Stupid and Contagious [Paperback]

Caprice Crane (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2006

In this hilarious, romantic comedy, two twenty-something neighbors embark on a zany mission to meet the founder of Starbucks, and in doing so, find each other.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This funny duet pairs two New York City 20-something neighbors: Heaven Albright, whose reversal in fortunes transforms her from über-PR exec to bumbling waitress, and Brady Gilbert, an aspiring music producer with problems navigating the bright lights of the big city. The story of their personal and professional travails unfolds in alternating chapters, appealingly narrated by zany Heaven and wry Brady. The two meet-cute downstairs at the deli, and even if the novel's arc is familiar (it's instantly obvious that Heaven and Brady's initial distaste for each other can never last), Crane's giddy, playful prose feels fresh. When Heaven inevitably gets fired from the restaurant, she joins Brady on a trip to Seattle, where he hopes for a face-to-face meeting with Starbucks founder Howard Schultz to pitch him an idea for Cinnamilk (the flavor left after you've eaten cinnamon cereal). The adventures that play out from New York to Seattle as the two pursue their idealistic dreams prove so much fun that a touch of predictability hardly matters. TV writer Crane heavily spices her debut with pop culture references from the '80s to the present day and keeps the story moving with snappy dialogue, a combo likely to entertain legions of (gum-popping) readers. (May 12)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

With this winning romantic comedy, former MTV head writer Crane delivers a first novel reminiscent of Laura Zigman's best-selling Animal Husbandry (1997). The story is told in alternating chapters by 29-year-old indie record producer Brady, who could have stepped right out of a Nick Hornby novel, and 26-year-old PR maven turned surly waitress Heaven, a veritable modern-day Lucille Ball. The two meet when they become neighbors, and Heaven keeps receiving Brady's mail, which she promptly opens and reads. But irritation soon turns into attraction as the two eventually take a wacky road trip to Seattle, where Brady waxes enthusiastic about signing a young band and attempts to land a meeting with the founder of Starbucks about his idea for a new drink. Crane makes light comedy, usually so difficult to create and sustain, look effortless. Laden with references to cool bands and obsolete snack foods and full of witty repartee, this will elicit knowing smiles from MTV and pop--culture devotees. Joanne Wilkinson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: 5 Spot (May 1, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446695726
• ISBN-13: 978-0446695725
• Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 1.1 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (136 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #406,046 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Caprice Crane is the internationally bestselling author of four novels and a writer for both television and screen. Crane has written for the hit TV show 90210 (2.0) and Melrose Place (2.0). Crane won awards for both her debut novel, STUPID AND CONTAGIOUS, and her second novel, FORGET ABOUT IT. Her 3rd novel, FAMILY AFFAIR, received rave reviews and Crane's fourth novel, WITH A LITTLE LUCK, a romantic comedy that puts love, luck and superstitions to the test will hit stores on July 26, 2011. She divides her time between New York and L.A., depending on the mood of her dog, Max. Her website is: www.capricecrane.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Zany Characters in a Lighthearted Farce, May 10, 2006

By 

Monica Poling "OnceWritten.com" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Stupid and Contagious (Paperback)

Written in a he-said, she-said style, the novel opens with over-the-top Heaven lamenting the fact that her husband is cheating on her. Wait, her husband's not actually cheating, because she's only engaged, not married. She's just practicing for the future. But wait, she's not really engaged, just practicing that too.

Heaven's just been fired from her mega-PR-firm, new next door neighbor Brady has his own problems. He's trying to start his own independent music label, trying to get in touch with Starbuck's Howard Schultz to pitch "Cinnamilk," and he has to find a new place to live, because his psycho ex-girlfriend commandeered his rent-controlled apartment.

It is only around page 100, when Crane has finally established the "different-ness" of her characters, that she really finds her stride and settles into a story that is as enjoyable as it is familiar. After Heaven gets fired from the deli, she goes with Brady on a trip to Seattle. He's trying to score a one-on-one with Howard Schultz, and she wants to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the passing of Kurt Cobain.

It is here that the reader starts to take Brady seriously as a businessman, and when we start to see Heaven emerge from the bitter funk she's been in. It is also when we really begin to like these characters.

What really gives this novel it's refreshing flavor, is that the main character is not a fashionista, not even sporting the slightest shoe-obsession. Rather than search e-bay for name-brands, Heaven gets excited by receiving a can of "Tab."

The book also stands out from the fray with it's excellent music references-it's obvious that former MTV writer Crane knows her stuff. Even the groaner, when Brady's "knock knock knocking on Heaven's door," works in the context of his character.

Stick with the book. Once you get past it's somewhat over-the-top beginnings, you'll find this a very enjoyable read, one that doesn't sound like every other book on the chick-lit shelf.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Smart and Addicting, May 1, 2006

By 

Stefan L. Blitz (Providence, RI United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stupid and Contagious (Paperback)

I'm not one for the atypical "Chick Lit", and despite the cover and the possible premise, this book was anything but. Smart and funny with two characters that I actually wanted to be friends with, "Stupid and Contagious" is a fast-paced, charming and thoroughly entertaining read. Highly recommended!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dude such a funny book!!, March 30, 2009

By 

Stephanie Crookham (Austin, Texas baby!) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stupid and Contagious (Paperback)

Dude if you want to get lost in a book and just laugh out loud this is the book for you!!! My friend let me borrow this book and I read it in two days cause I couldn't put it down it was sooo funny!!! I strive to be as funny as Heaven, she kills me!! But for real it's a great fun read so I definitely recommend it!!