Product Description

The time: 1946-2000. The Place: Elmwood Springs, Missouri. Right in the middle of everywhere, which could be anywhere. World War II has ended and the joyous transitions to peace are being - mostly - embraced. Bobby Smith, ten, is the effervescent son of the well-known radio hostess Neighbour Dorothy, who broadcasts every day from her living room, via the tower in her backyard, to an eager, and at times lonely, audience. And meet the Oatman Family Southern Gospel Singers at a pharmaceutical convention in Memphis, where they blow the place away; Hamm Sparks, a super-salesman everyone likes and trusts, who soon sells all of Missouri; and the phenomena known as the Sunset Club, Dinner on the Ground and the Funeral King.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #583899 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-07
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 400 pages

Review
In this companion novel to Welcome To The World, Baby Girl, Fannie Flagg revisits the residents of Elmwood Springs, tracing their lives and loves from 1948 to 2000. Elmwood Springs is a small town in Southern Missouri where everybody knows everybody else. As the story begins, the Second World War has ended and the mood is cheerful. Neighbour Dorothy continues to broadcast her successful radio programme from her own living room and the rest of the state is able to listen in on the antics of her wayward children. One day the Oatman Family Southern Gospel Singers arrive in town, and before they're gone again, they've left one member in town and taken a resident with them. Betty Rae Oatman is the member who stays to enjoy the simple life of a small town, but who soon finds herself in the biggest house of them all. Fannie Flagg's books are perfect feelgood reading and she certainly delivers once again, combining comedy, romance and excellent storylines to produce yet another rich and poignant tapestry of small-town America. (Kirkus UK)

Synopsis
The time: 1946-2000. The Place: Elmwood Springs, Missouri. Right in the middle of everywhere, which could be anywhere. World War II has ended and the joyous transitions to peace are being - mostly - embraced. Bobby Smith, ten, is the effervescent son of the well-known radio hostess Neighbour Dorothy, who broadcasts every day from her living room, via the tower in her backyard, to an eager, and at times lonely, audience. And meet the Oatman Family Southern Gospel Singers at a pharmaceutical convention in Memphis, where they blow the place away; Hamm Sparks, a super-salesman everyone likes and trusts, who soon sells all of Missouri; and the phenomena known as the Sunset Club, Dinner on the Ground and the Funeral King.

About the Author
Fannie Flagg, TV, Film, and stage actress, writer, producer and performer is above all a bestselling author, whose books appeal to readers who love recognizable human characters, the saving graces of the much-maligned middle class and small-town life, and the daily contest between laughter and tears. She lives in California and Alabama.

Customer Reviews

American As Apple Pie, As Familiar As Your Own Family
I've read most of Ms. Flagg's books, and I can say I enjoyed this one most of all. The characters are lovable and real; when I read about this character or that, I can see my own family member's faces. The story manages to cover so many decades and yet there's no feeling of being rushed through any of them. There were parts in which I laughed out loud, and moments when I sat with tears running down my face. It is as real as life gets, and it really does make you long for those simple, sweet days when America was the best place on earth to be - and for good reason. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know what small town life in the States is all about. Bravo, Fannie Flagg!

A Brilliant Lovely Read
I love reading Fannie's novels. They are so warm and evocative, and perfect for curling up with in a comfy armchair to while away an afternoon.

'Standing In The Rainbow' takes us to Neighbour Dorothy's town, (she also appears in 'Welcome to the World, Baby Girl'), and I love the continuity and reading all about her family. Bobby made me laugh out loud, and Anna Lee and Hamm and Betty Ray. The characters are colourful and totally beleiveable.

I find that I can read her novels over and over, and are excellent to raise one's spirits!

Thumbs up and a big gold star!!

Standing in the Rainbow
If you have read 'Welcome to the World Baby Girl!' then you will recognise some of the characters in this book, mainly Neighbour Dorothy. If you like Flagg's work then you will find this novel another treat. She is still doing what she seems to do best: creating a world of eccentric snd funny characters. The novel covers a 7 decade timescale and there are insights into quite a few members of the Elmwood Springs community. Underneath the humour and quirky characters Flagg makes a social comment on American life.