Christmas Confection
Christmas is around the corner and just in case you don’t get
enough of it in advertisements and store decorations, I thought’ I’d review a
book or two to get you more in the mood for the holidays.
A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg is a short, feel-good novel
that’s as sweet as a candy cane. In this story we meet Oswald T. Campbell, a man
who has just been given a year or two to live. As per his doctor’s advice,
Oswald leaves cold and dreary Chicago and moves to Lost River, Alabama where
the sun is shining even on a winter's day. There he encounters the nicest set
of people you’re likely to meet. The
strangers of this small community open their arms and hearts with a great big
Southern hug. In this peaceful and friendly setting Oswald tries to recover his health while making new friends
like the neighborly widow Mrs. Celverdon; her colorful-haired sister Mildred; Claude, the master
fisherman and mailman who delivers letters by boat; Roy, the grocery store owner; and Jack, his pet redbird who lives at the store. Finally, there’s little
Patsy, the girl who limps into their world and stirs it up a bit. After reading
this book, the next time you see a redbird (cardinal), you will probably think
of this charming story.
At the end of the book there are also a bunch of recipes from the Lost River townspeople. Frances's Macaroni and Cheese looks mighty tempting. I'll have to try it.
I love it when books throw in recipes. Making the dishes brings back memories of the books. For example, every time I make leek potato soup, I think of William Alexander and Superchuck in The $64 Tomato. (By the way, the soup is delicious!)
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| Fannie Flagg |
If you’re looking at the author’s picture and thinking she looks
familiar, it’s because she is not only a writer but an actress, too. She’s been on The Love Boat, Harper Valley PTA, and more. She’s also the author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café which was adapted
into the popular movie released in 1991. As if that isn't ambitious enough, she wrote the screenplay for the movie
and it was nominated for an Oscar for
best screenplay adaptation. Unfortunately, the adapted screenplay for Silence of the Lambs beat her in that
category. If it was up to me, I would have voted for Fried Green Tomatoes any day. I'd much rather have fried green tomatoes than fava beans with a nice chianti, if you know what I mean (though I think I'll pass on the ribs and liver).
Happy reading,
Annette
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