Standing in the Rainbow

A Novel

By: Fannie Flagg

Narrated by: Fannie Flagg

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Good news! Fannie's back in town - and the town is among the leading characters in her new novel. Along with Neighbor Dorothy, the lady with the smile in her voice, whose daily radio broadcasts keep us delightfully informed on all the local news, we also meet Bobby, her 10-year-old son, destined to live a thousand lives, most of them in his imagination; Norma and Macky Warren and their 98-year-old Aunt Elner; the oddly sexy and charismatic Hamm Sparks, who starts off in life as a tractor salesman and ends up selling himself to the whole state and almost the entire country; and the two women who love him as differently as night and day. Then there is Tot Whooten, the beautician whose luck is as bad as her hairdressing skills; Beatrice Woods, the Little Blind Songbird; Cecil Figgs, the Funeral King, and the fabulous Minnie Oatman, lead vocalist of the Oatman Family Gospel Singers.

The time is 1946 until the present. The town is Elmwood Springs, Missouri, right in the middle of the country, in the midst of the mostly joyous transition from war to peace, aiming toward a dizzyingly bright future.

Once again, Fannie Flagg gives us a story of richly human characters, the saving graces of the once-maligned middle classes and small-town life, and the daily contest between laughter and tears. Fannie truly writes from the heartland, and her storytelling is, to quote Time, "utterly irresistible."

©2002 Willina Lane Productions Inc. (P)2002 Random House Inc., Random House Audio, a Division of Random House Inc.

Life is funn, Especially through Fannie's eyes!

What made the experience of listening to Standing in the Rainbow the most enjoyable?

Excellent narration...interesting characters.

Have you listened to any of Fannie Flagg’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Made me laugh outloud!

Any additional comments?

Interesting twists and turns! Very entertaining.

Like Finding a Pot of Gold

Standing in the Rainbow is a wonderful book. Especially for someone who just got her Medicare card, it is wonderfully nostalgic and heart warming. Fanny Flagg's characters are drawn lovingly, frequently showing a realistic mixture of likeable and unlikeable traits. I actually first got this as an audio CD set from the library but enjoyed it so much I want my own copy.

Delightful

Fannie Flagg at her best. You won’t be disappointed. My favorite is Red Bird Christmas

Fannie Flagg-Always a Treat

Fannie's books are always a treat and this one is no exception. Although it is a little more far reaching than others I have read, it is no less fascinating. She captures the life of average America and punches a little humor into it. She also captures the era in which she has staged her story. This book follows the lives of several people. It was a treat to read (hear)!

Loads of fun

Fanny Flagg’s performance is superb and the story is full of warm humor and believable characters. I loved this story and was sad it had to end.

Fannie Flagg is fabulous in her books

I loved this book after reading other books by Fannie Flagg. They are humorous and credible. The characters are well developed and stories about their lives great.
I am eager to order the third book in this group.

Utterly Charming

I didn't want the book to end. I loved all the characters in the book. And also enjoyed listening to Miss Flagg's reading of her book.

I absolutely love the entire Elmwood City series.

Where does Standing in the Rainbow rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Standing in the Rainbow, and the rest of the series, just engulfs you into the story. It's being read by the author just makes it that much better, as she reads it as she has meant it to be heard. Very entertaining following the lives of her quirky characters and hometown feel. Listening to this author is listening to a true storyteller.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Standing in the Rainbow?

Anna Lee's Prom night finale. She finds out, again, what having a little brother means!
And...anything "Aunt Elner" and "Norma"!

Which scene was your favorite?

I love all the radio show days. How Dorothy speaks about all of the goings on each day.
In particular when Mrs. Oatman attacks Mother Smith's organ, with her gusto!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When Doc get the prescription in the pharmacy for his Dorothy. I will not write any more so you can hear it in the story, as it is read.

Any additional comments?

You will certainly be looking forward to listening the the rest of the Elmwood City books to hear more about the characters she has introduced you to in Welcome to the World, Baby Girl!
*My only disappointment is that these stories are abridged, but being read by the author makes up for it.

Can I give this six stars?

Pure joy. What a delight. It spans man generations. I can’t wait to read the he next one.

Great

Love Fannie Flagg, all of her stories.
The best storyteller I've found. Always easy to follow & no unnecessary nonsense so many authors feel the need to use.