Customer Reviews

Pug Hill

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

In Alison Pace's charming second novel PUG HILL, Metropolitan Museum of Art conservationist Hope McNeill is an endearingly neurotic basket case. She has a squash-playing boyfriend who she's not happy with, a coworker she's in (unrequited) love with, and a fear of public speaking, which suddenly becomes an issue when her parents call and ask her to give a speech for their 40th anniversary.

Hope is like no other character in women's fiction. She loves the Zoloft commercial on TV and find comfort in its animated bouncing egg. Her narration is a constant stream of dead-on observations about dating and human nature that will make every reader smile broadly and nod in agreement at least once every few pages. And her main source of solace in Manhattan is Pug Hill, a grassy hill on Central Park's east side around 74th Street, where pugs from all over the city convene. No, Hope doesn't have a pug herself, but she finds peace, happiness and relaxation in watching the pugs romp and spin around without a care in the world.

"For Holly Golightly, there was always Tiffany's," Hope says in the book's opening paragraph. "No matter what was going wrong in her life, she always had Tiffany's. For me, there's always Pug Hill."

But even Pug Hill can't provide the solace Hope craves when she breaks up with the squash-playing Evan and decides to finally face her fear of public speaking by signing up for a course called Overcoming Presentation Anxiety, which meets on Thursday nights for the next six weeks. Her classmates are wacky (and one is even a cute guy!), and with the help of frequent visits to Pug Hill and a few embarrassments in class, Hope begins to discover a faith in herself that she never knew she had. Admirably, Pace doesn't make the class a cure-all, and Hope is still mired in many of her old insecurities, but watching her grow is refreshing. Readers will find themselves cheering Hope on as she attempts to work through her doubts and fears.

Pace, the author of IF ANDY WARHOL HAD A GIRLFRIEND (one of my favorite books!), has written an incredibly insightful book that is more about self-confidence, family struggles, dating and the issues that confront us all than it is about Hope herself or the specific obstacles she has to face. She has a uniquely singular writing style, and the inner voice that she gives Hope will resonate with anyone who has ever dealt with any sort of insecurity.

"I'd like to think that the book has something to say about facing your fears, learning to believe in yourself, and not giving up even when you'd like to," Pace says. "I do think many of us have fears that get in the way of our development. And Hope, for as closed off as she can be, really does go after facing her fears."

The ending, too, is perfectly written, surprising and satisfying.

This book is a must-read. Holly Golightly may have had Tiffany's, and Hope McNeill may have had her place in Central Park where the pugs roam. But for me, when I need to feel a little comforted, I'll always have Alison Pace's PUG HILL.

Also recommended: If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend (Alison Pace), Milkrun (Sarah Mlynowski), Killer Summer (Lynda Curnyn), The Breakup Club (Melissa Senate) and How to Sleep With a Movie Star (by me . . . Kristin Harmel)

Alison Pace is clearly a very talented writer. The way she draws you in from the first pages of Puf HIll is wonderful. Not only is this book laugh-out-loud funny, it is witty, thoughtful, and sweet. Pace spins an engaging and immensely enjoyable narrative which I really identified with personally. This book is pure joy. I highly recommend a visit to Pug Hill!

Pug Hill is the smart and sweet story of one woman's search for happiness (and fearlessness) in the big city. You'll cheer for the witty and loveable Hope McNeill from page one. But be warned: not only will this book make you want to immediately buy Alison Pace's other work, you'll probably want to run out and adopt a pug.

I picked this book up not only because I'm a dog lover, but because I loved Alison Pace's first book, IF ANDY WARHOL HAD A GIRLFRIEND. I was not disappointed! Same smart, funny writing and a lovable protagonist that I rooted for all the way through. Great read.

I don't have words to express how much I LOVED Pug Hill!

Not only is this book a fun, hilarious read, but the author really captured the essence of big city life -- for both people and pugs!

As a New Yorker myself, I completely identified with Hope McNeil's (the heroine) hopes, fears, and insecurities. And I totally appreciated her wit -- it had me laughing aloud! I was also laughing aloud at the spot-on description of the pugs in the book. As a pug owner, I'm accustomed to all the little tricks pugs pull to get their way, and Alison Pace has captured those 100%.

