Synopses & Reviews
When it comes to movie reviews, critic Violet Epps is a powerhouse voice. But that's only because shes learned to channel her literary hero Dorothy Parker, the most celebrated and scathing wit of the twentieth century. If only Violet could summon that kind of strength in her personal life.
Violet visits the Algonquin Hotel in an attempt to find inspiration from the hallowed dining room where Dorothy Parker and so many other famous writers of the 1920s traded barbs, but she gets more than she bargained for when Parker's feisty spirit rematerializes. An irreverent ghost with problems of her own including a refusal to cross over to the afterlife Mrs. Parker helps Violet face her fears, becoming in turn mentor and tormentor
and ultimately, friend.
Review
"Magical fun.” Booklist
Review
“[Meister] reveals the pathos behind the pith, and she instructs readers about the enduring legacy of a writer who produced not just ‘scathing reviews, clever jokes, quotable poetry, and insightful short stories but also championed social causes. Classic Parker zingers sprinkled throughout the novel add sparkle.” Washington Post
Review
"Meister honors Dorothy Parker, her still-fresh political convictions, and her body of witty, insightful work in this very nice literary romp....Parker was the perfect New Yorker: sharp, witty and eminently quotable. And it is clear that Meister had a lot of responsible fun paying tribute to her." Bookreporter
Review
"Meister skillfully translates the rapier-like wit of the Algonquin Round Table to modern-day New York...[with] pathos, nuanced characters, plenty of rapid-fire one-liners, and a heart-rending denouement." Publishers Weekly
Review
"This funny yet tender homage...resurrects the iconic wit of the literary legend....Breezy and engaging...complete with Parkeresque banter." Library Journal
About the Author
Ellen Meister is the author of The Other Life, The Smart One, and Secret Confessions of the Applewood PTA. She teaches creative writing at Hofstra University School of Continuing Education and runs an online group where she mentors aspiring women authors.