Stella in Heaven: Almost a Novel

by Art Buchwald

Book Overview

Roger Folger, age sixty-one, is a recent widower, but the spirit of his wife, Stella, hasn't wandered far. An all-too-corporeal Roger converses at will with Stella's disembodied voice in the privacy... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399146423
• ISBN13: 9780399146428
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
• Length: 182 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.4" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 12 and higher

Customer Reviews

delightful

I thought "Stella in Heaven" was such great find--and I only paid a dollar for it!--that I loaned it out to various friends and they passed it around to friends. What a great take on the view from heaven--maybe. I'm actually thinking of purchasing it again for a nice re-read.

Direct Line to Heaven

Buchwald is the master of poignant humor. (Upon his recent death, his video was released: "Hello, this is Art Buchwald and I just died.") This small, easily read book deals with everything-life, death, loss, love, war, bar mitzvahs, gossip, all discussed by wife and husband from her Princess phone in Heaven. The heartbreaking braveness to go on in the face of all of this is simple and touching. I heartily recommend it. Keep tissues by your side when reading.

A Palate Cleanser

If you are looking for a few laughs and maybe even a couple of life's little lessons, Stella in Heaven is your ticket to the otherside. Even after Stella ascends to Heaven she dominates her Husban's life via a special phone granted as one of her three wishes awarded upon her arrival at the Pearly Gates. She assumes that he will be unable to manage his affairs without her, and organizes a celestial body to find him a new wife. She tries, she fails, and she tries again. Little does Stella know, that he will surprise her, and find his own wife when Stella least expects it. This little book is funny, refreshing, and very down to earth so to speak...I loved it, finished it in an afternoon, and look forward to reading other books by Buchwald.

Heavenly Relationships and Complications!

Art Buchwald is one of my favorite humorists, and I was pleased to see the results of his "almost novel" in this book. I thought that this book captured his wry sense very well. Husband and wife relations can be just as funny as U.S.-Russian ones, after all! Having written political satire as newspaper columns, he has turned his hand here to writing what resemble satirical columns that are designed to read like daily diary entries. That format is probably why this was called an "almost novel" rather than a novel. I found that the format worked well for me. On the other hand, people who want a smooth, seamless novel will find this style jarring. Here's the plot. Roger Folger, 61, is a widower. His wife, Stella, died two years earlier at 59 from smoking a pack a day, after 38 years of marriage. They have two children, Timmy who is 40 and Sarah who is 38. Roger lives with his mother, Mimi, and daughter. Roger misses Stella, because she always made all of the decisions. On the other hand, he has an ace in the hole. Stella has found a way to telephone him, and they chat every night. From Heaven, she tells him about her life there, and tries to run his life on earth. Her key priority is fixing him up with a new wife. But he doesn't want one. He loves Stella very much, and doesn't want to be with anyone else. Pretty soon, though, he starts enjoying his new found freedom to do things Stella wouldn't approve of, like helping more people and investing with his friend. Unfortunately, every so often someone dies and goes to Heaven, and they tell Stella what he has been up to. Then, Roger's life gets complicated. The story continues in the best tradition of the George Burns and Gracie Allen type of husband-and-wife monologue and dialogue humor.The book is written in a series of short sequences that relate what is going on from either Stella's perspective in Heaven or Roger's on earth. These are each about the length of an individual newspaper column. I savored each one as a stand-alone, and found myself laughing frequently. Much of each one is a monologue, but occasional snatches of dialogue are included as well. Here are a few of the story elements and complications that make for humor: Roger is a herpes researcher, occasionally people go to Heaven who didn't like each other on earth, Mimi and Sarah are dedicated protestors, and Sarah becomes a mother. Mr. Buchwald weaves all of this into one continuous fabric of satire with one fun twist after another. I cannot tell you any more without spoiling it for you, but a lot more happens in this story.To me, the most interesting part of the book is the material about Heaven. I have not really thought that much about some of the circumstances in Heaven, and Buchwald's speculations were interesting to me. Stella regularly consults Moses to get advice. She also attends concerts with the original composers and takes cooking lessons with the great deceased chefs. On the other hand, the

A wonderful book

This is the story of Stella, who is trying to fix her husband up with a new wife. Problem is Stella is dead - and her husband isn't interesting in remarrying. Stella requested the opportunity to speak to her husband anytime she wants, so they communicate via a special phone.I really enjoyed this book. Much different than many of the books I've read lately - no crime, no sex, just a lot of laughs.A quick read and one I recommend to everyone!