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77th out of 297 books
—
495 voters
Buster Midnight's Cafe
May Anna Kovacks was discovered on the dustry streets of Butte, Montana and went on to become a Hollywood star. War, fame, marriage, love, and heartbreak came and went. What never changed was the bond she shared with her two best friends, Effa Commander and Whippy Bird. When scandal, murder, and betrayal made a legend of May Anna, only Effa and Whippy Bird could set the re...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
April 15th 1998
by St. Martin's Griffin
(first published 1990)
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I've been wanting to read Sandra Dallas for a long time, so I was eager to get to this one for the October meeting with my "book lunch girls." I finished it this rainy Saturday morning while wrapped in a blanket in bed.
I think I started the book with a misconception. Sue, who picked this month's book, had said we needed some lighter reading than we'd had recently, and she called the narrator "hilarious." My fourteen-year-old daughter, who read the book before I got to it, also said the book was...more
I think I started the book with a misconception. Sue, who picked this month's book, had said we needed some lighter reading than we'd had recently, and she called the narrator "hilarious." My fourteen-year-old daughter, who read the book before I got to it, also said the book was...more
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I have mixed feelings about this book. I have read three other books by Sandra Dallas and I really loved them, but this one seems a little contrived. The characters are more caricatures, and from the wrong part of the country. I could easily believe that May Anna, Effa Commander and Whippy Bird came from a small town in Texas rather than Montana. The names, grammar and some of the actions seem more like the deep South. On the other hand, the fact that May Anna's mother has "gentlemen callers" an...more
I've enjoyed other Sandra Dallas books more ("The Persian Pickle Club" in particular) - this one is a slighter effort and one that never gains as much heft as her other titles, and since, in truth, her books aren't of the "hefty" kind, that doesn't really leave much meat on the bone... Although primarily set in Butte, MT, the book falls into the "southern female story of recent vintage with quirky characters" genre (think Ya Ya Sisterhood...), and, personally, I think I'm now done with that genr...more
It was by happenstance that I came across a few reviews of Sandra Dallas books, and I liked what I read. Another total coincidence is that I actually picked her first book written in1990 to start with.
I will admit that her style is a bit reminiscent of Fannie Flagg or Billie Letts, both authors I utterly adore.
Buster Midnight’s Café is indeed very sweet, compelling, funny, melancholic and charming. It’s the story of three friends from the time they were very young children (in the 1920ies) to th...more
I will admit that her style is a bit reminiscent of Fannie Flagg or Billie Letts, both authors I utterly adore.
Buster Midnight’s Café is indeed very sweet, compelling, funny, melancholic and charming. It’s the story of three friends from the time they were very young children (in the 1920ies) to th...more
Most definitely not a deep read, but I found this book to be a highly imaginative, entertaining read. The combination of such ridiculous names as Whippy Bird and Effa Commander as well as the drama of a lifelong friendship, makes for a most satisfying light read.
This is the story of three girls growing up in a small town. One finds fame and the other two experience her fame second hand through knowing her. The story is of their friendship and the stories of the sorrows and joys of their lives they shared.
This is my second book by this author, and I have got to say I'm glad I didn't read this one 1st. If I had I'm not sure I would have read the other one which was put into my favorites (Prayers for Sale). I try to cut slack for debut novels but this one...more
This is my second book by this author, and I have got to say I'm glad I didn't read this one 1st. If I had I'm not sure I would have read the other one which was put into my favorites (Prayers for Sale). I try to cut slack for debut novels but this one...more
What a great first novel from Sandra Dallas. Loved her setting of Montana, and the nicknames of all the characters. To me it really showed the way things used to be in that era. Everyone striving for a better life. Some went into movies, others athletics, some stayed home.
And things have not changed since then. When you look at todays youth you see the same patterns of people trying to elevate themselves. Some with music, others TV, reality shows, whatever they can do to make it upward in socie...more
And things have not changed since then. When you look at todays youth you see the same patterns of people trying to elevate themselves. Some with music, others TV, reality shows, whatever they can do to make it upward in socie...more
I'll be returning to the Sandra Dallas section in the library after reading this one, my first of her novels.
