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47th out of 186 books
—
276 voters
Pug Hill
by
Alison Pace (Goodreads Author)
For Holly Golightly, there was always Tiffany’s. For me, there’s always Pug Hill. For as long as I’ve lived in New York, whenever I’ve just wanted to think, or relax, or be happy, or even sad, my destination of choice has been, without fail, Pug Hill.
For Hope McNeill, pugs are love, unconditional friendship, happiness, and freedom—all qualities currently in short supply...more
Paperback, 320 pages
Published
May 2nd 2006
by Berkley Trade
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Jul 13, 2008
Rebecca
rated it
2 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Dog lovers and neurotics
Recommended to Rebecca by:
Pugs
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
I forced myself to read this to the end of Chapter 1, in desperate hope that I had not wasted $7.99 of my hard-earned money. First, I discovered that this book is written in present tense, a style I despise. Still, if the story and characters are good, I can forget my distaste of present tense as I become absorbed in the story. No such luck here. The characters and dialogue are insipid, the story just plain silly. Hope is horrified because her dad has asked her to make a 40th anniversary speech...more
I had heard about this book but only recently purchased a copy to read. Silly me, as this was a delightfully, heart touching journey through the eyes of a young, well educated, woman in her early 30's.
The story spans the period of a few months prior her parent's fortieth wedding Anniversary, for which Hope McNeill, the youngest daughter, is asked to 'give a speech.' The issue is that Hope has a fear that approaches a terror...public speaking. It began in 10th grade English class and has blossom...more
The story spans the period of a few months prior her parent's fortieth wedding Anniversary, for which Hope McNeill, the youngest daughter, is asked to 'give a speech.' The issue is that Hope has a fear that approaches a terror...public speaking. It began in 10th grade English class and has blossom...more
In May, I read A Pug's Tale by Alison Pace and adored it. Recently, I was given the opportunity to see where the story all began when I received a copy of Pug Hill (now available in paperback) for review.
With a relationship that makes her unhappy and a crush on an unavailable co-worker that makes her feel silly, Hope McNeill doesn't have the best luck in the romance department. Her apartment is too small to get the dog she wants. And though she works the coolest job -- she restores paintings at...more
With a relationship that makes her unhappy and a crush on an unavailable co-worker that makes her feel silly, Hope McNeill doesn't have the best luck in the romance department. Her apartment is too small to get the dog she wants. And though she works the coolest job -- she restores paintings at...more
I thought this book would be a good "light" diversionary read form some nonfiction books I've been reading. Little did I suspect that some of what was in those books would turn up in this! I've been trying to build a practice of meditation and mindfulness, and at least two of the techniques for restorative breathing show up in Pug Hill as relaxation techniques, taught in Hope's public speaking class! Synchronicity, huh? Anyhow, the novel, which true to my original thoughts, was of the lighter va...more
For the most part, Pug Hill was a pretty decent book. Yes, I would classify it under “chick lit” but any negative connotations to the term aside, Pug Hill was a lot of fun. When the book opens up, Hope, the main character, is in the middle of a personal crisis. She has just recieved the news that her parents are expecting her to give a speech at their huge anniversary party…and her boyfriend is sadly failing in the boyfriend department. We aren’t sure how Hope is going to cope with life, but, by...more
A couple of years ago I read my first Alison Pace novel, City Dog. I really enjoyed it – it’s so rare to read a novel that’s almost exclusively about dogs. However that is Pace’s forte – if you’re looking for anyone who writes about dogs so well then Pace is your girl. And I’m saying that having only read two of her novels. So, high praise indeed. Pug Hill is one of Alison’s earlier novels but since it’s a) coming out in November in mass-market paperback and b) it had a sequel released earlier t...more
Pug Hill follows Hope McNeil through the intensely relatable trials and tribulations of her life as a paintings restorer at the Met, as a newly-single singleton, as a girl struggling for confidence in a sometimes all-too-confident world and as the only person to regularly visit Central Park’s Pug Hill without, unfortunately, a pug of her own. Hope declares that Pug Hill, the hotbed of all pug adventures in the city, is to her what Tiffany's is to Holly Golightly. It’s her happy, blissful place w...more
I am a dog/cat/animal lover and the first thing that drew me to this book was the cover. It looked like a fun book to read. I liked this book, but wouldn't go so far as to say it will become a classic. But it was a very good light read. I was looking for a cute quirky, light read, and found this was the book for me.
I thought it was going to be a book all about pugs, it wasn't, but the love of pugs shines through, making it a charming story that goes into nice detail about the way dogs of all kin...more
I thought it was going to be a book all about pugs, it wasn't, but the love of pugs shines through, making it a charming story that goes into nice detail about the way dogs of all kin...more
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. While I can't say it's the best piece of literature I've ever read, it was highly entertaining. I received this book as a gift from a friend of mine. When I first read the cover, I thought, "Oh, no." It looked like it would be either A) a book form "chic flick", or B) a silly book about dogs. I was pleasantly surprised that neither was true.
