Clyde Edgerton

At 78, Mattie Rigsbee is slowing down. At least, that's what she keeps telling herself and anyone who will listen in her little North Carolina hometown. Why, she's gotten to the point that she waits to do her lunch dishes until after she's watched All My Children! When a little stray dog shows up on her back porch, she immediately proclaims to all around that she cannot keep him, although she keeps feeding him even as she tells herself she's going to call the dogcatcher "right now". She does (eventually) call that dogcatcher, and that's the opening domino in a series of unfortunate events that lead Mrs. Rigsbee into situations she never in a million years thought she would ever experience.

There's nothing overly deep or profound about this book, but I found the sometimes madcap Southern humor quite enjoyable. The tone is reminiscent of Fannie Flagg or Bailey White. The predicaments Mattie gets herself and others into — and out of — had me giggling on occasion, as did her visit with her older sister Pearl to pick out their caskets. The refusal of Mattie's two grown children to get on with it and get married and give her grandchildren before it's too late (Robert is in his mid-40s and never married, though he has an impressive lamp collection; Elaine is in her late 30s and too involved with women's and other social issues to knuckle under to a husband) is maddening to Miss Mattie, but it's expressed in ways understood by anyone who's ever endured the family interrogation at Thanksgiving: "So, are you seeing anyone? Why not? You're not getting any younger, you know!"… (altro)

This is my third, and last, Edgerton. I liked this one better than the other two, but even with this one I was mostly hoping to reach the end by 3/4 of the way through. Mattie Rigsbee is a well-drawn character, as are several of the others, and I do love her down-south, got to feed you all, personality. She reminded me of my grandmother in that regard. I did find several of the situations she finds herself in amusing.

So, I cannot explain to anyone why Edgerton's humor does not connect with me. It just doesn't. Everyone else seems to enjoy him so much and find his books rollicking good fun. One of those occasions when you absolutely know it is you. This is one of the few times when I think perhaps the movie would be the better way for me to experience this story. So, I tried the audio version, but no that was worse.

I have given this a 3-star rating, "I liked it", which is a true rating. I did like it, I just didn't love it. I would never discourage anyone from reading Edgerton. Too many of my most trusted friends love him for me to doubt that he is an excellent humorist. No one should ever base their choice of anything comedic on me...I have a very strange sense of humor. But, I do laugh. The Princess Bride has me in stitches every time.… (altro)