Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying, ' she ...
354627
Alice laughed. 'There's no use trying,' she said. 'One can't believe impossible things.'

'I daresay you haven't had much practice,' said the Queen. 'When I was your age, I always did it for half-an-hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast. There goes the shawl again!' 

-- Lewis Carroll, "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"
2512979
Life can be a challenge, but when we find out a whole lot of people are going through the same things we are experiencing, but doing it with laughter it makes everything easier. Why not laugh through it all? Why not find the funny in things that could keep us under the bed? Thank you Anne for helping me laugh through one more day....Great book!!
2235425
I've read some reviews where the reviewer didn't like Alice Thrift.  I could not understand.  I thought Alice, a first year surgical resident at a Boston hospital, was the most amusing character I've read in a long time.  She's so gauche, so left-footed, so lacking in any social skills that I just had to love her.  And witnessing her metamorphosis, with the help of her former roommate and her neighbor, was a pure delight.  I don't think she'll ever be the world's best conversationalist, but she certainly learned to hold her own throughout the story.

Elinor Lipman has written an extremely funny story about Alice Thrift, M.D.  She is pursued by the fast-talking Ray Russo and it's pretty obvious from the outset that Mr. Russo is a liar and a cheat.  But the story is so humorous and told so well, I just kept turning pages to see how Alice was going to get off probation at the hospital and how Ray Russo was going to get what was coming to him.  The ending of the story did not disappoint!  I've enjoyed all the books I've read by Elinor Lipman, but I think perhaps this was my favorite
2581968
An irreverent look at life in the 21st century for the Gods of Mount Olympus, whose power is waning because people no longer believe in them, and who --  since the advent of Christianity, an event that precipitated their decline -- have been living fairly quiet, uneventful, boring lives in London amongst the mortals. When a petty argument between sensuous and spiteful Aphrodite and her vain, impulsive nephew Apollo becomes a case of oneupmanship, two innocent mortals -- Alice and Neil -- are unwittingly pulled into the fray.

If you're familiar with the works of Douglas Adams or Terry Pratchett then you'll recognize their influences all over this story -- not to mention that of another Neil: Neil Gaiman, whose book American Gods is a deeper, darker version of this theme. And it's probably no coincidence that the character of Alice was named as such -- for she takes a journey that put this reader in mind of that other Alice's trip to Wonderland.

This is a fun, quick read -- especially for fans with a pre-existing love of Greek Mythology (like me). It's whimsical and silly, yet manages also to have moments of true poignancy. Highly recommended to anyone looking for some entertaining escapist fun.
3253814
Most of the many attempts at filming Alice In Wonderland haven't been particularly successful, for two reasons. First, directors seem to feel that the movie must have a strong male character. Lewis Carroll didn't give them one (all the male characters in the books are rather spineless and feeble) so they invent their own, usually, for some reason, the Mad Hatter. Second, they misread the character of Alice. In the book she is headstrong, inquisitive and feisty; she dominates the other characters even as she takes part in their fantastic world. She is not a spectator, watching what they do, but a full participant, accepting. or more often rejecting, their view of life. She's not, nor is she meant to be, a nice girl meekly accepting what befalls her.

Unfortunately, Tim Burton's 'Alice' falls into both these traps. Instead of being a passing character Alice meets along the way, the Mad Hatter becomes central to the film and in doing so destroys much of the point of the tale. Alice herself, though she has her moments of rebellion, is played far too passively; she's more often merely watching what goes on in  Wonderland. In making her character too detached, Burton loses the involvement that the audience should feel and which has made the books so successful for so long.

On the plus side, Wonderland itself is marvelously realized. I love the bright colors, the ever-more-convincing computer graphics and the strange flora and fauna which inhabit this suitably dream-like place. Everything looks as it's supposed to- distorted versions of reality, only possible in the imagination. The story meanders far from the original tales, but I have no problem with that, as long as it holds together. Tim Burton is the master at making a fantasy world come to life.