Okay, I give that this is a book that probably appeals more to dog people than those who aren't so fond of man's best friend....more
Okay, I give that this is a book that probably appeals more to dog people than those who aren't so fond of man's best friend....more
I got this book on my birthday for the sole reason that I love pugs. I was fine to let the book sit on my shelf and look cute. However, I did end up reading it, and it's quite charming. The breakdown: it's about an art restorer with a crazy family, an unreciprocated crush for her co-worker, a love of pugs, and anxiety over public speaking. Some of the side characters are well written (the other students in her public speaking class, for example) and those parts were fun to read. And of course, t...more
For Holly Golightly, there was always Tiffany’s. For me, there’s always Pug Hill. For as long as I’ve lived in New York, whenever I’ve just wanted to think, or relax, or be happy, or even sad, my destination of choice has been, without fail, Pug Hill. For Hope McNeill, pugs are love, unconditional friendship, happiness, and freedom—all qualities currently in short supply in her own life. She’s also short on time and apartment space, and for those reasons she doesn’t have a pug of her own. But s...more
I read this book at least four years ago. I bought it on a whim because of the title and the horribly photoshopped pugs on the cover. I thought I could get through the chick-lit writing and enjoy a silly story about a girl who wants a pug.
Ultimately I could finish it, but it was excruciating. Even pugs couldn't get me through this. I love a pug (and sometimes I was absolutely in agreement with the protagonist on some life issues), but it was just very...meh. I would have liked some more depth. J...more
Ultimately I could finish it, but it was excruciating. Even pugs couldn't get me through this. I love a pug (and sometimes I was absolutely in agreement with the protagonist on some life issues), but it was just very...meh. I would have liked some more depth. J...more
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Even as Holly Golightly's special place was Tiffany's, Hope McNeill's is definitely Pug Hill.
Before we get very far into this story, we learn how much Hope loves pugs—and the pugs that congregate on their own special place in Central Park.
Hope is an art restorer at the Met...in New York, of course; she is also a thirty-something single who is in a not-very-satisfying relationship with Evan at the beginning of this story. We also learn early on that Hope's older sister Darcy is the "pretty one,"...more
Before we get very far into this story, we learn how much Hope loves pugs—and the pugs that congregate on their own special place in Central Park.
Hope is an art restorer at the Met...in New York, of course; she is also a thirty-something single who is in a not-very-satisfying relationship with Evan at the beginning of this story. We also learn early on that Hope's older sister Darcy is the "pretty one,"...more
If only life were as simple as a bench in Central Park surrounded by the most adorable dogs on earth. At least that’s what Hope McNeill wishes for, a life with no cares except which of her favorite pugs will make an appearance at Pug Hill. When she’s there her troubles slip from her mind with ease; no worrying about a lingering relationship that just doesn’t seem to be working, no pesky crush on a co-worker and most importantly no speech to give at her parents upcoming anniversary party. Through...more
Sep 07, 2010
Headacheslayer
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
pug lovers, women, chick-lit lovers
Recommended to Headacheslayer by:
my love for pugs
I, like the main character of "Pug Hill" not only adore pugs, but want one for my own. I will own one someday, hopefully soon, but until then, I found myself living vicariously though Alison Pace's humorous romance.
Told by Hope McAlister, she is faced with a terror-inducing task--giving a speech at her parents' 40th anniversary party. Her life has been shaped by her fear of public speaking so although she hesitantly agrees, her world is thrown upsidedown. The remedy--a class for overcoming speec...more
Told by Hope McAlister, she is faced with a terror-inducing task--giving a speech at her parents' 40th anniversary party. Her life has been shaped by her fear of public speaking so although she hesitantly agrees, her world is thrown upsidedown. The remedy--a class for overcoming speec...more
My across-the-street neighbors had a bunch of pugs when I was a kid. They were the sweetest, nicest dogs. Because of them, I have a soft spot for pugs. I had to therefore give Pug Hill by Alison Pace a read.
By all accounts, I should have enjoyed Pug Hill. It takes place in New York City, it has pugs, heroine Hope McNeil works as an art restorer and yet none of these individually entertaining elements is enough to carry the story.
Hope McNeil's parents are coming up on their 40th wedding anniversa...more
By all accounts, I should have enjoyed Pug Hill. It takes place in New York City, it has pugs, heroine Hope McNeil works as an art restorer and yet none of these individually entertaining elements is enough to carry the story.
Hope McNeil's parents are coming up on their 40th wedding anniversa...more
I'll admit, I was excited to receive this book from fellow myspace user, Alison Pace..I'm an animal nut, so any book with a bunch of pugs on the cover will get my attention right off the bat.
