Edward Kelsey MooreThe Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat: A Novel (Vintage Contemporaries)

This novel explores the depths of friendship, the good, the bad and the unmentionable - LOL. Weave in some supernatural encounters and family drama, and you will find yourself wanting to sit at Big Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat window table for a front row seat to the shenanigans!

Had heard good things about this book but for me, I didn’t like it. I only got about a third of the way through and I just had to stop.

The characters are rich, fun, loving and don't forget the ghosts!! Loved them too!! A wonderful story about life long friendships, ups and downs, good times and bad times. A great read!!!

This book was clear entertainment from beginning to end. I ended up laughing and crying my way through it. It is probably one of the best, most original stories that I have been treated to in a long time. When I started reading it,I wasn't prepared for ghosts taking an active part in the action. However by the time I had read a bit farther on, everything pulled together completely, making sense as the extra voices added humor and sage advice to the lives of the main characters, the Supremes, as they were named by their friends and neighbors.The story unfolds within a black community in small Southern town during the 1960's a time of difficult racial problems in our country. Introducing the three women, who remain lifetime friends and their husbands with all the surrounding town folk adds their personalities and opinions to the tale.As the story evolves, you are let into each main character's life to find how the bond between the three friends has evolved through time. The cafe, where they meet after church each Sunday, also plays a major part in the plot as it is through the owner of it, that the first white boy is hired to wait on tables and work there. From then on things change within the little community, some things for the better, and some for heart break.Probably one of the funniest chapters I have ever read in any book takes place at a wedding that has been overly planned to be a big show in the community. Of course it was carefully planned by a woman who was playing, " Can You Top This" for her friends, whom she looked upon as beneath her socially.I loved this book. It opened up for me a new way of looking at family, friends, and even in thinking about those who have gone out my own life by now. I highly recommend it.

Mr. Moore had be rolling with laughs, crying real tears, and somehow had me in suspense! I felt I knew each character because of his excellent development of them! I even got to see another side of Eleanor Roosevelt! Read the book to see why!

The ghosts who inhabit this story are possibly my favorite characters, especially Odette's mother. I am a sucker for a well portrayed ghost mother with a witty mouth. I have to say I rather loved this book, even though I admit the story of life long women friends has been told before. But the story of these women has not been told, and I found their characters fresh and replete with with wry, intelligence. Intelligence in this case applying to the business of living. Odetter, Barbara Jean and Clarice are dubbed the Supremes by the founder of the diner and they reigned at their table ever since.I said that the ghosts were my favorite characters, and the way death is portrayed is quite special. The women have had times of near collapse after the death of a loved ones. Other times, the dead just fit into the fabric of the town. I love Odette's speaking with them and hearing their comments. And this is not presented in a cutesy or precious fashion. They are part of the plotline, at their own insistence.To me, this book is that rare commodity of accessable literature written with polish and restraint. I recommend you take off your shoes and allow yourself to wander around in Leaning Tree for a few hours. When you look up bleary eyed, you will have been there in the best of terms.

This book was an unexpected "pleasant" surprise. It was mysterious and serious, yet heartwarming and comical all at the same time.I simply loved the fact that this story (minus the ghost) could actually be a tale of a group of long time friends anywhere in small town America.It is refreshing that the main characters are "middle-aged" with everyday situations that could occur to characters of any age. Mr. Moore shows that you can still be witty, gorgeous, sexy, handsome, and a "snappy dresser" well into your 50's...while this is not unheard of, it is rarely captured in literature with such conviction. For this, I give him a "standing ovation!!"There are many twists and turns, just when you think you know "who dunnit`" or what is going to happen next, Edward Moore takes you for a literary ride, in a totally different direction, with an unexpected detail that makes you say...ah ha!.Because the characters are so vivid; You will find yourself laughing, crying, gasping and screaming to the characters out loud (i.e. run Barbara Jean..., run!!).Mr. Moore mastered the transitions from past to present and back again with the ease of veteran author; vs. a writer on his maiden voyage.My book club will be discussing this weekend at a "Soul Food" restaurant in Jacksonville, FL, and I can hardly wait!

I truly enjoyed this story and the characters, Clarice, Barbara Jean and Odette were likeable, funny and real. To have a friendship like they have is priceless. You can't choice family but thank God you can choose your friends.

I have had this book in my library for longer than I can remember. Now I’m in hospital and was looking for something different and this book certainly fitted the Bill.There are not many books that can make me cry and laugh out loud within the space of a few paragraphs but many a time a found the tears coursing down my cheeks or I was laughing like an idiot all on my ownIm not a great fan of supernatural tales but it was so well handled it felt quite credibleThe biggest surprise of all was to discover the author was a man. How he captured the emotions of those three woman is nothing short of a miracle

I found this book a very easy read , and was able ( once characters were established ) , to move along with the story . I was keen to see how the story would unwind , and wasn't disappointed! Once you realise as the reader that the plot is imaginative ,you can then laugh , feel sorrow or guess where the 'shallow ' characters end up ! There were a few suprises along the way ......I would recommend this story of friendship and hope to anyone , as its theme is endless . I eagerly await another book ( I would love to see how the characters get on )

I never read anything by this author before and got the book as a deal on Kindle. What a surprise it was to discover a very well written compelling story of friendship and hardship in a small community where the Suprimes grow up and grow old together. Odette's voice is unique and her story and her gift and insight on how people stay connected even after "life" is so heart warming it makes the prospect of death less scary. Thank you Mr Moore for a truly enjoyable book I will look out for more!!Truly recommended

Just finished this book and I loved it. I only bought it because I heard the author being interviewed on radio 2 and they did a book review on it. So glad they did as it was a really enjoyable read. Based on the friendship of three black middle aged women it goes back and forth covering their lives now and when they were young. Slowly revealing why they are the way they are now. Lots of amusing parts too.Think it would make an excellent book for a book club to cover.

I really loved this story. It had some great characters and laugh out loud moments. As some reviewers said it did require a little concentration initially to work out which character was narrating, but I was picking it up and putting it down and still managed. The people and period feel just draw you in and keep you turning the pages. It has some sadness which just serves to highlight the sweetness of the good times shared with friends and family. A feel good treat.