I Still Dream About You by Fannie Flagg

 

"Dear God, how perfectly sad. She had not progressed since the sixth grade. Lately, she had begun to suspect that underneath that pleasant exterior was just another pleasant exterior. She had gotten older, but not wiser. She'd always thought she would be so much smarter by now, but she wasn't. If anything, she was losing ground."           -Maggie, from the novel

I have read and enjoyed several of Fannie Flagg's novels over the years, none more than Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe. This one was great fun, as well.

Former Miss Alabama Maggie Fortenberry is a real estate agent in Birmingham, hired by the founder Hazel Whisenknott, a woman of small stature and very large spirit. Coworker and friend Brenda Peoples fights a weight problem and aspires to be the first black female mayor of Birmingham. Agency head Ethel Clipp has her own eccentricities. All three women have been trying to keep Red Mountain Realty afloat after the death of the beloved Hazel including an intense rivalry with Babs Bingington whom they call "The Beast."

Though it appears to others Maggie has everything going for her---beauty and charm, she is depressed that her life is so disappointing and is making elaborate plans to end it. Somewhat predictably her plans are interrupted.

Having lived in North Alabama through high school and college, I found the references to Birmingham interesting---facts about the founding and its infamous part in the Civil Rights Movement. I did not remember ever hearing it called "the Magic City."

The plot of I Still Dream... reminded me of A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman since Ove had also lost the will to live and surprising new acquaintances interfered with his plans.

A little romance, some mystery and a good dose of Southern humor enhanced the story. I give it a 4 rating.