Dorothy Parker was a real person of 1920’s fame, but this is not historical fiction, per se.  It is more about Norah Wolfe who works for TV talk show, Simon Janey Live.  The company is failing and if they don’t soon secure a phenomenal interview with someone ultra-famous, the show will be cancelled.  When Norah was thirteen, she’d read Dobson’s Night by famous author, Ted Shriver.  The story resonated so much with her, she became obsessed with him.  But several years ago, he seemed to drop off the face of the earth after a scathing accusation of plagiarism.  She now knows he’s hiding out in a room at the Algonquin Hotel.  She also knows he’s gone there to die as a brain tumor ravages his mind.  She knows … OK, she’s hoping … that if she could get five minutes of his time, she could convince him to come forward in an interview.

It’s at this historic hotel Norah meets Dorothy (Dotty) Parker.  At first Norah thought the hotel had hired ‘look-alikes’ to dress and act like the famous authors who’d signed the commemorative guest book.  Those authors were dubbed ‘The Algonquin Round Table’.  They used to lunch together frequently at The Algonquin during their day.  Slowly, it begins to dawn on Norah that this is THE Dorothy Parker.  Parker refuses to go to the light.  She can remain in bodily form as long as the guest book remains open.  Dorothy knows Ted and if she can get him to sign the guest book, he can keep her company after he dies.  Everyone else has chosen to ‘cross over’.  Dorothy conspires with Norah – her version of ‘I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine’.  Can they both get what they want?

Author Ellen Meister does a great job of carrying forth the wisecracks and classic witticism that would likely have come from Dorothy Parker’s mouth.  It’s also a very moving and emotional story that I didn’t quite expect.  I loved the cameo appearances made by Tallulah Bankhead, Lillian Hellman, Groucho Marx, and even Dotty’s poodle, Cliché.  Just when you think you’ve got the story figured out, there’s a tender little twist that ‘ups the ante’ for the reader.  This is Meister’s second Dorothy Parker book, the first beingFarewell Dorothy Parker.  It’s a fun, almost magical, journey into ‘what if’.  Rating: 4 out of 5.

It isn't necessary to read Meister's first Dorothy Parker book (Farewell, Dorothy Parker) before this. In fact, you might want to read this one first because A) it's kind of a prequel, and B) it's better.

The ghost of Dorothy Parker manages to disarm the world-weariest of people this time around with her droll and calculating personality. Similar to the first story, her presence helps connect people with problems to resolve (in this case, a dying writer making one last stab at forgiveness toward people he wrong), but not without an ulterior, personal motive. I liked the first book, but things fall better into place with Dorothy Parker Drank Here - the interludes where Mrs. Parker encounters friends as they gradually pass on were a nice touch.

Meister's previous novel, Farewell, Dorothy Parker, was an enjoyable though fairly predictable but well-executed tale with characters I appreciated. While I intended to track down more by Meister, I hadn't yet. One thing I didn't expect was to see a sequel -- there was really nothing in the it to make me think one was forthcoming -- or necessary. So I didn't read this with any great sense of anticipation, mostly just hoping that it wouldn't be worse than Farewell.

Well, it wasn't worse -- it was actually better.

Ted Shriver is a -- was a -- literary star. A novelist of a stature and fame that every MFA student dreams of -- until plagiarism scandal a few decades ago ruined that career and turned him into a recluse. He's currently residing in the Algonquin Hotel, which is where the same hotel that the ghost of Dorothy Parker is spending as much of eternity as she can. Enter Norah Wolfe, a young producer about to be out of a job when the talk show she works for is going to be canceled. She's got this crazy idea, though -- if she can get her hero, Shriver, to come on the show and be interviewed for the first time since the scandal, she just might be able to keep the show on the air. And a certain ghost decides to join the cause, as soon as she convinces Norah that she's really there.

I know, outlandish, right? An appearance by a novelist is going to save a TV show --puh-leez. (the ghost tied to a guest book is completely believable by comparison).