I loved the voice of Effa Commander and, through her, Whippy Bird's inputs. Characters' lives, locations, and immediate surroundings felt fully fleshed out; I could imagine going into Effa Commander's kitchen, pulling open a drawer, and actually finding silverware. The rich combination of characters and storytelling is what made this book wholly satisfying, but the ending was really rewar...more
I loved the voice of Effa Commander and, through her, Whippy Bird's inputs. Characters' lives, locations, and immediate surroundings felt fully fleshed out; I could imagine going into Effa Commander's kitchen, pulling open a drawer, and actually finding silverware. The rich combination of characters and storytelling is what made this book wholly satisfying, but the ending was really rewar...more
An engaging read following the lives of several friends growing up in Butte Montana. Told as the main characters decide to tell the "true story" once they're all old. While the story is interesting, and the characters are nice, it's a little like reading people magazine. None of the characters had any redeeming qualities that made me want to "revisit". I don't expect a basic fiction novel to be "uplifting and educational" but I want to in some way relate to a character and these people are all -...more
As if character names such as Effa Commander and Whippy Bird alone do not merit a reading of this novel, the scandals, true friendships and portrayal of Butte,Montana just might. This novel elaborates on the melodrama-esque nature of early Hollywood as May Anna Kovaks, now Marion Street, finds her stride as an up and coming cinema celebrity, all while her best friends, Effa Commander and Whippy Bird follow her rise to fame from their quiet corner in Butte.
I liked how true and lasting the friend...more
I liked how true and lasting the friend...more
I wanted to like this book more. I am a big fan of Fannie Flagg and I was hoping this book would be up to her standard, especially since it was recommended by the shelf at Powell Books. It is an okay read. The book takes place in Butte, but the characters were named and seemed to talk like they are from the deep south, which I found disconcerting. It is a book about life long friendships, but one had to suspend logic to believe much of the plot. That said, it is a good enough read.
Sandra Dallas writes the most lifelike warm stories and I have enjoyed reading several of her books lately. When I began this one it seemed a little trite and silly with the names and all. My husband started out his legal career working for Anaconda Copper Corp. and Butte Montana was the center of things other than NYC where we were. Anyway, that kept me reading and I eventually was pulled right in. The characters are so real and it made me feel the friendship and want to see it grow. Charming b...more
I know some friends have liked this author, and I was looking forward to this one. The writing style was captivating, but I didn't get very far into the book before I was worried. A main character becomes a famous actress and is known as a hooker as well as blamed for a murder. With her best girlhood friends, they are called the "unholy three" and like to drink, smoke, swear (frequent "mild" swearing). Not the kind of book I want to spend my time on.
What a find! Sandra Dallas is a wonderful, authentic American writer. I like her as much as Billie Letts. I can't figure out where she comes up with the names of her characters - but I love them, especially Effa Commander and Whippy Bird.
I am still reading this book, but I know when I finish it I will have that forlorn feeling of losing my best friends.
Seek this one out, and enjoy!
I am still reading this book, but I know when I finish it I will have that forlorn feeling of losing my best friends.
Seek this one out, and enjoy!
I truly enjoyed this book so much.
It was a well done STORY.
I hung on to it all----the characters, timeline, the cityscape were all so well done.
You really grew to love, understand & care for the main characters.
I laughed out loud, then turned right around and cried for the next 5 pages.
A very sweet tale of love, war, old Hollywood and life in general.
It was a well done STORY.
I hung on to it all----the characters, timeline, the cityscape were all so well done.
You really grew to love, understand & care for the main characters.
I laughed out loud, then turned right around and cried for the next 5 pages.
A very sweet tale of love, war, old Hollywood and life in general.
Seriously one of the best books I've read in a long time. I expected nothing from the title and, dare I say, the cover, but was so surprised. Had a narrative flavor reminiscent of Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe, and not because they both mention cafes in the title. Made me laugh and cry out loud. To me, that is the mark of a good book..
