Seven of us enjoyed a lovely sunny (though for some a little chilly) evening on the terrace at Felicity's house, sipping (Mary's birthday) Prosecco and discussing life in a small town just a short train ride from Birmingham, Alabama. I am sure there is very little to compare between the lush green valley we were overlooking to Whistle Stop (which I imagine to be fairly bare, dusty and flat.) That said, this book makes the reader feel they are sat, hearing and listening to the stories that are so well told throughout.
Yet again we managed to select a book that we all enjoyed. Though one of our members put the complexity of the relationships, and the author's use of timeline, into context by saying she was 'glad there was no exam on it!'
The stories are beautifully narrated in this wonderful book. Most of us couldn't put it down, but when you had to do so the chapters were so short it was simple to pick back up again.
The story is told through the relationship that builds between an elderly lady in a nursing home and a disaffected housewife who visits (and befriends) her in the 1980's. One tells and the other and listens to stories of life growing up in Whistle Stop, from the 1920's onward. The themes are diverse: a relationship between 2 women, injury, death and murder, White vs. African American, ageing as a woman and, of course, food! Throughout the tone changes, one minute happy, the next sad!
For the African American people the prejudice and inhumanity of the white people was (is?) a daily reality. This book does, however, illustrate that decent people at all levels of society recognise that this is not right and that kindness and humanity also exists.
Our favourite character was, unanimously, Idgie (and her beautiful family) who exude warmth and are truly respected within the community. The family hold no prejudice and accept people for what, and who, and how they are. So, when Ruth moves in with Idgie, their relationship, whilst never overtly defined, is understood and never challenged.
We also love the character of the book itself. It has little touches that make it special: news bulletins punctuate and separate the stories perfectly and those by Dot Weems are so clever - she blends local small town news with national news and the significance of each piece is left unmeasured. There are also recipes at the end for the reader to try (and enjoy)!
Would we recommend this book? YES, for our group it was an excellent choice, a great book. We are looking forward to seeing the film (or perhaps one day even a trip to Irondale, Alabama? on which Whistle Stop is based and where the annual Whistle Stop festival can be found!)
Our next book is Rule Britannia by Daphne Du Maurier. We will meet to discuss this book on THURSDAY 24th September at 8pm in The Hundred.
