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Can't Wait to Get to Heaven  By  cover art

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven

By: Fannie Flagg
Narrated by: Cassandra Campbell
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Publisher's summary

Combining southern warmth with unabashed emotion and side-splitting hilarity, Fannie Flagg takes listeners 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 18-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.

©2006 Fannie Flagg (P)2006 Books on Tape

What listeners say about Can't Wait to Get to Heaven

Average customer ratings
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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I love Fannie Flagg

If you are a Fannie Flagg fan you will love this
story. You should really listen to Redbird Christmas and Standing in the Rainbow first as this one ends one of her characters. The people are so elegantly described you feel as if you know them and you become a part of this little town of quirky folks.

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9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

better if you're a fannie fan

When I bought this book, I didn't realize that the characters and town were from previous books. I think it makes a big difference in getting into the story. I almost shelved this one after 4 hours because it seemed to be going nowhere. I did persevere and thought it was an enjoyable book, although not great.
The first half of the book is pretty much character study. It felt like I was suppose to like these people and the town (which at first I didn't feel much affinity for either). It takes quite awhile for the story to take-off and as Fannie Flagg always does, she ties-up all the loose ends in the last chapter.
It's cute and if you're a Fannie fan, you're sure to love it. However, if you're not a Fannie fan, I would perhaps start with the other books in the series first or better yet, just listen to Fried Green Tomatoes or A Redbird Christmas.
If you're a fan of Southern fiction and looking for something new, Between Georgia by Josalyn Jackson is a real good one!

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8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Adorable

This was a fantastic book to listen too! The narrators voice was so pleasant and the plot was fantastic as usual(much like all of Fannie Flagg's books). The reader may feel more "in the loop" if they are able to read the book that precedes this one (Standing in the Rainbow) but is not necessary to enjoy this delightful book.

You will not be disappointed if you choose to purchase this audiobook. This was one of those books that I did not want to end and I wanted to keep going about the characters lives! I would definitely recommend this title for a moving and yet lighthearted book! Just fantastic!

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Whimisical but down-to-earth

First, I think the narrator was great! After all the story is set in Missouri, not the South. Even so Campbell catches both the rhythm of Flagg's prose and essence of the characters speech.

The story is not as sugar-coated as it might seem on the surface though it certainly lacks the bite of "Fried Green Tomatos" The character of Eliner is someone you wish you knew.

I am not really a fan of mythical small towns but I enjoy Elmwood Springs because although Flagg moved her story north the town is southern through and through. This is glimpsed not only in the dialogue, but in the food and other aspects of daily life.

I have lived near Flagg's hometown of Birmingham, Alabama for nearly 30 years and I enjoy the local tidbits that constantly crop up. My favorite in this book is Carraway Hospital. Also, as ER physician, I think she captures some of the contemporary stresses of medicine. These touches raise the book above a mere "It's a Wonderful Life" fairytale.

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6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars

Not her best work

I was dissappointed in this book. It was kind of like eaves dropping on a boring conversation. I stopped listening midway through.

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5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Worth continuing

I almost gave up on this book for the same reasons as the others who gave it low ratings. Tired of the boring old lady dialogue, I fast forwarded 3 minutes and then went "what?" I backed up and realized the back story was over. It was interesting from that point on. Still a feel good book but that's what I was in the mood to hear. It is not instant gratification. It's a slow and fulfilling story.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely delightful!

The miles of the road trip flew by.... just a wonderful "feel good" book.

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4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Can't Wait to Get to Heaven

Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! Fannie Flagg has done it again. Her idea of heaven in "Can't Wait to Get to Heaven" suits me to a "T."

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3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

not my favorite FF work. The narration was awful

Not my favorite Fannin Flagg work, narration was truly awful and very hard to listen to. I am a compulsive finisher so I can't leave a book undone, but my suggestion is don't start this one. Still love Fannie though...read fried green tomatoes...it's a classic.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Funny and light

I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted read. It was easy to listen to and made me smile. Not a whole lot to sink your teeth into but the narration was excellent and the characters classic in typical Fannie Flagg style. This is a 'feel good' book - and a good one at that!

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2 people found this helpful