Week 6 Annotation: Gentle Reads Category

Author: Fannie Flagg

Title: Can't Wait to Get to Heaven

Genre: Gentle Reads/Humor

Publication Date: 2006

Number of Pages: 512 (large print version)

Geographical Setting: Elmwood Springs, Missouri

Time Period: Mid-19th Century Americana

Series : Yes. Three in the series.

Plot Summary: Using her southern style of writing and interpretation, Flagg follows an elderly woman named Elner Shimfissle through her daily activities with the people of Elmwood Springs. "Her main concern is that the end of the world might come before she can collect her social security." (Good Reads) You get to know the down to earth folk in Elner's life and discover that Heaven is already here.

Subject Headings: Dying, Heaven, Old Age, Small town Americana

Appeal:Satisfaction of performing domestic skills, inspirational stories, women

3 terms that best describe this book: Heaven, life, funny

My Summary: I knew Fannie Flag as an actress. She had appeared on Match Game years ago in the 70's. I have seen her books on the shelves for years, but never taken the time to read one. Based upon the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, which Flagg won an Oscar for (screenwriting) I decided to read one of her other books. In all of the reviews I came across for her books, this one was rated as an all-time favorite and classic. It did not disappoint. I found myself laughing out loud at the characters of Elmood Srpings, Misssouri.

This is an inspirational Gentle Read, full of humor and wit. Flagg makes you feel like these people are your family and next-door neighbors. Heaven is what you make of it, and some times even the miraculous can be found in every day life, circumstances and people.

I loved the ending Epilogue, wherein the main character Elner Jane Shimfissle (the name in and of itself is FUNNY!) finally goes to heaven, which ends up being an elevator ride. She steps off the elevator to see, along with all of her family and friends who have gone before, Ginger Rogers and Thomas Edison (how random!). But first she asks her friend who greets her at the elevator, "This is the real thing, isn't it? It's not another short visit, is it?"

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