Go Ask Fannie
By Elisabeth Hyde
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 9780735218567, April 10, 2018, 304pp.
The Short of It:
This family’s story tugged at my heart.
The Rest of It:
Murray Blaire is getting on in years. At 81, he’s set in his ways but still present enough to know the importance of family. In an attempt to convince his youngest adult daughter that the man she is seeing is far too old for her and a real jerk, he invites his three children up for a long weekend.
Ruth as the eldest, figures it’s a good time to discuss the possibility of long-term care before her father actually needs it but Lizzie and George and most of all, Murray, just aren’t ready to talk about it. Plus, Lizzie quickly figures out the real reason for the visit and although she realizes she made many mistakes in her life, she’s not quite ready to address them. Certainly not in front of her judgmental older sister.
This is family drama at its best. Go Ask Fannie is a touching story about what it takes to have a successful marriage and raise a family while still maintaining a sense of self. Lillian and Murray lived a wonderful life but her death and the death of their son Daniel place a cloud over this family that cannot be ignored. Murray’s grief and the weight of loss his kids carry is palpable. It’s a story about missed opportunities and second chances. It’s sweet and well-told and comes together beautifully at the end.
Elisabeth Hyde is a new-to-me author but I really enjoyed her writing. Go Ask Fannie is a book many will enjoy this summer.
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher.
Disclosure: This post contains Indiebound affiliate links.
Book Chatter 
I love your review and I truly loved this book…it even broke my heart just a bit because it brought back memories of my dad…
This one does sound like a book I’d like in the right mood. Maybe later this summer. I’m afraid that I was a bossy older sister though. Ha!
I was also a bossy sis! Not that it did any good but you will love this book.
I love reading about family drama and hope to get to this soon.
This is one I will most likely skip. I am too sensitive about family dramas these days, especially with older children having to deal with/adjust to elderly parents.
This one is more heartwarming than sad but I see your point. I have moments where the topic of elder care hits me hard as both my parents died horrible deaths because of lack of resources and the like.
This sounds like a perfect book for me!
Hi Ti, this looks like a goodie. I hope you’ll have time to bring this over to Books You Loved: June so everyone can see it. Cheers from Carole’s Chatter
The impact of grief on a family cannot be understated. I have a number of colleagues dealing with a family suicide and the impact is beyond imaginable.
I agree and people process death in such different ways too. The news of Kate Spade’s suicide is especially tragic. When you mentioned suicide I immediately thought of her situation. Leaving a note for her 13 year old daughter too, so so tragic but she was in such a dark place she probably thought she was doing everyone a favor not realizing her daughter will probably never fully understand the why.
I just requested an ARC from Amazon Vine. Glad u liked it.
I think you will like it too.
It sounds like a good one — heartwarming I need. My parents are getting to this stage. hmm I will look for it.
This sounds like a heavy topic for summer reading; at least for me.
It’s a little heavy depending on where you are in life. If you have aging parents who are forced to consider these things then yes. Wow! You commented on every post! Must have taken you forever. I do love hearing from you.