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applegnreads's review against another edition
3.0
kinda funny. made me want to read dorothy parker a little bit.
caralee22's review against another edition
I actually didn't finish this, so I'm not going to rate it. My ratings are mood influenced and arbitrary anyway. I'll say this... my dog puked on it and I wasn't sad. Sigh. I really thought I'd like it more than I did. Because Dorothy Parker. Much better just to read Marion Meade's wonderful biography of her. If you like chick lit (and I'm not disparaging it), you might enjoy it.
redentrapy's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I won this in a goodreads enter to win!
The characters: Violet Epps is a movie critic with a bite so to speak....at least on paper. Violet has a hard time sticking up for herself in the real world because of a past childhood trauma where her older sister Ivy had bullied and manipulated her into being of afraid of her own wit. Violet's problem with not being able to speak her mind has put some strain on her custody case for her niece Delaney who had just lost both of her parents in a car accident and her grandparents are trying to get custody of her. Violet gets help and courage from the most unlikely of places....her idol Dorothy Parker who has been dead for decades and has problems of her own....including a massive penchant for mischief and drinking a shit ton. Dorothy causes many problems throughout the story but she teaches Violet how to speak up for herself and Violet teaches Dorothy how to love herself.
I loved the relationship with Dorothy and Violet they both helped the other grow and by who they were meant to be....even though one is dead. Delaney is a smart, charming teenager and I really enjoyed the family dynamic in this. In this story family is not perfect far from it but they all manage to love each other even with their flaws.
This is a story about self-esteem and finding oneself in hard times. I loved the dry jokes and witty banter.
Overall a good book. Recommended for those who like books about finding strength in hard times and likes a little dry humor.
The characters: Violet Epps is a movie critic with a bite so to speak....at least on paper. Violet has a hard time sticking up for herself in the real world because of a past childhood trauma where her older sister Ivy had bullied and manipulated her into being of afraid of her own wit. Violet's problem with not being able to speak her mind has put some strain on her custody case for her niece Delaney who had just lost both of her parents in a car accident and her grandparents are trying to get custody of her. Violet gets help and courage from the most unlikely of places....her idol Dorothy Parker who has been dead for decades and has problems of her own....including a massive penchant for mischief and drinking a shit ton. Dorothy causes many problems throughout the story but she teaches Violet how to speak up for herself and Violet teaches Dorothy how to love herself.
I loved the relationship with Dorothy and Violet they both helped the other grow and by who they were meant to be....even though one is dead. Delaney is a smart, charming teenager and I really enjoyed the family dynamic in this. In this story family is not perfect far from it but they all manage to love each other even with their flaws.
This is a story about self-esteem and finding oneself in hard times. I loved the dry jokes and witty banter.
Overall a good book. Recommended for those who like books about finding strength in hard times and likes a little dry humor.
vtb's review against another edition
1.0
Redundant. Repeated topics too often. Need a lot of editing. The dog may have been named Cliche but that sums up the book.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Farewell, Dorothy Parker (#1) by talented Ellen Meister brings back to life the ghost, quick witted literary icon, Dorothy Parker with movie critic Violet Epps, setting the stage for tantalizing, upcoming, Dorothy Parker Drank Here, (#2), coming, Feb 24, 2015.
A fan of both the author and Dorothy Parker, Meister creates a sassy fun book about Violet, a movie critic with all sorts of issues; her boyfriend and battling for custody of her recently orphaned niece Delaney. The girl’s grandparents want to raise her and have hired a lawyer to fight. She needs some backbone.
Of course, Dorothy Parker her literary icon enters when Violet sees the famous guestbook at the Algonquin Hotel. The hotel’s owner collected signatures (spirits) when they passed and there is magic. Dorothy’s spirit helps her by taking over to be the strong one and handle her challenges!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angela Brazil delivering a winning performance. As I have mentioned, in other reviews, I have recently discovered the talented author, Ellen Meister which writes across many genres, encouraging you to want to read all her books.
Would highly recommend her upcoming Dorothy Parker Drank Here (#2) to continue the mischief with Dorothy, and you have to read The Other Book , a mesmerizing and spellbinding novel -- an exploration of a young woman, a mother--of parallel universes, past and present, a crossroad, a pivotal choice, and a glimpse of the other life, what could have been? Read them all.
Fans of Dorothy Parker, literary fiction, iconic spirits, and wicked humor will appreciate the clever tribute. Love the new glamorous cover!
JDCMustReadBooks
A fan of both the author and Dorothy Parker, Meister creates a sassy fun book about Violet, a movie critic with all sorts of issues; her boyfriend and battling for custody of her recently orphaned niece Delaney. The girl’s grandparents want to raise her and have hired a lawyer to fight. She needs some backbone.
