Curious What was Left Out of the Movie

Would you listen to Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe again? Why?

I did, twice!

What did you like best about this story?

Endearing characters, everyone is so sweet.

What does Lorna Raver bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

If you've seen the movie first you will hear the voice of Jessica Tandy and Kathy Bates probably because the narration is so good. I don't know if this audiobook was produced after the movie but the best moments sound like the movie which is high praise. The many scenes and parts left out of the film are also narrated with the perfect tone.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Too many to count.

Any additional comments?

If you've seen the movie and liked it you will love the book. It's wonderful, sweet and entertaining and there is MORE of it. You can fall in love with "Idgy" Threadgood, Ninny Threadgood, and Evelyn all over again. You'll also finally understand why the Evelyn character yells "Towanda!" several times in the film.

53 people found this helpful

Absolute favorite story!

I wish I could visit Whistle Stop!!!! Meet the whole gang, especially Idgy, Sipsie and Big George!

12 people found this helpful

Better as audiobook

Any additional comments?

I read this book many years ago and recently saw the movie again on TV, which prompted me to look for it as an Audible title. Of course the story in the book is SO much richer than the movie - more enjoyable as an audiobook because of the wonderful reading by Lorna Raver - a very authentic old Southern lady's voice. I felt like Evelyn Couch sitting with Ninny, hearing her tell of Ruth and Idgie. This was a real treat, but I will caution readers not familiar with the story that there is racial content relevant to the early part of the 20th century that may be hard for some to take. If you can handle the social issues, this is a worthy read.

66 people found this helpful

Better than the movie

This book is better than the movie and that's saying something since the movie was wonderful. Well worth a credit spent.

17 people found this helpful

Fried Green Tomatoes

Absolutely wonderful! I am a huge fan of the movie, but this book is much more delightful. It is hilarious! I laugh and laugh and laugh. The narrator, Lorna Raver, reminds me of Jessica Tandy from the movie. I haven't enjoyed a book this much in ages. I can recommend this book to anyone looking for a great sense of peace and lots of humor!

27 people found this helpful

A story to kindle one's heart.

Would you consider the audio edition of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe to be better than the print version?

Both versions of the book are great!

What about Lorna Raver’s performance did you like?

I wish I could thank Lorna Raver personally for her incredible performance in this book. She made me smile, and she made me cry too -- many times! -- during the whole book.

12 people found this helpful

Yes - better than the movie, but won’t ruin the movie for you, either

I grew up watching FGT; most often out at my cabin with my family. I loved the story as much for it’s place in my childhood memories as for the funny and engrossing narrative, itself, so despite the enthusiastic reviews on Audible, I was still a little hesitant about listening to the book; I’m glad I took the chance.

I listened to this book with my girlfriend, who is French, and had never seen the film. So while I was imagining the familiar faces and measuring the narrator up against the perfectly chosen cast, she was imagining a world of her own. We ended up watching the film about half way through the book, because we were enjoying it so much. She loved the movie and neither of us felt that the film suffered from knowing the book, nor vice versa.

Although the movie changed a number of things in the story, and completely omits entire sections of the story-telling that simply can’t be translated to film, it captures the feeling of the novel, which I would summarize as a sort of humorous nostalgia. & it’s really just a treat to discover the extended story in the book.

I think it took me a little while to get used to the narrator: even a good narrator has her work cut out for her when running up against the full cast of a feature film (!), but having just finished the book, curled up together on a Saturday morning, I have nothing but positive things to say about Lorna Raver: she brought great energy to the characters, had a great pace and, aside from a few weeping scenes which were not very pleasant to listen to, I only have good things to say about her handling of the story.

What I most appreciated about this book was that it was more than a well written, good story, it was also genuinely funny, without being over-the-top. We listened to it in short chunks: 15-30mins here and there, during a break in the day or while we cleaned the kitchen, and every time we put it on, we’d laugh out loud. It has really made me want to find more good stories that can make me laugh or smile.

Very much recommended, whether on sale or not. It’s one of those extra-special treasures: a story that you’ll be able to listen to over and over again.

If you found this review helpful, please let me know by clicking the button. Happy listening!

11 people found this helpful

More Than The Movie

Yes, this sticks to the movie but there is so much more. The newspaper clippings are like peeking in the window when Hollywood didn't know you were looking. I had never heard this narrator before but she was just perfect, although at times I thought I heard Miss Tandy shinning through. Completely Enjoyable trip to the Whistle Stop Cafe!

11 people found this helpful

Not what you think

Everyone had seen the movie, but few have read the book. The book is quite different in many ways; the relationship between Ruth and Idge is not covered up in the book. It's a love story of about two lesbians in the early 20th century, which the movie glosses over. This is a true love story between two people in a different age. A great read,

3 people found this helpful

Just like the movie

I loved this book and I loved the movie too. The book is almost as good as The Help or The Kitchen House. I look forward to finding more novels like this.

7 people found this helpful