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Can't Wait to Get to Heaven (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 7,776 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Combining southern warmth with unabashed emotion and side-splitting hilarity, Fannie Flagg takes readers back to Elmwood Springs, Missouri, where the most unlikely and surprising experiences of a high-spirited octogenarian inspire a town to ponder the age-old question: Why are we here?
Life is the strangest thing. One minute, Mrs. Elner Shimfissle is up in her tree, picking figs, and the next thing she knows, she is off on an adventure she never dreamed of, running into people she never in a million years expected to meet. Meanwhile, back home, Elner’s nervous, high-strung niece Norma faints and winds up in bed with a cold rag on her head; Elner’s neighbor Verbena rushes immediately to the Bible; her truck driver friend, Luther Griggs, runs his eighteen-wheeler into a ditch–and the entire town is thrown for a loop and left wondering, “What is life all about, anyway?” Except for Tot Whooten, who owns Tot’s Tell It Like It Is Beauty Shop. Her main concern is that the end of the world might come before she can collect her social security.
In this comedy-mystery, those near and dear to Elner discover something wonderful: Heaven is actually right here, right now, with people you love, neighbors you help, friendships you keep. Can’t Wait to Get to Heaven is proof once more that Fannie Flagg “was put on this earth to write” (Southern Living), spinning tales as sweet and refreshing as iced tea on a summer day, with a little extra kick thrown in.
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"Not one I'd usually choose for myself...another holiday book that my mum bought and gave to me first! But I was hooked and finished it over a long Sunday afternoon. Had the potential to be twee, but was funny and endearing. Elner had a great effect on many peoples lives and I found the whole story uplifting, particularly after a grotty week."
— Fluffychick (5 out of 5 stars)
Can't Wait to Get to Heaven Listener Reviews
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" Not my favorite Fannie Flagg book. It's a cute story about a cute old lady, but like all cute old ladies, they get kinda old after about 5 chapters.... "
— April, 2/13/2014 -
" A little thin in it's story, but an easy read when you don't want to think too much. Liked the characters. They were pleasant and nice. The theme of a visit to heaven was thought provoking. Just a sweet read. "
— Sayres2974, 2/8/2014 -
" This was my first ever Fannie Flagg novel. I've read short stories and columns by her, but never a novel . . . and I fell in love. Her development of characters and their stories has such a "southern" flare. "
— Becky, 1/18/2014 -
" What a 'feel good' read. I usually read thrillers, horror and even zombie lit, but I just felt like trying this out for a change and it was just wonderful; fun, engaging, insightful and heart warming. Now I can go back to my intense reading refreshed! "
— Tara, 1/17/2014 -
" cute, makes you laugh "
— Bunny, 1/11/2014 -
" Loved listening to this book. Makes me wish there was an Elner in my neighborhood or family. "
— Andrea, 12/29/2013 -
" Quirky characters, hilarious situations, and a nice light read. "
— Helene, 12/24/2013 -
" Entertaining yet thought-provoking book about how our attitude to life colours everything we do and how we perceive life.Very funny in places, but poignantly so. "
— Adri, 12/21/2013 -
" Gentle read. Humorous and touching. Author really captures the details of small town life. Made me wonder what life beyond this one is really like. It was a good listen-to. "
— Mary, 12/21/2013 -
" What a fun third installment to Fannie Flagg's Mississippi-based novels. Amazon.com calls Ms. Flagg a "born storyteller," and the Web site sure isn't lying. From the first page, she pulls the reader in for yet another very enjoyable ride with a cast of endearing, memorable characters. "
— Ykoulouthros, 12/11/2013 -
" Charming, sweet story. "
— Denise, 12/5/2013 -
" Great book, funny charming, heartwarming "
— June, 11/3/2013 -
" couldn't get into this one... "
— Mindy, 6/10/2013 -
" I listened to this while running. It made me laugh out loud. It made me cry. I must have looked like a crazy person. "
— Kelly, 2/15/2013 -
" I like Fanny Flagg. She's great at developing her characters and they are characters too. It's just a fun book. Light hearted and funny at times. "
— Dale, 1/2/2013 -
" This book cracked me up!! "
— Lisa, 8/11/2012 -
