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: Did I Miss Something Here, Y'All?
Summary: 1 Stars
Maybe I grew up on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line (that would be north of Jackson, Mississippi) to appreciate the humor in this book, but I didn't find it all that funny. With the exception of a few ancedotes this book was disappointing and did not live up to the rave reviews I'd heard about it.
Some of the advice handed out in this book was good (I agree with the author regarding toupees on men). A couple of the anecdotes were side-splittingly funny (such as the one about the Queens most-prepared woman award). Even a couple of the comfort-food recipes sounded good (the chocolate pudding in particular). But overall this comes off as just a bunch of frustrated women over-40, who need therapy because they never got majorette boots as children.
Personally, I had a difficult time finishing this book and don't care to read any of the subsequent books that have been written by Ms. Browne. As she explains how the Queens came to be, she attempts to draw you in with some "good girl talk" to make you feel part of the gang. The author turned me off with her definition of the Sweet Potato Queens as an exclusive sorority with it's group of wannabes, who supposedly grovel and beg to become a Queen. Give me a break! Even if this was meant to be funny, it wasn't. It was just pathetic.
My good, sound advice to you on this book -- save your money and don't buy it.
Book Review: It's the Gospel Truth!
Summary: 5 Stars
Well, imagine our suprise when we came across this book that tells it like it is for women over 40. I think the younger generations would probably still be too dumb to get it, but those of us who rememeber when Miss America was the best looking girl in America rather than some bogus scholarship pagent will enjoy this book. Browne tells it like it is and gives advice that is right on the money. I got the book from a friend who gave it to my Momma to give it to me. Of course, Momma read it first and then passed it on to me. We just thought this book was the funniest thing ever written, but the finest quality of this book is that it is all so true! Momma and I bought copies for all our family and friends. Brown gives advice on everything from how to get what you want from a male EVERYTIME to how to get rid of a possum under the bed. In addition there are a couple of great recipes for overcoming just about any occasion life might offer. If you want to laugh until your side splits or find out that you have kindred sisters out there who miss that thrilling feeling of riding on the back of a convertable with a crown sparkling in sun, then this book is a can't miss. Remember, there are just thousands of books out there to read, and we certainly don't have time to read them all. So, we must BE PARTICULAR. Read this one. It's entirely too good to miss!Book Review: I Guess I Was Expecting Too Much
Summary: 2 Stars
I had heard this book was very funny, and it looked like it would be a fun book to read. My first opinion after I started reading this book was that Ms. Browne was obviously not in with the popular crowd in her school days. Throughout the book she goes on about how her and the "Tammys" are superior and the "Wannabes" have to wait on them hand and foot and will never be an actual "Queen"....PUH-LEASE!!! Get over yourself! I should have stopped, but no...i pressed on and finished the book.Sure there were some humorous parts and some good recipes, but for the most part it was repetitive and sad rather than funny. I do give the Sweet Potato Queens credit for having lots of fun, (even though our definitions of fun are two totally different things)because having fun in life is so important! However, my lasting impression of the Sweet Potato Queens is that they are 30 and 40-somethings that are really 20-something wannabes, and act like trailer trash in the process.
If you want a real fun book (although dark at times) about true friendship, read "The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood" by Rebecca Wells. The Ya-Ya's have fun too, but, unlike the Queens, they have class!
Book Review: It's Not Easy Being Queen
Summary: 5 Stars
I could not imagine why I would enjoy this book. The idea of being a beauty queen doesn't appeal, I am not from the South, I don't think the only thing men are good for is buying me jewelry. So for several years after The Sweet Potato Queens' Book of Love came out, I ignored it. Then I heard Jill Conner Browne on the car radio and nearly ran off the road from laughing.
The Book of Love is a ridiculously disguised excuse for Browne to dish out heaping servings of advice. It is all good-natured and upbeat, if not always prim and ladylike, if you catch my drift. The Sweet Potato Queens, who receive the ceremonial title of "Tammy" upon reaching Queendom, all know the magic words to get a man to do anything you want him to. They know the Best Advice Ever Given in the History of the Entire World. And they reveal all in this, the first Sweet Potato Queens book.
Fortunately, it is not necessary to dress up like a Sweet Potato Queen to benefit from the Book of Love. In fact, the SPQ costumes look rather like drag queen ensembles. In any case, if you get the audio version, just be careful while you're driving.
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.