Go Ask Fannie; Elisabeth Hyde
G.P. Putnam -2018
Murray Blaire is 81 and has been a widower for over 30 years. A tragic car accident took the life of his wife Lillian as well as their son Daniel who was 15 at the time.
At Murray's request, over the course of a weekend, his grown children gather at their father's rural New Hampshire farm home. The three very different siblings - Ruth, controlling, Lizzie, a free spirit with a much older boyfriend and, George, the overly sentimental son. Each sibling has their own issues which are revealed as the weekend progresses.
The "Fannie" at the center of the story is a reference to an old-time cookbook called, The Fannie Farmer Cookbook", a beloved item, complete with the cryptic margin jottings by the late mother. The cookbook, like Lillian, has met with an unfortunate ending.
Although this story wasn't perfect, it was engaging. I like stories about dysfunctional families and this one had well-crafted characters and plenty of drama to hold my interest.
Rating - 4/5 stars
I'm drawn to books about widows and widowers. Throw in a missing cookbook and I'm sold! I'm all for an engaging read like this one. Adding it to my list, Diane. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLOL, glad this combination of plot lines has your interest.
DeleteI like the cover. It's very cheerful, even if the story isn't. Ha!
ReplyDeleteIt's a nice read overall Kay.
DeleteIt sounds interesting. I will echo... my favorite stories are about dysfunctional families. Being a southern gal, I especially love them when they are set in the south. No one does dysfunction like a southern.
ReplyDeleteMe too, dysfunctional childhoods make for great reading. They always make me feel better about my childhood LOL
DeleteA Fannie character sounds pretty good!
ReplyDeleteWho wouldn't like a good Fannie story?? LOL
DeleteI like stories about dysfunction families too!!
ReplyDeleteI think many of us love that storyline.
DeleteThis seems to have a lot of potential, but maybe it falls short. Too bad, I am always up for a dysfunctional family story. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt seems so many of us like a good dysfunctional family story! LOL What does that say about us?
DeleteDiane, this sounds like an absorbing read. Thank you for your honest review!
ReplyDeleteI've been away from blogging for a few days, but am back now.
Glad to see you back, your trip looked wonderful!!
DeleteThis sounds like one for my list.. thanks.
ReplyDeleteGlad this seems to appeal to you JoAnn.
DeleteOh you hooked me with the cookbook reference. That alone would have me wanting to read it. Though not perfect it does sound like a good read and one I'd really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I think my mom or aunt may have had one of those cookbooks. I know I ate Fannie Farmer chocolates as a child :)
DeleteI thought the cover was so cheerful too!
ReplyDeleteI still have my crumbling, yellowed paperback edition of The Fannie Farmer cookbook. I learned to cook from it as a young woman. I bought a recent edition and it is good too!
ReplyDeleteI think my mom had one too Judy.
DeleteHmm nice review. I remember the Cookbook too. Sounds like an interesting family.
ReplyDeleteNice read!
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