Customer Reviews

Catching Alice

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

Alice begins as many young British ladies in this currently popular genre of books do - she is broke, her job is at a dead-end, her love life is swirling down the drain .. well, you get the picture. But where "Catching Alice" takes a different path is that this heroine takes the opportunity to move to Los Angeles under the wing of her old American schoolfriend who has a good heart but is one of life's shallower creatures. Alice lands herself a pretty good job in PR (the Californians can't resist the British accent) and so begins her new life in la-la-land. This books contains lots of characters and plot lines and is really quite a lot of fun. Its a quick, light-hearted read, doesn't pretend to be anything greater and takes an amusing look at what happens when people are transplanted to a new culture and environment. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Alice Lewis is going through some bad times. The former English secretary lost her job due to a merger, is evicted from her apartment, and finally dumped by her boyfriend. Some of her friends have allowed Alice to sleep on their sofas. Her best friend Tash learns of Alice's predicament and insists her pal join her in Los Angeles where she will find her a job and become roommates. A depressed Alice meekly agrees, but from the time she deplanes at LAX, she feels like a visitor from another planet.

Tash obtains a high profile publicist job for Alice, who surprises herself by being quite good at it. Alice goes out on a date with a man into S&M, learns how to be a California Girl, and picks up a stalker. Patrick Wilde first saw Alice in England and was very attracted to her then and has followed her to the States. His behavior towards Alice leaves Patrick uncomfortable because he always gets the girl, but she proves elusive. They must clear up several misunderstandings if they are to have a warm relationship together.

Clare Naylor has a delightful sense of humor that she imbues in her characters, who land in situations that leave readers wondering whether to gasp or laugh. The entire cast is well drawn so that the audience understands each one of the key players. CATCHING ALICE includes high drama, low humor, and raunchy romance that will make Ms. Naylor a name in the States.

Harriet Klausner

Alice is having a horrible week! That is, until her American friend, Tash, invites her to L.A. Tash is beautiful, bold, and sophisticated. Of course, she's also tan and blonde. Alice is a pale, frumpy, shy British chick having a hard time adjusting to Tash's Californian lifestyle. Soon, Tash has Alice enrolled in kickboxing classes, drinking nasty, "nutritious" herbal drinks, and attending cocktail parties with Hollywood's most glamourous. Even though Alice doesn't fit in with her new surroundings, there are quite a few guys noticing her. Alice manages to make a few jealous female enemies during her stay. Read this book to find out what's so great about Alice! I'll just say that she's a very likeable heroine, brilliantly invented by Clare Naylor. This book has everything--romance, comedy, female bonding, and even a dangerous little subplot involving Alice's cousin, Simon. This is a very entertaining, light read!

Clare Naylor has a way with really charming books. I was a huge fan of her first book "Love: A User's Guide" and greatly anticipated her newest work, "Catching Alice". I found it very easy to get into, and well worth my time. I read it in a few lunch hours and was greedy to finish up this little gem.

Her carefree style is refreshing and very charming. I love this modern romance with twists and turns. I loved the characters and found it really easy on the romantic heart. I think you'll love it, if you're just out for a fun and harmless time.

How can a book be snappy but dull? Easy. The writing is great stylistically. The first few lines had me hooked, which is why I bought it. But the characters aren't even slightly believable and have nothing on their mind but getting a man. Not one thing rings true. And the research is extra sloppy--e.g., the Beverly Center is positioned on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, about 3 or 4 miles from its actual location. This is as disappointing as the second Bridget Jones book. And we're supposed to think it's funny when a date keeps the heroine handcuffed to a chair all night? And she continues to date him afterwards? I couldn't finish it. Recommended only for the seriously romantically desperate.

A witty, amusing look at life in Celebrity Central. Alice's life in Los Angeles is both enviable and sexy. And the plot carries you away on a wave of flowers, stalkers, crazy parties and deranged, colorful characters worthy of a movie. A sideways look at LA culture and a sweet romance to boot. With a heroine you cheer for from the get go. A modern fairytale with a twist.

I read this book in one evening, and I was not terribly impressed. I realize that it does not claim to be great literature, but I think the characters could have had a little more dimension than they did. I also wonder if the author has ever really been to LA, because the LA I know is not just movie stars and Armani suits. The prospect of this girl just landing at a PR agency and getting some of the biggest stars immediately is totally preposterous. But, if you are looking for a light, fluffy read when you don't want to think too hard, this book is for you.

A huge fan of the British "chick lit" scene, I ordered this book for a lark. Unfortunately, I've become accustomed to sharp wit and believable characters and I found this book to be a disappointment. The protagonist, Alice, is flat and boring, with very little growth throughout the book despite suddenly realizing she can fit into her roommate's clothing (what is it about "fat" girls in these books suddenly finding they're skinny overnight?).
The author may be successful with her other books, but "Catching Alice" read like a first-rate hack -- her descriptions of Los Angeles and San Diego were both uninspired and unresearched. They ranged from describing the drive south from LA as the clogged streets of the city giving way to a meandering coastal drive (trust one who does it often -- this is not the case), to naming one of the Santa Monica hangouts "Omlette Parlor" (Americans don't use the extra "te" -- ever.) to the completely ridiculous assertion that the news was predicting an earthquake!!!!
What's more, the writing style can only be described as spastic, as Naylor jumps point of view from character to character without warning and, more often than not, without cause. Suddenly in the middle of a paragraph the reader is inside the head of someone else, seeing Alice through their eyes, when a simple first-person or third-person account through Alice's eyes would have been quite enough. To top it off, the dialog is uninspired (and Americans' speech is clogged with "Brit-isms"), the plot is slow, and the transitions leave much to be desired. Wit is used sparingly and possibly hilarious situations are all but ignored.
If you care about craft, plot, character, or accuracy at all, pass this one by in favor of Bridget Jones or the Shopaholic.

First book by the Auther that I have read and I am pretty let down. I'm going to give another one by her a try though because this one had potentional.

I wanted it to be better, but finally settled for the humor and quirky story that it is. What you get is a pretty ordinary London girl escaping to L.A. with her old school chum running interference for her. As Alice blunders through Hollywood seeking solace after a lost boyfriend, she encounters and comments on California oddities from the British viewpoint.
Her misunderstandings of the west coast way of life is entertaining. At times, the British slang descriptions or ways of thinking that the average American doesn't recognize hampers the story.
Somewhat funny, somewhat romantic, not very realistic, but generally fun to read for chick lit fans. I'll try more Naylor books, but eagerly await more Kinsella's which I prefer.