1960s, not even blonde, beautiful and talented ones. Dandy airplane/poolside reading. But it's much shallower than "Fried Green Tomatoes," even through it strives for depth. I don't know if this was this an Oprah's Book Club selection, but it bears the signature trait of that category--a conflicted heroine with small-town roots.
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Summary: FANNIE FLAGG DELIVERS AGAIN!!
Review: I read this fine book when it first was released. I just finished reading it for the second time, realizing the second read was more profound than the first. Fannie Flagg masterfully weaves a humorous, touching, emotional, hysterical, supsenseful, and heart warming tale. True to her style, her characters are eccentric, endearing, flawed but loveable, and captivating. This story flows beautifully, and the reader is swept along with Dean Nordstrom on a quest of self. The mystery that insues is so titilating, one must read on to find the truth with Dena. This book is not a life changing event, but it is pure, rich, delicious fiction at it's most enjoyable. I laughed out loud, I read through blinding tears, I ached in empathy, I roared at simplicity......I relished the myriad of emotions Flagg infused in me. Treat yourself to this most delightful and sensitive book; fans of Fannie's will not be disappointed!!
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Summary: Small town girl makes good in the big city.
Review: Dena Nordstrom is intelligent, charming, and gorgeous. She has an impressive career in news media but for whatever reason it just doesn't sit well with her stomach. Fannie Flagg has created a world of wonderful and endearing characters that you won't soon forget, in a little town that we would all be lucky to call home. Neighbor Dorothy was my particular favorite; with her daily radio station she tells us everything from the latest town gossip to how to clean a down pillow. There is a bit of love and mystery as Dena uncovers her past, which she seems to have conveniently forgotten. She has dreams of carousels and memories that just don't fit into place. The haunting question in her life is why did her mother leave her at the age of 14 and is she dead or alive? An enjoyable book by the author who also brought you the novel, "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café". 3/17/01
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Summary: Eye Opener
Review: I found this book to start out very slow but much like a good stew the longer it simmers the better it gets. I became engrossed in who the baby girl was and how she came to be. How a big star (who at first we think the family only imagines being related to) is involved with this unique Southern Family. The twist and turns this book takes keeps you turning page after page waiting for the answers. Fannie Flagg still brings some humorus situations to this book and makes you smile and laugh outloud. I can't wait for her next book.
Rating: 
Summary: Good story, poor editing.
Review: I would have enjoyed this book a lot more if it weren't loaded with anachronisms -- which I found totally irritating. Like -- the characters alluding to Jimmy Carter's mother in 1975 (before he was even considered for the 76 election) or describing small town businesses giving way to Wal-Mart in 1976 (not an issue until the '80s) and so on (there were a lot.) These little slips in editing distracted from a fast and very readable story. Yes, in many ways it was predictable, but it also had an unexpected climax, which was an eye-opener.
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Summary: Great Book
Review: Welcome to the World Baby girl is told looking at the present life of Dena Nordstrom and the previous 40 years. Dena is searching for herself and her roots. Through this search she discovers many amazing things... The book is divided into small segments where the reader has the opportunity to capture the feelings and events of the time. In the segments the reader is also able to gather the small pieces of the big picture! Welcome to the World Baby girl is small town mixed with big city. We are introduced to characters in both worlds and can alomst create visualizations. In particular, the female characters of Dena, Aunt Elnor, Dr. Diggers, and Sookie are especially strong and memorable. This novel is not what I thought it would be. Flagg did an excellent job at maintaining suspense and creating a storyline that I never would have guessed! I truly enjoyed this book. This my first Fannie Flagg novel and I know I'll be back for more!
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Summary: Fannie Flagg once again grabs your attention
Review: I must confess this book did take me a little while to get into, but once I did, this book just grabbed my attention. Dena, Norma, Macky, Gerry and other characters just revolved into fascinating people. The book isn't hard to follow along despite the traveling back and forth over 40 years. And Dena is a character that is slightly unpredictable as you read along with her. Gerry though is my favorite character ~~ I cannot say why because I don't want to spoil it for anyone who hasn't read this book. This book arouses many emotions ~~ loathing, suspense, laughter and joy and sadness. It also promotes friendships, family, loyalty and so on. This is a book to pass onto friends and families. The characters will stay with you long after you turn the last page. It is a fun book. You won't regret buying it.
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Summary: Oh Fannie, how could you!
Review: I hope Fannie Flagg comes out with a new title soon that will wipe away the memory of Welcome to the world, Baby Girl! Fried Green Tomatoes was a joy, this was a trial. I had to read it for my book club, otherwise would have dropped it half-way through. The characters were cardboard thin with none of the three-dimensional subtlety of those in her second or first novels. The jumping around of time, view-point, and locale was confusing and did not really improve the plot line. Waiting for Dena to come around and join the human race just got tiresome. I really didn't care whether she discovered her roots so when her tragic family background finally was revealed I found it hard to empathize with any of them. I really don't like it when an author I have enjoyed comes out with such a disappointing work.
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Summary: Fannie Does It Again
Review: This book would be great even if the name "Fannie Flagg" wasn't attached to it. The characters are strong. The writing is excellent. There were quite a few times the book could've just ended right there. But the story kept on going. There are only a couple of events in the book that you could predict were going to happen but nothing that ruined the story line. And as someone formerly in television, it's good to see that Fannie's described the news business perfectly! This book is a great read for everyone!
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