Daisy Fay and the Miracle Man, published as
Coming Attractions in 1981 and again by Warner
Books as DF & the MM in 1992. This excellent book was written by Fannie Flagg, the intelligent comedienne, author, and actress who appeared on "The Match Game" in the 1970s and 1980s and as the school nurse in John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John''s "Grease." Ms. Flagg also wrote
Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe as well as the film''s screenplay. This is a hilarious diary of a young girl named Daisy Fay Harper. She starts her journal entries when she is eleven years old, and they continue until she is eighteen. Included amongst the adventures or shenanigans of her family and friends is a wonderful time capsule of information about popular movies and the lifestyle of the 1950s. There are vivid descriptions of net dresses and crepe paper decorations and quoted taglines from movies that make you wonder why anyone ever went to see them. Small town Southern
life is lovingly and aptly portrayed in an amazing cast of characters. Some of these people you would love to meet, and a few others probably not, but all from the leader of the Jr. Debutantes to the albino undertaker to the "Cecilettes" are fascinating and fun! Fannie Flagg''s insightful analysis of life''s tragic moments will stay with you long after you finish reading. This is truly a masterful book that magically mixes malt shop summers on the Gulf Coast, miracles, Dale Carnegie, the FBI, taxidermy, and the Miss Mississippi pageant.