Rating: 
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
Rating: 
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.
Rating:
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!
Rating:
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.
Rating: 
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.
Rating:
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!
Rating:
Summary: extremely disappointing
Review: What a let-down after reading "Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe." Is this the same author? I forced myself to keep reading the predictable plot, "TV-movie" characters, and the oh-so-obvious pop-psychological analysis of the main character. Halfway through, I couldn't stand it anymore. I flipped to the last page, found out (like it wasn't obvious) that Dena gets together with the psychiatrist; the "bad guy" dies, and everyone is happy. No need to tortue myself further. "Fried Green Tomatoes" dealt with such strong female characters, social issues, and rich, funny characters. What happened?
Rating:
Summary: An excellent book!
Review: You simply can't go wrong with a Fannie Flagg book. She has a way with words and can spin a story as well as anyone. However, with this novel she not only demonstrates her fabulous wit but also her ability to create dramatic characters and allow us a window into their lives. I read this (rather large) book in only two sittings. It kept me spellbound and you won't be disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Like a Bad TV Movie
Review: This book is just BAD. I felt like I was reading the draft of a college student's first novel -- sophomoric, with glib "meaningful" moments. Of course, the psychiatrist falls in love with the pretty blonde, and of course she needs to find out the reasons for her neuroses in order to love him back. And oh how happy and close the cute country folks are! None of the boredom and dysfunctions common to some small towns. All of these country folks are as proud and chummy as they can be -- just move to a small town and eliminate all your problems. This book is about as shallow and hokey as a novel can be!
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