Fanny and Sue

by Karen Stolz

Book Overview

When Karen Stolz's World of Pies was published two years ago, readers and critics alike savored every delicious word. Now Stolz returns to themes of childhood and coming of age in a poignant novel about twin sisters. In beautifully rendered detail, Stolz reveals the pleasure of freshly laundered dresses and homemade fudge, the terror of childhood illness and quarrels, and the magical connection that only twins possess. Set against the backdrop...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786867019
• ISBN13: 9780786867011
• Release Date: March 2003
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.8" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 18 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Postsecondary to Grade 12

Customer Reviews

A Gentler Time and Place

Meet Fanny and Sue, twins, born in the depression era. Despite hardships these two weather the storms of scarlett fever, polio, dire straights financially, all with the help of their loving family. Fanny is out going, vivacious, and dreams of stardom as she watches the "talkies" in the theater. Sue is more bookish, shy and dreams of teaching. The antics of these two make the reader laugh out loud, and the problems they encounter cause the reader to choke-up a bit at their fortitude and tenacity of heart. Lovely, warm, comforting, and real, this book is a precious gem to throughly enjoy!!!

What wonderful people

This is just a really sweet book about twin sisters & their family. I wish things were still the way they were in this book. I would love to have known more about Fanny & Sue's lives. Hopefully this author will keep more coming.

Full of the kind of details that satisfy!

I can understand what the Publishers Weekly reviewer was talking about---if he or she is used to "modern" novels full of very sad happenings and completely nothing sentimental and many deep character insights, this would not be the book to read. However, if they were like many of the real people out there, they would probably love this book. It's full of details that really made the place and time (St. Louis in the 20s and 30s) come alive for me---things like what Fanny and Sue wore, what they ate, how their room was decorated, what it was like in the isolation factory, how they prepared for their first date and how their parents reacted, all that. I kept waiting for the ultra sad moment to arrive that often mars such a read for me, and was relieved it never came---their lives had their ups and downs like most of our lives, but they moved on. This book is crying out for a sequel---it ends just as the next phase of their life is starting. I loved World of Pies also, and am looking forward to more by this stand-out author.

Fanny & Sue

As she did in World of Pies, Karen Stolz is back with another charming, wholesome and insightful story that takes you back toanother time and place, this time in the depression era in St. Louis. Telling the story of twin girls, Fanny & Sue, Stolz paints a picture of two very different girls-the wilder, more adventurous Fanny, and the bookish, more sensitive Sue. Though opposites in many ways, the girls share a strong bond and cling to one another as we share in the monumental moments of their lives. Though the story is fiction, Stolz weaves in interesting facts about twins and their bonds and blends in fun momentos of the decades, like going to see Cary Grant at the "talkies."Fanny & Sue has many laugh out loud moments as well as sadness and triumph. I can't wait to read more from this talented author~

Charming.

The author of the charming World of Pies returns with a story set in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, about twin girls - Fanny and Sue. Narrating every other chapter, Fanny and Sue alternate in telling the story of their life, the relationship they have as sisters, and their hopes and dreams of the future.Reading this book made me long to live in Fanny and Sue's world for just one day, to experience what it was like in that era and what it was like to live with a "cookie cutter" family - mom and dad, two girls, and a boy. Fanny and Sue's life was, however, far from perfect, but the two weathered their hardships together and stayed best friends even through the betrayals and jealousies typical of sibling rivalry. Make sure when reading this book you have a blanket, burning candles, soft music, a purring cat, and something good to eat and drink - the book is pure indulgence and should only be read while pampering oneself.