Customer Reviews

Dreamhouse

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Celia Small, the prissy Alice-wannabe protagonist, dreams only of her upcoming wedding which she has planned to every neurotic detail. However, events unfolding around her engagement dinner party explode in her face and backfire most miserably.

She shares a house with freaky, free-spirited roommates: Cath, in particular, has baked up a batch of sinfully psycho-tropic jam tarts and is also hosting THE ultimate dress-up theme party- WONDERLAND.

Celia, distressed at the failure of her dinner, escapes to the kitchen and is lured into Cath's world of jam tarts and altered reality. As Celia breaks through barriers by breaking her staid rules of living, she discovers a life worth living, all her own.

Allison Habens tells this "Alice" tale in a fresh, immediate perspective, at times as poetic as Carroll himself albeit not quite as convoluted. The plot, however, does turn as much as a turnstile, but always stylishly and with plenty of character description and dialogue to back it up.

With witty insights into modern, if fanciful relationships, "Dreamhouse" makes for a wonderful find...over tarts and tea...

I was recommended this book by a friend and, being a fan of both Alice in Wonderland and the pastiche form, I ordered it. I have to say that I'm delighted that I did. The novel had so much to chew on, yet was so fast-moving that I devoured the entire thing in one night.

Some users have complained about the novel's "alternative" content, but the fact is that drug use, the transvestism, feminism, etc contribute a perfect structure to the novel's themes of transformation, surreality, and maturation. This is Alice for grownups, and I'm utterly smitten.

I'd love to give this book 5 stars, but the ending kills it for me. (no spoilers here, rest assured)

The story is beautifully crafted; Habens is so creative with her wordplay. It's rare to find a writer with such a tight grasp on double entendre; her wordplay is as entertaining as her plotline.

This might not be the best book for people who are strongly opposed to drug use, alternative lifestyles, and roleplaying parties; it takes an open mind to appreciate this novel. Being a fan of Lewis Carroll's work helps immensely; Habens' take on the classic is clever and amusing.

But for me, the ending fell short. It's in keeping with the surreal tone of the story, and it does not ruin the book...but it could've been handled better. Habens did such an incredible job with the entire story, yet the last 5 pages or so feel like a cop-out...I was more than a bit disappointed. All in all, though, a fun read.

This book was a fantastic fantasy versus reality with a twist of human nature and womens liberation. I recomend this book for any woman in need of a smile and a little self confidance. Or if you just want a fun read.

I didn't think I'd like the book at first, as Celia seems to be a rather boring character. But as the night progresses, she becomes more interesting the situation arround her becomes more surreal. Some scenes towards the end of the book were so funny, I laughed out loud. Celia makes an interesting progression of character through an odd turn of events. The references to Alice in Wonderland bring a familiarity to the novel.

A very charming and witty first novel, and I agree with the previous review. Within the subgenre of humorous English novels about modern romance, this book certainly shines above the rest. Recommended, especially for the sort of person who enjoys watching Ally McBeal.

This book is smart, funny read this is it, especially if you enjoy Alice & Wonderland. Considering this is Ms. Habens first novel is even more impressing.

Dreamhouse by Alison Habens was one of the weirdest novels I have ever read. The book caught my attention because I thought I would be able to relate to the main character (Celia Small) by the way she dreams about what her engagement party would be like and how she had been planning the event since she was little. But as I got further into the book I found out that things did not go as planned because half of the people that surrounded Celia were "high" (on drugs), including her! I do not do drugs nor do I enjoy reading about people who do, but if that is your cup of tea then this is your book. As a novel I give Dreamhouse three stars, but I do not recommend it to anyone.

I read this book about five years ago and loved it - lent to some one and lost it. And now I've found it at Amason I can have a copy of my own again. Such a fabulous cavalcade of events takes Atwood's edible woman and turns even her upside down.