I do think (but haven't compared the two in order to examine), that this time, Dorothy Parker isn't as much fun -- either in antics or dialogue. But she's more flawed, more regretful over the past, more self-reliant, lonelier. -- basically, she's a more well-rounded character reflecting a lot of the less snarky, less quotable Parker. Shriver was believable (and a self-pitying jerk), I think the story could've used more time with him as an active character, not just the person everyone is reacting to (even when he's nowhere to be seen). Norah is our Point of View character -- she's likable, driven, damaged (in a pretty obvious way), and it's not long before you're wanting things to work out for her. There are a few other notable characters -- and a few that are little more than one dimension, but on the whole you are left with the impression that they could easily be more than that.

I did wonder at the lack of any mention of the events of the previous novel or its protagonist, even in passing. Which means you can read these independently of each other, or in whatever order you wish.

This wasn't a perfect novel -- there was one subplot that was largely unnecessary and a little annoying (but in the end, Meister used it effectively, but she could've found another way to achieve the same ends). Other than that, compared to its predecessor, I thought the characters were more complex, the emotional stakes were richer, and the book was about more than just the pretty straight-forward plot. A pleasant read, give it a shot.

I discovered Dorothy Parker in college via Carrie Fisher, who claimed her as an influence. I've read the Portable Dorothy Parker and Marion Meade's bio, both of which I recommend in a heartbeat. I liked Meister's The Other Life, too, so this seemed like a slam dunk.

I liked this story, but I feel it falls short of lovelovelove. This is the story of a writer named Violet who deftly skewers with movie reviews but in real life is a marshmallow. Through some comedic bungling at the Algonquin she comes into possession of a guestbook tied to Mrs. Parker's ghost, who becomes a confident and mentor. It sounds like an awesome fantasy, and as much as Violet admires Mrs. Parker she seems reluctant to follow the woman's forthright advice throughout the book. Without spoiling the entire story, I'll just say that Mrs. Parker seems to benefit another character more.

I wanted to flip over this, and while I liked it I get the feeling Meister held back in her development of Mrs. Parker. Then again, she's always struck me as a very difficult type to pin down. Meister mentions in the acknowledgements that the plethora of Jane Austen-character books inspired her to write a Mrs. Parker novel because there are few, if any. I wonder if the reason it hadn't been done until was because nobody felt certain how to get the character done correctly.

I've had this in my TBR forever, and I am glad to have read it - in time for the second book. If anything, too, I'm inspired to re-read my Portable Dorothy Parker

By:  Ellen Meister

ASIN: B008ON45LA

Publisher:  Berkley

Publication Date:  2/23/2013 

Format: Paperback 

My Rating: 4 Stars 

Farewell, Dorothy Parker (#1) by talented Ellen Meisterbrings back to life the ghost, quick witted literary icon, Dorothy Parker with movie critic Violet Epps, setting the stage for tantalizing, upcoming, Dorothy Parker Drank Here, (#2),coming, Feb 24, 2015.

A fan of both the author, and Dorothy Parker, Meister creates a sassy fun book about Violet, a movie critic with all sorts of issues; her boyfriend and battling for custody of her recently orphaned niece Delaney. The girl’s grandparents want to raise her and have hired a lawyer to fight. She needs some backbone.

Of course, Dorothy Parker her literary icon, enters when Violet sees the famous guestbook at the Algonquin Hotel. The hotel’s owner collected signatures (spirits) when they passed and there is magic. Dorothy’s spirit helps her by taking over to be the strong one and handle her challenges!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Angela Brazil delivering a winning performance. As I have mentioned, in other reviews, I have recently discovered the talented author, Ellen Meister which writes across many genres, encouraging you to want to read all her books.

Would highly recommend her upcoming Dorothy Parker Drank Here (#2) to continue the mischief with Dorothy, and you have to read The Other Book , a mesmerizing and spellbinding novel -- an exploration of a young woman, a mother--of parallel universes, past and present, a crossroad, a pivotal choice, and a glimpse of the other life, what could have been? Read them all.

Fans of Dorothy Parker, literary fiction, iconic spirits, and wicked humor will appreciate the clever tribute. Love the new glamorous cover!

The acid-tongued Dorothy Parker is back and haunting the halls of the Algonquin with her piercing wit, audacious voice, and unexpectedly tender wisdom.

Coming Feb 24, 2015 
DOROTHY PARKER DRANK HERE (#2)