Of course, Dorothy Parker her literary icon enters when Violet sees the famous guestbook at the Algonquin Hotel. The hotel’s owner collected signatures (spirits) when they passed and there is magic. Dorothy’s spirit helps her by taking over to be the strong one and handle her challenges!
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angela Brazil delivering a winning performance. As I have mentioned, in other reviews, I have recently discovered the talented author, Ellen Meister which writes across many genres, encouraging you to want to read all her books.
Would highly recommend her upcoming Dorothy Parker Drank Here (#2) to continue the mischief with Dorothy, and you have to read The Other Book , a mesmerizing and spellbinding novel -- an exploration of a young woman, a mother--of parallel universes, past and present, a crossroad, a pivotal choice, and a glimpse of the other life, what could have been? Read them all.
Fans of Dorothy Parker, literary fiction, iconic spirits, and wicked humor will appreciate the clever tribute. Love the new glamorous cover!
JDCMustReadBooks
jennutley's review against another edition
3.0
A few years ago, if there was a lull at work, we’d break out my Portable Dorothy Parker and read a few verses. So while I have not read all of what Mrs. Parker had to say, I can claim to be a fan. I wanted to read this novel just to see how the author would handle her voice. I wouldn’t have wanted to try to imitate her voice in a novel. That takes guts. And she did pretty well.
I did like this novel. The plot is in line with other chick lit titles. The romance and story line contained no surprises. Perhaps what sets this one apart is the relationships between the women in the book—the sisters, the friends, the aunt/neice, the coworkers. Those relationships were the shining star and reason enough to give the book a try. And maybe it will inspire you to read a bit of Mrs. Parker’s own words.
I did like this novel. The plot is in line with other chick lit titles. The romance and story line contained no surprises. Perhaps what sets this one apart is the relationships between the women in the book—the sisters, the friends, the aunt/neice, the coworkers. Those relationships were the shining star and reason enough to give the book a try. And maybe it will inspire you to read a bit of Mrs. Parker’s own words.
gilmoreguide's review against another edition
4.0
Have you ever played the history game where you can choose points in history you’d like to visit? For me, the era of the Algonquin Table in Manhattan is one such time. Men of great wit and intelligence drinking cocktails and being dominated by one of the greatest wits of all: Dorothy Parker. Given that choice, finding Ellen Meister’s novel, Farewell, Dorothy Parker was an early Christmas present.
Violet Epps is a movie critic whose writing is as sharp and honest as her personality is meek and mild. She struggles mightily to break off a relationship with a narcissistic moocher who main incentive is free rent. It is only when she meets him at the Algonquin Hotel and the manager brings over the guest book for her to sign that she encounters the woman who’s going to give her the spine she’s never had. It is as Violet runs her finger over the famous signature that she first encounters the spirit of Dorothy Parker, who has been locked within the book, thanks to a spell cast by the hotel’s original manager. Apparently she is desperately bored and ready for a drink and when she responds to Violet’s touch over her name she breaks free, entering Violet and getting her to dash out of the hotel with the book.
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2013/12/farewell-dorothy-parker/
Violet Epps is a movie critic whose writing is as sharp and honest as her personality is meek and mild. She struggles mightily to break off a relationship with a narcissistic moocher who main incentive is free rent. It is only when she meets him at the Algonquin Hotel and the manager brings over the guest book for her to sign that she encounters the woman who’s going to give her the spine she’s never had. It is as Violet runs her finger over the famous signature that she first encounters the spirit of Dorothy Parker, who has been locked within the book, thanks to a spell cast by the hotel’s original manager. Apparently she is desperately bored and ready for a drink and when she responds to Violet’s touch over her name she breaks free, entering Violet and getting her to dash out of the hotel with the book.
The rest of this review is available at The Gilmore Guide to Books: http://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/2013/12/farewell-dorothy-parker/
paige1947_'s review against another edition
3.0
Being a big fan of Dorothy Parker I wanted to read this one- I was a bit disappointed !
kittykornerlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Very pleased to see a book featuring Dorothy Parker as a character... she sounds and behaves just about as you would expect her to. She's very well drawn. The magical realism works well. One of my issues with this may be personal; I don't subscribe to the idea that outspoken equals happy. Also, I thought the ending was somewhat maudlin. I still want to read the newer book by this author.
dfmaiwat's review against another edition
3.0
The premise is squandered a bit with having Dorothy serve as Violet’s guide to love and work and I would’ve liked further development on how her whole existence actually works. I’ve also never been found of the “protagonist-finds-their-voice” narrative. But I still like Violet and want things to work out for her so hey, that must count for something.