" This is another good one by Fannie Flagg. Her books are so light & fun to read. It was quick, funny & made you feel good! "
— Karasue, 7/19/2012 -
" I started this thinking it would be a nice no-brainer, but it was just too eye-rollingly painful. I trudged through the first couple chapters and gave it up as too benign, too 'ladies in lavender', too insipid and 'you go girl'. Maybe in a couple decades I'll be old enough to like it. "
— Jaime, 2/25/2012 -
" Fannie Flagg perfectly captures southern white Christian rural life in this tale of 80-some-year-old (her age is uncertain since her older sister buried the family bible, the only record of birth dates) Elner Shimfissle's fatal encounter with gravity and the fallout that ensues. "
— Kim, 1/20/2012 -
" Disappointing. I am a fan of Fannie Flagg's writing, but I found this book to be simple and contrived. "
— Karla, 11/22/2011 -
" A little too idealized christian white bread for my taste but it was a heartwarming story and a light read. "
— Cobbie, 10/16/2011 -
" What a wonderful surprise this book was for me! I laughed outloud and cried, also.Wonderful book. "
— Connie, 6/9/2011 -
" I have read all of the books in this series. I have a hard time putting down a Fannie Flagg book once I've picked it up. "
— Heather, 6/6/2011 -
" Fun, fast, good read. The small town characters pull you right in to their world and you learn to love everyone of them and their many quirks. Just makes you feel good to read a book like this. I'll be reading some more by this author. "
— Amy, 5/11/2011 -
" Indelible characters, again, and some chuckle-out-loud moments. I was thinking that it was pretty good, but not as good as the last Flagg I read, and then she began to weave and tuck in all the loose ends. Good fun. The theology's a little off, but I was willing to go along for the ride. :-) "
— Margo, 5/10/2011 -
" This is a fun romp through small-town America. When Elner falls out of her fig tree and everyone thinks she has died, Elner learns about the legacy she will leave behind. There are several story lines and many fun characters that all come together to create a great read. "
— Marissa, 5/8/2011 -
" This book was SO entertaining. The characters were great and I had many laugh out loud moments. The plot was very unpredictable. I was shocked at the turn of events and it just made me laugh even harder! Really, I debated between 4 and 5 stars for this book, I enjoyed it that much. "
— Nancy, 5/4/2011 -
" What's not to like in this book. I am thankful to Fannie Flagg for creating the world and characters of this novel, I'll visit again and again. "
— Kathleen, 5/2/2011 -
" Aunt Elner has a near death experience. This book is the latest news from Elmwood Springs, MO "
— Debra, 4/30/2011 -
" Good at first, then slow for awhile. But mainly a nice Fannie Flagg book. She's almost always fun to read. "
— Maggie, 4/27/2011 -
" buku ini cukup lucu, santai dan mengibur... cerita tentang mati surinya si Elner.. dan bagaimana orang disekelilingnya menghadapi hidup tanpa nenek Elner yang dicintai banyak orang. quite inspires me. "
— Nimazayu, 4/21/2011 -
" This book had a lot of laughs and a little crying. "
— Lynn, 4/17/2011 -
" Fannie Flagg, I love your writing! "
— Kim, 4/15/2011 -
" probably one of my all time favorite books. The characters are rich and just seems like you are part of the town and it's characters. I wish my town was as kind and crazy!!! "
— Sciomom, 4/12/2011 -
" Fannie Flagg perfectly captures southern white Christian rural life in this tale of 80-some-year-old (her age is uncertain since her older sister buried the family bible, the only record of birth dates) Elner Shimfissle's fatal encounter with gravity and the fallout that ensues. "
— Kim, 4/9/2011 -
" Very cute, light hearted book with a wonderful message about being human. Great summer reading or vacation book. "
— Sally, 4/7/2011 -
" A fun, feel good, uplifting book. About the real people of America working and living life with their neighbors and families. "
— Susan, 4/7/2011
About Fannie Flagg
Fannie Flagg began writing and producing television specials at age nineteen and went on to distinguish herself as an actress and writer in television, films, and the theater. She is the author of the New York Times bestsellers Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe (which was produced by Universal Pictures as Fried Green Tomatoes), Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!, Standing in the Rainbow, and A Redbird Christmas. Her script for Fried Green Tomatoes was nominated for both the Academy and Writers Guild of America awards and won the highly regarded Scripters Award. She lives in California and in Alabama.