That being said, this book got my attention and kept it the entire way through. I adored it. The novel centers around Hope McNeil, a young single woman in NYC who has a lot of fears in life including public speaking. Throughout the novel, we watch Hope grow as a person and slowly find the courage to face her...more
That being said, this book got my attention and kept it the entire way through. I adored it. The novel centers around Hope McNeil, a young single woman in NYC who has a lot of fears in life including public speaking. Throughout the novel, we watch Hope grow as a person and slowly find the courage to face her...more
I wish we could give half-stars here - I'd really like to give this 3.5 stars. But I'm rounding up, giving the benefit of the doubt. This is a pretty standard chick lit novel, with a cute angle about the heroine's love of dogs (pugs in particular). She's infatuated with a co-worker who's unavailable, she and her boyfriend break up, she's terrified of public speaking but just promised to give a speech at her parents' 40th wedding anniversary party, her sister gets all of the attention, etc. Nothi...more
I am completely enamored with this novel. An avid pug owner and lover, I spotted this book at Target. The cover alone displays a cityscape with tons of pugs congregating atop a hill. I knew that I just had to have it!
Although, Hope uses Pug hill in New York City as a reprieve from her daily life, Pugs do not really take the center stage in this novel. Instead, Hope takes the center stage with her boyfriend dramas, fear of public speaking, and general angst at finding a suitable life partner.
I re...more
The plot: Hope, a 31 year old paintings restorer working at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, has a love of pugs, a fear of public speaking, and a fear that she will never find true (human) love. Not much to it, really. This was a fluffy read. Interesting enough to keep me reading, but not much in the end. I think what I liked best about it was that there was a corgi in it, who really behaved like a real corgi. I love corgis the way Hope loves pugs. Should I write a novel?
It took me about chapter 16 to get into it AT ALL. Up until then I was debating whether to bother finishing it at all or just grab another book, and even then it still wasn't one that I found terrible interesting. The only chapters I really liked were the last few - probably about chapter 18/19 until the end. And no, not because the book was ending. She just got a lot less mopey and depressing, and didn't whine quite as much. And I thought the end chapter was cute.
Cute chick-lit about a paintings-conservator at the Met who goes to Central Park to watch the pugs on Pug Hill when she's upset -- which is a lot, since she's incredibly neurotic. She's terrified of public speaking, but she has to make a speech at her parents' upcoming 40th-anniversary party, so she decides to take a class at the New School to overcome her fears. Very readable (though there were some egregious typos), and especially nice for its love of dogs.
This book wasn't awesome, but it wasn't terrible. And if you really love dogs, are scared of public speaking, and/or have a thing for Rothkos, you might think it was amazing. I like Rothkos and think pugs are adorable, but not enough to balance out this book. The writing was fine but not remarkable, and the characters reminded me of real humans, but in a superficial way. Your time is probably better spent elsewhere.
I read the first 1/3 of the book and after getting no where in the stream of conscience, bad sentence structure and weird punctuation I skipped to the end. Thankfully (obviously) it seems the character grew up a bit and may find happiness. I wanted to like the book but the way it was written just got to be too much. I would recommend it to those who enjoy reading what is more like the internal conversations etc that rattle around in our brains and to those who have the patience to wait and read...more
FIRST IMPRESSIONS:
Well...I read 46 pages. And then I set the book down for about a week. I finally picked it up again, and it has been a chore just to get through it. I now have about 50 pages left and I just want to quit reading. I'm glad I'll be done with it soon at the very least. Unfortunately, I'm just finding this book incredibly boring! I don't really like the MC, and there is absolutely no plot. It's not written poorly or anything, but I don't see how this book would appeal to anyone.
Well...I read 46 pages. And then I set the book down for about a week. I finally picked it up again, and it has been a chore just to get through it. I now have about 50 pages left and I just want to quit reading. I'm glad I'll be done with it soon at the very least. Unfortunately, I'm just finding this book incredibly boring! I don't really like the MC, and there is absolutely no plot. It's not written poorly or anything, but I don't see how this book would appeal to anyone.
I might change the stars later, but having read A Pugs Tale first, I wanted MORE PUGS! Without them the story gets a little dramatic and Pace's forte is the humorous contrast of the excellent Pug descriptions!
However I see why people like it. Maybe I'll reread it one day when I'm not expecting it to be a totally different book…
However I see why people like it. Maybe I'll reread it one day when I'm not expecting it to be a totally different book…
This was a decent romp through a young woman's struggles with boyfriends and public speaking. I liked that it came full circle, and I liked that the pugs on pug hill pulled it all together. Interesting chapter titles, decent character development, some humor, and a satisfactory ending.
Aug 01, 2011
Carol Johnson
added it
I really enjoyed this book. It was a quick read but very well written. The author has a sharp, smart sense of humor. I'm a dog lover so the pugs only added to the enjoyment of the story for me. I definitely recommend it and hope to read more by this talented author.
It was a good read as a light book one can carry and not place when stopping and starting. I wish there was a little more development in the person of Hope and especially at the end. How did she change? Did any of this effect her love for the Zoloft egg?
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I'm the author of the novels If Andy Warhol Had a Girlfriend, Pug Hill, Through Thick and Thin, City Dog and A Pug's Tale . My essays have been included in several anthologies including Everything I Needed to Know About Being a Girl I Learned from Judy Blume, and Howl: A Collection of the Best Contemporary Dog Wit.
My memoir, You Tell Your Dog First, just came out.
I live in New York City where I te...more
More about Alison Pace...
My memoir, You Tell Your Dog First, just came out.
I live in New York City where I te...more
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