The Pursuit of Alice Thrift

by ElinorLipman (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2003

  $3.42

  The stunning new novel from Elinor Lipman, the sparkling comic writer praised by Maggie O'Farrell as 'Hilarious. Imagine, if you can, a cross between Philip Roth and Melissa Bank.' Alice Thrift graduated second in her class at Harvard Medical School and dreams of becoming a plastic surgeon to help the injured in the third world. Unfortunately, despite ace grades, she has no people skills and the world's worst bedside manner. Surviving on no sleep and no social life, it is only a matter of time before she makes a mistake that could cost her her career. She turns to her charming room mate, Leo, for advice until Ray, a smooth-talking fudge salesman, walks into her life and tries to turn it upside down. With Lipman's unmatched ear for dialogue and terrific pace, this is a seriously good comedy which puts so-called romance under the microscope.

• Used

  Paperback
  2009

  $4.06

  The stunning new novel from a sparkling comic writer who is on the brink of stardom.

  Poor Alice Thrift: book-smart but people-hopeless. Alice graduated second in her class at medical school, but hospital life is proving quite a challenge. Evaluations describe her performance as 'workmanlike' and her people skills as 'hypothermic'. Luckily, Alice's roommate Leo, the most popular nurse at the hospital, and her feisty neighbour Sylvie, take on the task of guiding Alice through the narrow straits of her own no-rapport zone.

  When Ray Russo, a social-climbing fudge salesman, dedicates himself to a romantic pursuit, Leo and Sylvie harbour serious doubts. Yet as the chase intensifies, Alice's bedside manner begins to thaw. Can this dubious character be the one to lift Alice out of the depths of her social ineptitude? Written with bite, pace and effortless wit, this seriously funny novel puts romance under the microscope with hilarious consequences.