The Pursuit of Alice Thrift: Summary and book reviews of The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman, plus links to an excerpt from The Pursuit of Alice Thrift and a biography of Elinor Lipman.

Meet poor Alice Thrift, surgical intern in a Boston hospital, high of I.Q. but low in social graces. She doesn't mean to be acerbic, clinical, or painfully precise, but where was she the day they taught Bedside Manner 101? Into Alice's workaholic and romantically challenged life comes Ray Russo, a purveyor of fairground fudge, in need of rhinoplasty and well-heeled companionship, not necessarily in that order. Is he a con man or a sincere suitor? Good guy or bad? His well-engineered cruise into carnal waters introduces Alice to a new and baffling concept, chemistry—and not of the organic kind. Is it possible for a woman of science to cure her own loneliness in the unsuitable arms of a parental nightmare? Luckily, Leo Frawley, R.N., who has a high threshold for Alice's left-footed people skills, and Sylvie Schwartz, M.D., fellow resident and woman of the world, take on the task of guiding Alice through the narrow straits of her own no-rapport zone. "Almost nobody writes serious entertainment with more panache," said the Chicago Tribune of Elinor Lipman. Now comes the novel Publishers Weekly is calling "surely her best to date...a triumph...a book you can't put down." The Pursuit of Alice Thrift showcases a rare and generous talent at the top of her witty, irresistible form.

Media Reviews

Publishers Weekly Snappy wit, a clever plot and the sheer fun of a book you can't put down await readers.   Kirkus Reviews Popular for sprightly if predictable romantic comedies, Lipman stretches her boundaries in her newest by letting readers know early on that her lovers will not end up happily every after-at least not together.....A clever sweet tart, more tart that sweet.   Library Journal At first, Alice comes off as an unsympathetic character, but the more she tries to deal with the world as a detached, clinical observer (and the more she fails), the more sympathetic she becomes.   Booklist - Neal Wyatt Whimsical, heartwarming, and engaging...allow Lipman to do her magic, and the results are as expected--funny, pitch perfect, and utterly charming. Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls About the best trick any writer can possess is the ability to make everything look easy, even to other writers who know better. Elinor Lipman possesses this gift in spades, and The Pursuit of Alice Thrift treats head, heart, and funny bone with equal respect. Tom Perrotta, author of Election The Pursuit of Alice Thrift isn't just beautifully written and bustling with memorable characters and rich in wisdom about the human heart—it's also hilarious and full of surprises. Elinor Lipman is a masterful novelist working at the top of her game. Anita Shreve, author of The Pilot's Wife Elinor Lipman writes with perfect pitch. I started to underline all the bits of Alice Thrift that either amazed or tickled me, but I finally had to quit there were simply too many. Wally Lamb, author of She's Come Undone In this, the age of bogus Joe Millionaires and Barbie Doll bachelorettes, Elinor Lipman's The Pursuit of Alice Thrift dares to pose the question Can the frumpy physician find happiness with the unctuous fudgemonger? The answer is, in equal measures, heartfelt and hilarious. Let Joe and Barbie live happily ever after. Lipman writes for the rumpled rest of us. I love this book. Stacy Schiff, author of Véra This is Elinor Lipman's best novel yet, which I do realize is like saying that Krispy Kreme has finally manufactured an addictive donut. Carol Shields, author of The Stone Diaries Elinor Lipman's latest novel brings together the rare combination of intelligence, wit, and wisdom. The Pursuit of Alice Thrift is a jewel of a book.

Recent Reader Reviews

Rated of 5 by Wallace from Unputdownables.net
The Pursuit of Alice Thrift by Elinor Lipman
Type: Weekend Read: a book to curl up on the couch with
Rating: I’m Lovin’ It: Very entertaining!

Reasons to Read It:
You are a fan of Elinor Lipman (this will not disappoint)
You enjoy subtle humor
Fleshed out...   Read More

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