A great book with down to earth characters. It takes place in Butte, Montana and Hollywood, CA. 3 women friends since age 5 grow up and while one becomes a movie star legend the ties that bind them together endure through WWII to old age, through love and one single act of violence. Both the female and male characters in this book are strong. Great read.
I think Sandra Dallas is my new favorite author! I love the quirky characters and their goodness. She adds a little mystery and a lot of humor. The storyline for this book takes place in Butte, Montana before during and after WWII. It's about three childhood friends, the "Unholy Three" and the path their lives follow from childhood to senior citizens.
I gave this three stars even though I didn't really like it at all. However, there is nothing wrong with the book. It is well written and the characters are interesting -- if you like caricatures of interesting midwestern women. I don't. Dallas's other books are wonderful and she has every right to change style on this one. I just don't like it.
I’ve read a few of Sandra Dallas’ books and have loved them, so I am adding her others to my list to-read. This was a great easy read. I love the quirky characters and their goodness. She adds a little mystery and a lot of humor. The storyline for this book takes place in Butte, Montana around the time of WWII. It's about three childhood girlfriends, the "Unholy Three" and the path their lives follow from childhood till the end of their lives. Its told as a book written with the “true story” of...more
I enjoyed this book, though not quite as much as other books I have read by this author. As she has a knack for doing, Sandra Dallas has created endearing characters in this book. Her depiction of the deep and enduring friendships between these characters is heartwarming and there were several moments which truly touched my heart. However, there were times the story felt a bit disjointed for me and perhaps went on a bit too long about certain topics. Overall, though, this was a nice, touching re...more
I read a lot of books--in fact I read all day long for a living--and it takes a lot to stir me to tears--this book did that. Sandra Dallas's characters truly touch me. She is one of the best at characterization writing today--I loved this novel and want Whippy Bird and Effa Commander to be my best friends, too!
I listened to this on audiobook and really enjoyed it. Part of that had to do with the super job the reader did of inhabiting these characters. It was a spunky, endearing story of female friendship, and I enjoyed listening. It was also a love letter to Butte, Montana, which is more interesting than you might think. Or at least more interesting than I expected.
This is Dallas's first novel, and already I see her gift for creating characters that leap off the page and into your heart. Effie Commander, Whipping Bird and May Anna (a/k/a/ Marion Strut) are vividly drawn. And, of course, there is a murder, and conflicting confessions for the reader to sort through.
Who knew Butte, Montana was such a rough place to be planted? I had thought of it as a cowpoke town, but it turns out miners, and some hard-livin' folk. This story binds 6 couples with unflinching loyalty, despite lousy choices by Marion Street, mixed with hardships that life metes out to all.
Sandra Dallas is one of my favorite authors for "a something different" book. This one just didn't do it for me. The names drove me crazy every time I read one and make a joke of the whole story. This was an eariler book of hers and at least, I know her writing gets better.
I really enjoyed this story, however in the first half of the book it was hard to tell the relevance of some events. That being said, as I read on I loved not being able to predict short and long term outcomes in the story. A touching read.
Loved this book! I was so sorry when it ended. I'm very puzzled by the 3 stars many reviewers gave it. Wish I could have known Effa Commander and Whippy Bird and the rest of the crew from Butte. Not so sure about Marion Street, though.
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This story reminds me of my mother and her best friend who were "flappers" back in the day. How difficult it must have been to send husbands off to war and then to get the news that they were killed in battle. But friendship was the most important thing in those days.
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Award-winning author SANDRA DALLAS was dubbed “a quintessential American voice” by Jane Smiley, in Vogue Magazine. Sandra’s novels with their themes of loyalty, friendship, and human dignity have been translated into a dozen foreign languages and have been optioned for films.
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff...more
More about Sandra Dallas...
A journalism graduate of the University of Denver, Sandra began her writing career as a reporter with Business Week. A staff...more
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Oct 24, 2010 07:06am
Oct 24, 2010 09:42am