It's a fun movie to watch. It just doesn't make the audience feel involved.
4488265
Enjoyed it but what alice forgot is better..Will read more of her books. I would recommend this to a friend.
2012715
I loved this book. The only reason I gave it 4, rather than 5 stars, was because I felt that, at times, The author tried too hard, wrote too much, when she didn't need to do so. The book felt very long for what it was, but I did enjoy the story of Alice who wakes from a bump on the head thinking she is 29, in 1998 and that she is happily in love with her husband and not yet born baby. In reality, it is 2008, she is 39 and separated from her husband whom she can no longer stand, and vis versa. She remember nothing of the last 10 years, not even her own children. There are many laughs, but the book is deeper and more though provoking than most chick lit. There is a secondary story woven throughout, about Alice's sister, Elizabeth, who struggles with infertility. There are many wonderful characters who come in and out of the story, and Alice soon discovers that the woman she became during the lost 10 years, is not someone she likes!  I could see the book being made into a really good movie, the kind that would elicit both laughter and tears.
4279564
Light, amusing and laugh out loud funny. It describes a lifestyle ruled by competition to be recognized as the queen of disposable income.  Good for a fun escape from the stresses of everyday life. Lighten up and enjoy the ride.
2243303
I actually want to give this 5 stars for comedic effect, but don't want to deceive other buyers. My pillow arrived with Alice reading a spanish dictionary, not lines from the book. I found this so funny that I almost like it more because of it. But I can see how others might not think so, thus the 3 stars, lol!
4297750
Visited Alice at her blog where I read excerpts of her books - I love her style, sharp and witty. Miss Foster's Folly is extremely entertaining and light-hearted. Looking forward to future works from Alice.
4021974
Always a great comic relief.  Then there are those serious moments to ponder.
All in all, she shows you not to take yourself  so seriously ; )
3301401
I enjoyed this book immensely. While I've read plenty of books that entertain me, it's rare that I read one that makes me reconsider how I act around people, what I say about myself through my actions, and how I can choose to be a better person. I don't know how successful I'll be at trying out any of the things I've learned from this book, but I do know that I'd much rather live in a world where everyone tried them than the present one.

Humor-wise, the book gave me sensible chuckles throughout, and at least a few suppressed "laughs out loud" (I mostly read this in public transit).

I'm not a proper book critic so I'll stop this here.
1601419
Thank you for the laughter.  Anyone who has the ability to laugh out loud at themselves and their quirks is okay by me.  Thanks for sharing your humanness....is that a word?  I am not sure, but it should be.
829219
I enjoyed reading this book because it not only made me chuckle, but it encouraged me to work at bringing more joy to those around me.  It also showed how I could use humor to defuse an angry person or stressful situation.  Plus, Journey to the Center of the Mirth gives example of those who have killed the joy just by their actions and we have all experienced that condition.

There are no rules, about humor.  Humor is very individual and that is why when you repeat a funny joke it isn't funny.  Like everything else a sense of humor can be developed and practiced.  But most of us strive to bring laughter to others because laughter gives hope, even in times of trouble.  My favorite part of this book is, of course, the humorous sayings of children.  Their innocence and truthfulness is always refreshing.
4960085
I laughed aloud.  Witty, sweet, Never testy or rude, just a fun book.  I think it would be a great book to give to someone who is in bed for awhile and needs something to read that isn't stressful or requiring thought...just enjoyment.
3082417
I saw this book at Barnes & Nobles and thought it was funny. I like little books even if they aren't very practical. I am amused by the "don't buy this" comments from some reviewers. First of and foremost - all Witches are NOT wiccan. Witchcraft and wicca are NOT the same thing. Life is not all love and light and positive. Sometimes it's painful, seething anger, and  darkness. When you are reeling from a recent breakup or other emotional trauma, the IDEA of turning the ex into a toad is enough to put a smile on your face and put you back in the light. This is humor people - try some!
4622379
"All you need in the world is love and laughter. That's all anybody needs. To have love in one hand and laughter in the other." - August Wilson

Dark paranormals are not my cup of tea ... along comes Linda Wisdom to lighten up the genre!  Wisdom's photo on her publisher's website makes it clear that she is having fun and the reader will, too!  Wisdom delivered both the laughter and the love in A DEMON DOES IT BETTER.  The laughter is obvious - her paranormal characters are zany rather than scary.  They deliver one liners that offers comic relief to a greater evil looming - a missing witch who tried to heal those in paranormal hospital with an insane asylum.

Enter the heroine, Lili, who returns to San Francisco to work in the same hospital from where her friend disappeared.  As she reintroduces herself to friends in the community, she meets a sexy demon - the very same who is locked away in the asylum.  As the mystery deepens, so does the attraction as well as the laughs.  Wisdom effortlessly balances these different elements to draw the reader into the lives of these characters who want to laugh, love, and heal.  One can't help fall in love with Cleo - the Queen of the Nile reincarnated as a therapy cat - as she does what she pleases throughout the book.

A DEMON DOES IT BETTER made me feel at home in Wisdom's paranormal world.  Recommended read for those who enjoy lighthearted paranormals and laugh-out-loud storylines.

I reviewed an ARC from SOURCEBOOKS.