The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love by Jill Conner Browne
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Book Reviews of The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love
Book Review: Sometimes More is More
Summary: 5 Stars
Gently reared females are taught that less is more. But females also know that rules were made to be broken, and sometimes you've just got to let your hair down, tease it up, buy yourself a tiara, and strut your stuff in sequins because ... more is so much better!The Sweet Potato Queens break all the rules with an earthy joie de vivre that is hysterical to read. Since nobody is going to do it for you, appoint yourself the queen of whatever, stock up on comfort food, and read this book. From majorette boots and white girls and suntans to men who may need killing and zippity-doo-dah, I hooted like a loon. I was raised to be prepared, but I never thought of pocket hams. I loved the possum story and the recipes for Chocolate Stuff and Fat Mama's Knock You Naked Margaritas, but my favorite was the one about the mixing bowl. You may not want your mama, if she's prissy, to be reading about making The Promise in spikes and trashy lingerie, but women of a certain age will bust a gut laughing. This is by far the funniest book I've read this year and, believe me, I'll read it again next time I get the blues.
Book Review: Exhilarating
Summary: 5 Stars
As a dis-placed, mis-placed Southerner living in the North, I have become downright testy about all the cutesy-poo, "Oh, my, aren't we just so special!" ultra-Southern writing around these days. (I'm among the few not enchanted by the Ya-Yas.) So when a friend from New England, no less, foisted the SP Queens on me, I expected the worst. Praise God for surprises! This book is an antidote to cutesy; I found it hilarious, outrageous and wonderful. Yes, some people will be put off by the vulgarity & self-centeredness. (So give this book only to people you know!) For me, the vulgarity is part of the over-the-top energy & dead-on honesty that makes the book not only fun to read but exhilarating; her run-away creativity makes me feel more creative, more alive.
It did seem to me to lose some steam, to seem a little padded, toward the end. But that's a minor carp.
Jill Browne is not your mother's Fannie Flagg or Rebecca Wells; she does remind me, though, of another (older, I think) very funny Southern writer--Florence King.
Book Review: Sweet Potato Queens Rule
Summary: 5 Stars
Jill Conner Browne is the leader and founder of the SweetPotato Queens, Jackson, Mississippi women who wear anatomicallyenhanced green sequin dresses, and toss sweet potatoes to the crowds from the back of a pickup truck in the annual St. Patrick's Day parade. The queens have many fans, male and female. They even have their own web site, sweetpotatoqueens.The Queens know all about men, life and love, and they are willing to share the information. Their methods and behavior are sometimes bawdy, but they admit they always promise more than they plan to deliver.
They offer advice on how to get any man to do your bidding, on the five men you must always have in your life, on men who signal danger, and men who may need killing. They have wonderful recipes for those times when only food can comfort, including Chocolate Stuff and Fat Mama's Knock You Naked Margaritas.
Their advice has an underlying practicality and honesty even though it is given tongue in cheek. Any woman, unless she is hopelessly prissy, will have fun reading about the Queens.
Book Review: this is FUN stuff!
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of those "lucky tosses". I'm on a book shopping spree with my girlfriend, pick this up off of a bargain rack, and say "what the hell?" and toss it in my basket.
I laughed out loud as I read this book. I even used my yellow highlighter to mark my favorite parts. Then I loaned it to the friend I was shopping with. She used a pencil and added her own notes and comments. I have since mailed it out of state twice to share with a sister and another friend. One of whom didn't have the proper mindset and expected Jane Austen, I guess. She just "didn't get it". More's the pity. Bless her heart.
Half of the fun of passing this around is also seeing the commentary by others. There is even a ceremony of sorts involved. An email is sent to the prospective new reader (copied to the past readers) and she must reply to all swearing that she 1.) WILL RETURN IT and 2.) Not let her dumbass husband or boyfriend read it or even see it. And mention is made that notes/highlights are acceptable and even encouraged. It's just great big Girlfriend Fun!
Book Review: Praise the Lord for the Sweet Potato Queens!
Summary: 5 Stars
READ THIS BOOK! It will cause you to do things like run out and buy gem encrusted cat eye sunglasses (I got a sort-of-frosted clear, with pearls), and worry more about your lingerie than whether or not your hair is sufficiently Big! If nothing else, the recipe for the "chocolate stuff" is worth the cost of shipping and handling. The advice given in this book is invaluable - particularly the advice regarding men. If Annie (You know - the Susan Sarandon character from the movie "Bull Durham") was real - she would be a Sweet Potato Queen. Jezebel? - a Sweet Potato Queen. I love this book so much I made my Momma read it - and she says "it should be read once a year, to remind oneself about the true nature of living." That is high praise indeed, coming from my Momma. If you are a woman with an ounce of gumption, a particular vivaciousness, or you know a woman in these categories, buy this book, read it, and pass it on. The world will be a better place for your doing so. Be Particular!