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Caney Paxton wanted his cafe to have the biggest and brightest sign in Eastern Oklahoma-the "opening soon" part was supposed to be just a removable, painted notice. But a fateful misunderstanding gave Vietnam vet Caney the flashiest joke in the entire state. Twelve years later, the once-busy highway is dead and the sign is as worn as Caney, who hasn't ventured outside the diner since it opened. Then one blustery December day, a thirtyish Crow woman blows in with a three-legged dog in her arms and a long-buried secret on her mind. Hiring on as a carhop, Vena Takes Horse is soon shaking up business, the locals, and Caney's heart...as she teaches them all about generosity of spirit, love, and the possibility of promise-just like the sign says.… (more)
This book is full of quirky characters. The Honk and Holler Opening Soon is a restaurant in Oklahoma that is run by a man in a wheelchair. It is often not very busy until a young woman hops out of her ride and says she will work for tips as a carhop. The owner reluctantly agrees. Then a young Vietnamese man who can barely speak or understand English shows up looking for work. This crew, plus Molly O, who keeps things running smoothly round out the employees. As the patronage of the restaurant grows the reader becomes acquainted with some of the strange people of the town. This book captures the mom and pop diners of the past. Each of the main characters seem to be looking for something or missing something in their life. Follow their strories as each person has their dreams come true. ( )
this might wrap things up on an overly high note for most of the characters, but maybe sometimes that's what is best for the story. i really enjoyed this and thought the writing was great, the characters were relatable, the story matters. the end was a little too much but up until then i thought it was great. i fell into this immediately and only really started to come out of it near the end when it maybe started to be a little much for me. but i so enjoyed being in this town with these people, in this cafe.
a really representative example of the writing i loved: "Molly O hadn't missed a day of work at the Honk since she'd found her fourteen-year-old daughter naked in the backseat of a car with a drummer in a band called Hard Drivin'." ( )
I wasn't sure I was going to like this book but after I got a few pages in I got hooked. I loved Caney the main character. For some reason it became more interesting once I learned he was in a wheel chair. Maybe because it was something different. I kind of hoped Sam would turn out better but it worked that he didn't. The only major thing I felt was missing was a scene where Caney found out about his son. I felt a bit gipped that I didn't get to see that. ( )
This was really good about teaching about not judging a person by their skin color or what they look like. There are a few adult situational comments, so wasn't sure if i would finish it, but was glad i did. ( )
What a fun, quirky read. Loved all of the characters, especially Caney and Vena. Vena knows how to make business happen and she knows how to make life happen. Lots of humor in this story. The regulars at the Honk and Holler are a great addition to the story as well. ( )
For Holly Wantuch who soared beyond our reach...but left us grounded in her light and joy
First words
Caney switched on the light over his bed and reached for the last of last night's coffee...one cold oily swallow at the bottom of a chipped stoneware mug.
Quotations
Last words
They danced, this man and this woman, whirling and spinning together on one magical Christmas night in the Honk and Holler Opening Soon.
Caney Paxton wanted his cafe to have the biggest and brightest sign in Eastern Oklahoma-the "opening soon" part was supposed to be just a removable, painted notice. But a fateful misunderstanding gave Vietnam vet Caney the flashiest joke in the entire state. Twelve years later, the once-busy highway is dead and the sign is as worn as Caney, who hasn't ventured outside the diner since it opened. Then one blustery December day, a thirtyish Crow woman blows in with a three-legged dog in her arms and a long-buried secret on her mind. Hiring on as a carhop, Vena Takes Horse is soon shaking up business, the locals, and Caney's heart...as she teaches them all about generosity of spirit, love, and the possibility of promise-just like the sign says.
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Book description
The neon sign had seemed appropriate when the Honk and Holler Opening Soon was being built. But twelve years later, the once-busy highway outside Sequoyah, Oklahoma, is little-traveled, and "opening soon" is a tired joke. Today the sign is as battered and beaten as the cafe and its owner, Caney Paxton, a Vietnam War veteran who hasn't ventured outside since its opening.
The characters who drift in and out of the Honk don't change much: Molly O, a four-times married earth mother who recognizes a wounded spirit when she meets one; Life Halstead, a widower who eats three meals a day in the cafe so he can be near Molly O; Hooks Red Eagle, Soldier Starr, and Quinton Roach, Cherokee veterans of World War II; and Bilbo and Peg Porter--Bilbo steadily puffing his smokes while Peg struggles for breath through her oxygen mask.
With Christmas only days away, their lives are to be forever changed with the arrival of Vena Takes Horse, a Crow woman on a quest, and Bui Khanh, a Vietnamese refugee looking for home.
A story that crackles and sizzles like burgers on a red-hot grill, The Honk and Holler Opening Soon captures a small town's prejudice and tolerance, violence and big-heartedness. It convinces us that dark clouds can really have silver linings. And it leaves us hungry for more writing from Billie Letts and the Oklahoma she portrays with so much vitality and love.
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