Thoughts From the Dirty City

Subhead – my attempt at a book review – I have never been any good at these.

**unrelated side note**
I like to read, and would like to read more often than I currently do. Problem is I tend to forget books immediately after finishing them (unless I was madly in love with said book – that almost never happens). So, I’m going to start occasionally reviewing the books I read and liked. Don’t worry, I’ll try to keep it quick and to the point.

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I picked up this book because it has been floating around my dad’s book stacks for forever. Well, mainly for that reason. But also because I saw the movie “Fried Green Tomatoes” and was reminded that I am a total girl when I cried like a baby. If you hated that movie you are a heartless monster. Right, anyway, about this book….

Title: Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man (also published under the title Coming Attractions)

Author: Fanny Flagg

I’m not entirely sure where the Miracle Man comes into play in this story as there are many men, but very few miracles. Well, one, but the man involved in that sub plot had little to do with the overall story, and surely wasn’t deserving of a title role. In any case, when I say there were a lot of men, there are, but not in that sense (buncha pervs, the lot of you). While the narrator is a girl, the book is awesomely romantically drama free. There are almost no moments of heartbreak over cheating men, or bad choices in love. Okay, there is one. But it’s a coming of age book in many ways, and that is kind of a right of passage.

I take that back. The mother/father relationship is a constant thorn in my side in this book. It’s there, and romantically tragic and constant. But it seems more a motivator for moving the story along than attempting to tug at the heartstrings.  I think a lot of that comes from the fact that the narrator is so naive to what is happening. So yeah…romantic drama…there but not really a driving force in the book.

Right, that is what it wasn’t. See, told ya. I have no idea how to review a book.

The story of Daisy Fay is told through her diary beginning just after her 11^th birthday and ending just after graduation. It’s the story of surviving in a broken home, surrounded by a lot of drama, very little of it the main characters.

It’s the story of imperfect people, living an imperfect life in a not so perfect world with not so perfect circumstances. But despite all that, the stories namesake is genuinely upbeat and optimistic.

What is memorable about this book:
There are real tragedies in this story, but overall the book is generally uplifting. Not so much surviving and finding a way to carry on as much as it is about just moving forward. Always seeing the humor in the situation and always willing to move on to what is just out of sight. There is very little dwelling on the negative in this book.

Another side note (I like sides)
I’ve read one other of Flagg’s books (don’t remember which one – argh) and remembered one thing that seems to be a common thread in much of her writing. The deep south during the 50’s (about) crop up a lot in her writing. So much so that it almost becomes a separate character. Personally, I find it a bit tedious and unnecessary. But maybe that is because I’m a yank and just don’t understand. Either way – it’s fully present in this tale as well.

I don’t like rating books, or awarding stars. Overall, I enjoyed the book. It wasn’t the greatest book in the world, but I wouldn’t warn people against it or anything.

On a somewhat completely unrelated note: every time I bring up the movie Fried Green Tomatoes, or Fannie Flagg for that matter, I am stricken with the notion that I need to watch the movie Beaches again. I have no idea why this happens….I blame my mother.

Very much looking forward to the McQueen show!!