Can't Wait to Get to Heaven - A Novel (Elmwood Springs)

This book was funny and light-hearted though often poignant. The characters were likable and relatable in that I've known many people over the years who had a little of Elner's niece Norma, or her neighbor Tot Whooten, or friend Luther Griggs, in them. Just a sweet story and fun read that made me smile - a lot!

Ms. Flagg has become my favorite author. The realism and honesty of the thoughts, feelings and expressions of real people astounds me. She gets to the thoughts and ideas of so many different types of people. It awesome to see these thoughts written without malice and just matter of fact reality.
I can't wait, either. ?

I loved this book and all others by Fannie Flagg. She makes the characters seem like people that you would love to know and have for neighbors. If you want to be caught up and taken away for a little while, I recommend this book.

As with all this talented lady's books, I laughed, I cried, I sat back thinking, hmmm, I'll have to think some more about that. And that's what I do...think about it for the next week. Especially poignant for an oldster like me!

Danny's

Fanny's books are delightful! I can identify with the characters, they are just real folks. You laugh, you cry, you're left with a good feeling. Coming from a small Northern Minnesota town of mostly Norwegian decent, I could laugh along with them! All her books are must reads.

Looking for some lighter reading and remembering Fried Green Tomatoes, which I loved, I ordered Can't Wait to Get to Heaven. If you are looking for any depth in the content forget this book. The author uses the book to express many of her personal opinions; political, about hospital experience today, liberal values most of which I would agree with it is not what I was looking for in the book. If you are looking for any depeth in the after life experience you will not find it. The book is a light read and there are some laughs but if also drags at times.

A fun read. The characters are described in the way that you can absolutely see alone know them in your mind. The characters are described such that it appears we have known them at some point in our lives. For those with a strong faith this will be particularly fun book. For those who are on the fence, they may end up scratching their heads.

I originally listened to this as an audio book and when I found the hard copy I read it with just as much enjoyment!!! It is a delightful book and the characters are so fun and memorable. I pass it along to quite a few of my friends.

I read this during the holidays and it puts that "It's a Wonderful Life" feeling in your heart! What a great read this was. Fannie Flagg mixes humor with a touch of heaven. This book is sensational and a great book to curl up with a cup of tea, comforter on a snowy day. Can't say enough good things about it !

What a wonderful treat Fannie Flagg's newest trip to Elmwood Springs is. The characters we first met in WELCOME TO THE WORLD, BABY GIRL and got to know better in STANDING IN THE RAINBOW have aged, had more experiences both good and bad, but still maintain the small-town, folksy charm of Flagg's earlier works. The laugh-out-loud moments are many amidst the tears, the suspense, and the fantasy.

Norma Warren's aunt, Elner Shimfissle, who was a minor character in the other novels set in Elmwood Springs, comes into her own as the main character and the epicenter of an emotional upheaval in the little town.

While picking figs from her tree in the front yard, Elner accidentally disturbs a nest of wasps and is bitten to death. Or is she? Fannie Flagg takes liberal license with the heaven alluded to in the Bible, but it's all in good taste and puts a very personal spin on a place still quite mysterious to the living.

The best thing about this book is the characters, their obvious love for one another, and the close-knit feeling of community that Flagg captures with her razor-sharp wit and endearing charm.

Remember Tot Whooten from the Tell It Like It Is Beauty Shop? And Neighbor Dorothy with her fabulous radio show? Macky Warren, Norma's high school sweetheart and husband, and Dena Nordstrom, the cousin who was a high-powered New York executive? These and others have all returned and catching up on their lives is an experience not to be missed.

Along the way, the reader is actually told the meaning of life and given the formula for leading a happy and rewarding one. That's certainly more than I expected when I bought this book.

Another bonus is the yummy recipes mentioned in the book all appear at the end. They sounded so mouth-watering that I have Neighbor Dorothy's Heavenly Caramel Cake in the oven as I type this.

Great read! I found myself looking forward to the few moments I could carve out of my day to keep reading a few more chapters. The book's message of hope was a welcome reprieve, especially in today's trying times.

