Standing in the Rainbow

A Novel

By: Fannie Flagg

Narrated by: Kate Reading

Length: 15 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's Summary

Good news! Fannie’s back in town - and the town is among the leading characters in this 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 Fannie Flagg (P)2002 Books on Tape, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"Fannie Flagg writes for the ear and is an accomplished raconteur." (People)

An old favorite

I am so glad to have found this UNABRIDGED. The abridged version read by the author only tells the story of Betty Raye and Hamm, and leaves out the bulk of the story. This is the book in its entirety, and these characters are some of my favorites. Only complaint: this is a recording of a set of CDs, and there is an announcer every so often saying that the book will continue on another disk.

I preferred the dentist

I bought this audiobook to listen to during a rather lengthy dental procedure. after several chapters, I had to stop listening & preferred hearing the drill, suction, grinding, of the dentist office.

The book felt like a great First Act. I was introduced to many exciting characters and backgrounds. They were quirky and fascinating. I waited for the conflict, rising action, and resolution.... but it never came. There wasn't anything to carry the story, unlike Fried Green Tomatoes with its characters AND plot.

I couldn't finish this book. Then after a few days I felt guilty, because MAYBE I was missing a good part. I forced myself to complete the audiobook - thank heavens the narration was good - but most of it I don't recall since it literally put me to sleep more than once.

A waste of time, I should have opted for nitrous oxide.

good read

nice story, just drove around to listen to more. I laughed, cried and and remembered the old days

NOT read by the author as the picture shows

This story wasn't as good as Cant Wait to Get to Heaven, but i listened to that one read by Fannie Flagg herself. I bought this because it said "Read by the author". It was not. the narrator did a fine job, but Fannie Flagg does an amazing job on her own books. I wish I could get a credit back. :(

Standing in the rainbow

Enjoyed listening to this book, felt like I knew these people. Made me laugh , also get weepy. Love Fannie Flagg.

Just keep listening

If you can get through the first few chapters you will be surprised that there is a story. This version is a book on tape version with the guy asking you to switch disks. If that does not bother you and you can give it a few chapters you may find a heart welmoing hometown story inside.

Nostalgic

Loved it! Takes you back, nostalgic. Women empowerment sub story! I would read it again. 😄

Worth listening to!

It took me a bit to get “into” the story, but once I did it was difficult to stop.

This is not A story, but several within yet they all tied together and true to the author’s form most if all loose ends were tied up.

I always try to picture someone I know as the characters in a book and did I ever in this one, mainly Neighbor Dorothy, and in a great way.

Ok, so literary license, altering history to fit the book, was in full force here but it’s fiction so go with the flow. Ok???

I’m an older guy, near 69 years old. At times I would literally laugh out loud and more than once I had tears in my eyes.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Thank you Fannie! I’m looking forward to listening to more. This was on par with Fried Green Tomatoes and the Wonder Boy of Whistle Stop.

I laughed and Cried a bit.

Flagg creates creates endearing amd relatable characters that make you wsmt to visit the tiny town of elmwood springs.

narrative is slow to grow on you

once you get use to the narrative. the story becomes heartwarming. the fascinating thing about the story line is how it reflects the present.
great writing ! Thank you