NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER - The bestselling author of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe is at her superb best in this fun-loving, moving novel about what it means to be truly alive. Elmwood Springs, Missouri, is a small town like any other, but something strange is happening at the cemetery. Still Meadows, as its called, is anything but still. Original, profound, The Whole Towns Talking, a novel in the tradition of Thornton Wilders Our Town and Flaggs own Cant Wait to Get to Heaven, tells the story of Lordor Nordstrom, his Swedish mail-order bride, Katrina, and their neighbors and descendants as they live, love, die, and carry on in mysterious and surprising ways. Lordor Nordstrom created, in his wisdom, not only a lively town and a prosperous legacy for himself but also a beautiful final resting place for his family, friends, and neighbors yet to come. Resting place turns out to be a bit of a misnomer, however. Odd things begin to happen, and it starts the whole town talking. With her wild imagination, great storytelling, and deep understanding of folly and the human heart, the beloved Fannie Flagg tells an unforgettable story of life, afterlife, and the remarkable goings-on of ordinary people. In The Whole Towns Talking, she reminds us that community is vital, life is a gift, and love never dies. Praise for The Whole Towns Talking A] witty multigenerational saga . . .Fannie] Flaggs down-home wisdom, her affable humor and her long view of life offer a pleasant respite in nerve-jangling times.--People The Whole Towns Talkingis] Fannie Flagg at her best.--Florida Times Union If theres one thing Fannie Flagg can do better than anybody else, its tell a story, and she outdoes herself in The Whole Towns Talking. . . . Another brilliant novel--equally on the level as her famous Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe.--The Newport Plain Talk Told with warmth, humor and remarkable characters, this touching novel is a tribute to the indomitable spirit of love.--The Columbus Dispatch Delightful.--The Washington Post I could not put this book down and didnt want the tale to end. Fannie Flagg does it again; a great read you wont want to miss.--The Missourian Its a sweeping, cinematic approach. . . . Flaggs gentle storytelling makes the novel an easy, comfortable read that will leave a reader thinking about life, love and loss--Minneapolis Star Tribune Fannie Flagg] creates a world familiar in its reality and its hopes, and she displays her storytelling skills, ones that are enhanced by her humanity, her optimism and her big heart. . . . The Whole Towns Talkingis] a story of lifes peaks, valleys and ordinary days--and a ringing affirmation of love, community and life itself.--Richmond Times-Dispatch The Whole Towns Talking is warm and inviting. Flaggs Elmwood Springs novels are comfort reads of the best kind, warm and engaging without flash or fuss.--Miami Herald Flaggs humor shines through as she chronicles their successes, disappointments, and even a mysterious murder or two.--BookPage A] charming tale.--Booklist