What a wonderful treat Fannie Flagg's newest trip to Elmwood Springs is. The characters we first met in WELCOME TO THE WORLD, BABY GIRL and got to know better in STANDING IN THE RAINBOW have aged, had more experiences both good and bad, but still maintain the small-town, folksy charm of Flagg's earlier works. The laugh-out-loud moments are many amidst the tears, the suspense, and the fantasy.

Norma Warren's aunt, Elner Shimfissle, who was a minor character in the other novels set in Elmwood Springs, comes into her own as the main character and the epicenter of an emotional upheaval in the little town.

While picking figs from her tree in the front yard, Elner accidentally disturbs a nest of wasps and is bitten to death. Or is she? Fannie Flagg takes liberal license with the heaven alluded to in the Bible, but it's all in good taste and puts a very personal spin on a place still quite mysterious to the living.

The best thing about this book is the characters, their obvious love for one another, and the close-knit feeling of community that Flagg captures with her razor-sharp wit and endearing charm.

Remember Tot Whooten from the Tell It Like It Is Beauty Shop? And Neighbor Dorothy with her fabulous radio show? Macky Warren, Norma's high school sweetheart and husband, and Dena Nordstrom, the cousin who was a high-powered New York executive? These and others have all returned and catching up on their lives is an experience not to be missed.

Along the way, the reader is actually told the meaning of life and given the formula for leading a happy and rewarding one. That's certainly more than I expected when I bought this book.

Another bonus is the yummy recipes mentioned in the book all appear at the end. They sounded so mouth-watering that I have Neighbor Dorothy's Heavenly Caramel Cake in the oven as I type this.

Great read! I found myself looking forward to the few moments I could carve out of my day to keep reading a few more chapters. The book's message of hope was a welcome reprieve, especially in today's trying times.

The author writes this book from an everyman's point of view . She makes you feel as though you know the people in the book. It is humourous and touching . I didnt want to put it down .! Highly recomemd this book !

My book group selected this book and even though we discussed the humorous aspects, the heavier discussion of out of body experiences and is there a soul?, is there a heaven? were great book club discussions on a more serious note. The book was light reading yet made me think - how are we living our lives? What legacy do I want to leave behind? Lots of fun reading, highly recommended

This novel is a grand incite into family and friends at the time of a death. It is not a sad or mournful story but poignant, funny and realistic concept, well written and most enjoyable. Fannie Flagg writes with an easy flow of words which engage the reader into the characters lives. I have given this book as a present and have had excellent comments from these recipients.

Each day we should strive to make a difference in someone else's life. The benefits may not be immediate but as everyone who had been touched by Elner in this book discovered, even the smallest smile, question, or comment makes each day brighter. Inspire someone else and you will inspire yourself as well!

I really enjoyed reading this book and would highly recommend to all my friends. I have read a lot of books and rarely do they make me laugh out loud and cry laughing. This is a great story and I like all the characters. A great read.

Having southern parents and growing up in a neighborhood in a large city where everyone looked out for everyone else, I enjoy the "folksy" characters Ms. Flagg creates. I hope heaven is something like she portrays.....and that I get there!!

I am currently reading this book aloud to a group of senior citizens who are mostly 80+ and have an appreciation of life and all the fears & quirks that go along with it. We all LOVE this book with its' humorous treatment of human nature. We have read a number of Fannie Flagg books and they are favorites with my group. It is difficult to find a read that is just right for them & I am almost out of Fannie Flagg books. Help Fannie! "Can't Wait to Get To Heaven" has been met by actual applause by our group whose members have been around long enough to know a winner when they see (hear) it!

This is just the best. The characters in this book are the most endearing ever. I cried and laughed all through the book. Read Welcome to the World Baby Girl, and then Standing in the Rainbow and then this one, Can't wait to get to Heaven. Read in this order. You do not want these books to end. Thank You Fannie Flagg!!

Love this book it was so funny and loving .Iloved the characters. The book made me happy and not a lot of books do anymore. I think it would make a great movie hell we could use a happy movie that was not stupid there no feel good movies anymore..