I cheered Hope McNeil on through the entirety of this book, I laughed at her snide New Yorker quips and her hilarious turn in public speaking class, and I cried when she made realizations about life, love and family that we all need to make in our own lives.

The bottom line is that Pace has done something that few authors can do: She's written a book that's both entertaining and insightful. A book that makes you both laugh at your life and appreciate your life at the same time.

(And of course the pugs are adorable!)

Great chick lit!! I love chick lit and I love dogs and this book fit the bill! Nice, fast paced story. It's not all about pugs, as I thought it would be from the cover and the title (that's ok, because my heart is for dachshunds, anyway!), but pugs are involved in the story as well as other dogs and there's a good human story there as well!! It's a nice story, it's not ALL about dogs, but it will make you want to hug your pup when you are done reading it. Enjoy!

Alison Pace's debut, IF ANDY WARHOL HAD A GIRLFRIEND, is one of my favorite novels. So I was very excited to read her follow up, PUG HILL.

Hope McNeil is a 31 year old art restorer for the Metropolitian Museum of Art. She has an unrequited crush on Elliot, a fellow restorer, who sadly doesn't seem to know she exists except as a co-worker. Her boyfriend looks good on paper but is somewhat lacking in person. Worst of all, her parents want her to give a speech at their fortieth anniversary party, and nothing fills Hope with more dread.

The one thing in Hope's life that constantly gives her joy is Pug Hill, a section of Central Park where pug owners can let their dogs roam free. Hope doesn't have a pet, but Pug Hill is her refuge, her place of recharge. But even Pug Hill lets her down when she skips out of work one afternoon to discover no dogs are around.

Hope finally takes charge of her life, a little, by signing up for a class in overcoming presentation anxiety at the New School. Together with her fellow classmates, Hope works on overcoming her crippling fear of public speaking while also learning unexpected insights about herself and her new acquaintances.

PUG HILL is a quiet novel. Hope is very introspective, a reactive and passive character, and the first half of the novel drags a little. But Pace's clever way with words keeps the reader interested, and the pace picks up once Hope enrolls in class. By the end, I was thoroughly charmed and rooting for Hope, so much so that I bought the fairy tale-esque ending hook, line and sinker.

I'll admit it, I wanted to read this book because my canine nephew and niece are pugs, and I've heard about this breed's special meeting place in Central Park. What I got when I did read it was a whole lot more. Hope McNeill's personal growth and change made this a story to remember, and her visits to her favorite place in Manhattan to watch pugs is just a small part of her journey to a better life.

Alison Pace captures aspects of living in the New York City area well. She totally nails the camaraderie of a New School class that only runs the length of the course. She also describes a Long Island Rail Road train trip--which I read while I was riding on the Long Island Rail Road!--accurately, and has one of the loveliest paragraphs I've ever read about Long Island. I love how she described taking the scenic Route 25A in Cold Spring Harbor and Huntington, a route I've taken many times.

And that ending...I walked off that LIRR train with tears streaming down my face. Fantastic.

Pug Hill is joyful, lovable and memorable, just like the breed of dog that visits in that enchanted place in Central Park.

Unfortunately, I am not a big dog lover but you don't have to be one to enjoy Pug Hill. Hope Mcneil is 30, single, in a bad relationship, has an unrequited love, and a fear of public speaking. To make matters worse, her parents have asked her to give a speech at their anniversary party and as a result she signs up for a class on overcoming presentation anxiety. To help her cope with all these issues Hope has Pug Hill, an area of Central Park where pug dogs run and play.
It's cute and a little predictable but I did find myself laughing out loud in unexpected places. I recommend this book if you're in the mood for something light and easy to read.

I couldn't have loved Alison Pace's first book, If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend, anymore than I did so I was a bit nervous to see how her second book turned out. It was fabulous! Like the first, this book literally made me laugh out loud many times while still being smart and well written. I identified with so many of the main character's insecuries and fears and loved reading about her relationship with her family. Kudos to the author for not letting me down! Can't wait for Book #3!