Alice MacLeod: “Realist at Last”

[Adult / Teen]

Alice MacLeod has officially graduated from the ranks of the weirdly marginal into the realm of the practically normal. Except for the fact that it’s been one romantic setback after another and her family life has finally fallen apart, everything’s going just great for Alice this summer. Fortunately, these misfortunes are giving Alice plenty of material for the screenplay she’s writing (populated by Very Attractive People), which is going to make her rich, famous and fabulous.

With the family finances squeezed even tighter than normal, Alice is forced to score not one but three part-time jobs, none particularly well suited to her eclectic, but limited, range of talents. The jobs do, however, introduce her to an interesting range of older — and younger — potential new romantic interests. Battling the big questions of sex, self-doubt, and how to deal with reality when fantasy is so much more fun, Alice is a girl for our times.

PRAISE FOR ALICE MACLEOD: REALIST AT LAST

The Toronto Star
“My favorite girl-in-high-school read for this summer is British Columbian Susan Juby’s third Alice book, Alice MacLeod: Realist at Last. Juby is hilarious, a salubrious mixture of warm heart and satire. What’s rare about her Alice trilogy is the critical analysis that sneaks into them via Alice’s ingeniousness – not just via Alice’s chosen role as ‘cultural critic’ but also via Juby’s sharp eye for the hypocritical and ridiculous. Excellent fare.”

Today’s Parent
“Teens can indulge in one last delightful novel before summer ends and they’re back into ‘prescribed reading’. I prescribe Alice Macleod, Realist at Last (moms might want to read it when their daughters are done — it’s truly hilarious and a vivid reminder of teen thinking)… Alice is funny, emotionally real and a perfect end-of summer treat.”

Booklist
“deliciously dark humor; one of the best parts is the ongoing screenplay Alice constructs with herself as star. Yes, Alice is annoyingly self-absorbed, but she’s also very aware of it, and her dead funny voice makes her even more sympathetic.”

School Library Journal
“Alice is an individual who will keep readers laughing.”

Horn Book
“Fans of the series won’t be disappointed.”