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A review by chelton
Dorothy Parker Drank Here by Ellen Meister
3.0
Note: I received an advanced reading copy of this book through Goodreads First Reads.
When I won this book, I didn't realize that it was a sequel. I just saw Dorothy Parker's ghost and put in for it. Fortunately, not reading the first book did not inhibit my reading experience whatsoever. This book could be a perfectly fine standalone.
It was cute. Really cute. I love the premise. Dorothy Parker's ghost is hanging around the Algonquin Hotel, desperately seeking a dead soul to pass the time with. Meanwhile, she gets mixed up with a TV producer, Norah, who is trying to book a guest (reclusive author Ted Shriver) that might give a boost in the ratings to save her talk show. It's fast and fun.
That noted, I had a few issues. The tension never seemed high enough. I wasn't worried about the show, so I never cared if Shriver appeared on it. And Shriver is such a horrid little man that the big twist in the middle left me shrugging.
The book also has some interesting chapters that are dedicated to a few of the dead that passed through the Algonquin on the way to the other side. These left me torn. They're quick and like an extended inside joke, but almost entirely unnecessary.
I was disappointed with a passage dealing with a cross dresser. I don't think it was Meister's intention to be offensive, but it just rubbed me as being very off.
As to Dorothy Parker ... She had an acidic wit that I adore. At times Meister was able to channel that through her own version of the woman, but there are moments when it lands flat.
Above all, though, this remained a fun, outrageous read. The flash speed of its pacing allowed me to finish it in one sitting, and the zaniness of the situation kept me entertained throughout.
When I won this book, I didn't realize that it was a sequel. I just saw Dorothy Parker's ghost and put in for it. Fortunately, not reading the first book did not inhibit my reading experience whatsoever. This book could be a perfectly fine standalone.
It was cute. Really cute. I love the premise. Dorothy Parker's ghost is hanging around the Algonquin Hotel, desperately seeking a dead soul to pass the time with. Meanwhile, she gets mixed up with a TV producer, Norah, who is trying to book a guest (reclusive author Ted Shriver) that might give a boost in the ratings to save her talk show. It's fast and fun.
That noted, I had a few issues. The tension never seemed high enough. I wasn't worried about the show, so I never cared if Shriver appeared on it. And Shriver is such a horrid little man that the big twist in the middle left me shrugging.
The book also has some interesting chapters that are dedicated to a few of the dead that passed through the Algonquin on the way to the other side. These left me torn. They're quick and like an extended inside joke, but almost entirely unnecessary.
I was disappointed with a passage dealing with a cross dresser. I don't think it was Meister's intention to be offensive, but it just rubbed me as being very off.
As to Dorothy Parker ... She had an acidic wit that I adore. At times Meister was able to channel that through her own version of the woman, but there are moments when it lands flat.
Above all, though, this remained a fun, outrageous read. The flash speed of its pacing allowed me to finish it in one sitting, and the zaniness of the situation kept me entertained throughout.