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230th out of 659 books
—
164 voters
Following Polly
by
Karen Bergreen (Goodreads Author)
Would you call Alice Teakle a stalker? Or just someone with an, um, healthy obsession with golden girl Polly Linley Dawson? No one much notices Alice: not her boss, not the neighbors, not even her Mother.
Besides, everyone follows Polly: her business selling high-end lingerie you can imagine only her elegant self wearing, her all-over-the-social-pages marriage to movie dire...more
Besides, everyone follows Polly: her business selling high-end lingerie you can imagine only her elegant self wearing, her all-over-the-social-pages marriage to movie dire...more
Hardcover, 320 pages
Published
June 22nd 2010
by St. Martin's Press
(first published June 15th 2010)
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Following Polly has many funny passages, including an humorous funny Manhattan party crashing scene that is up to the level of Woody Allen's New Yorker pieces. I thought Following Polly was merely going to be a breezy chick-lit diversion. However, it is a fine novel with an intriguing murder mystery and hilarious comic turns. It is chick lit with an unexpected emphasis on the "lit." What elevates Following Polly is its treatment of the down side of life in Manhattan, when it feels lonely and lov...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
WARNING: SPOILERS
Would you call Alice Teakle a stalker? Or just someone with an, um, healthy obsession with golden girl Polly Linley Dawson? No one much notices Alice: not her boss, not the neighbors, not even her Mother.
Besides, everyone follows Polly: her business selling high-end lingerie you can imagine only her elegant self wearing, her all-over-the-social-pages marriage to movie director Humphrey Dawson, her chic looks, her wardrobe. Alice just follows her a little more….closely.
And when s...more
Would you call Alice Teakle a stalker? Or just someone with an, um, healthy obsession with golden girl Polly Linley Dawson? No one much notices Alice: not her boss, not the neighbors, not even her Mother.
Besides, everyone follows Polly: her business selling high-end lingerie you can imagine only her elegant self wearing, her all-over-the-social-pages marriage to movie director Humphrey Dawson, her chic looks, her wardrobe. Alice just follows her a little more….closely.
And when s...more
It will come as no surprise, when you start reading this book, to know that the author is a stand-up comedian…it is THAT funny.
Mona Hawkins is the ultimate casting director in NYC. And this story all begins because a Director wants Mona to get the ‘it’ girl in Hollywood into his movie. This was a complete setup because the powerhouse actress wouldn’t do it, so Mona simply set up a fake casting call and then gave the job to a young ‘unknown.’ Then, after the ‘it’ girl became jealous, she jumped a...more
Mona Hawkins is the ultimate casting director in NYC. And this story all begins because a Director wants Mona to get the ‘it’ girl in Hollywood into his movie. This was a complete setup because the powerhouse actress wouldn’t do it, so Mona simply set up a fake casting call and then gave the job to a young ‘unknown.’ Then, after the ‘it’ girl became jealous, she jumped a...more
This book was a great summer read. I started it while on vacation and finished reading it in the car on the way home. Normally I can only read for a little while in the car, before I either get restless or a headache - but not with this book - I read it right through to the end of the book!
Alice has lost her job and is just sort of floating, not really sure where she wants to land, when she sees Polly Dawson. Polly is sort of her long-time nemesis from college - the one who always had everything...more
Alice has lost her job and is just sort of floating, not really sure where she wants to land, when she sees Polly Dawson. Polly is sort of her long-time nemesis from college - the one who always had everything...more
http://iwriteinbooks.wordpress.com/20...
Alice Teakle is your average Harvard graduate with a steel trap memory, an obsessive crush and no ambition. She’s single but she has friends to live vicariously through. She has a slightly hellish job as a casting agent until her good-natured honesty helps her career take a turn for the pits.
She also has a slightly odd hobby of following people around but it’s never really lead to anything sinister.
It’s never lead to anything sinister before Polly Dawson.
A...more
Alice Teakle is your average Harvard graduate with a steel trap memory, an obsessive crush and no ambition. She’s single but she has friends to live vicariously through. She has a slightly hellish job as a casting agent until her good-natured honesty helps her career take a turn for the pits.
She also has a slightly odd hobby of following people around but it’s never really lead to anything sinister.
It’s never lead to anything sinister before Polly Dawson.
A...more
http://www.mamasick.com/2010/10/revie...
Review and Contest for Following Polly
I read Following Polly as a member of the From Left to Write book club. I was given a free copy as part of the book club.
Most people enjoy a certain genre of books, such as non-fiction, popular fiction, or true crime. Before joining this book club, I was very into cozy mysteries. These are books that are usually pretty light to read and often are written in series where the main character always stays the same. They ar...more
Review and Contest for Following Polly
I read Following Polly as a member of the From Left to Write book club. I was given a free copy as part of the book club.
Most people enjoy a certain genre of books, such as non-fiction, popular fiction, or true crime. Before joining this book club, I was very into cozy mysteries. These are books that are usually pretty light to read and often are written in series where the main character always stays the same. They ar...more
I won this on Goodreads Firstreads.
The first 100pgs of this book were agony. Why? Because the main character, Alice, is this most demented person I have ever read about. So much so, that I barely made it through the book. After fifty pages, I was going to give up, but pushed through so I could write a review. The reason I find her so intolerable is because she STALKS everyone for no apparent reason. And then proceeds to justify her stalking. She stalks Polly, this rude girl she knew in college,...more
The first 100pgs of this book were agony. Why? Because the main character, Alice, is this most demented person I have ever read about. So much so, that I barely made it through the book. After fifty pages, I was going to give up, but pushed through so I could write a review. The reason I find her so intolerable is because she STALKS everyone for no apparent reason. And then proceeds to justify her stalking. She stalks Polly, this rude girl she knew in college,...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
It's been so long since I've wanted to give a Chick Lit five stars! If 'Following Polly' doesn't deserve the five stars, I don't know which one does!
Alice Teakle has issues. Sure, she's totally sane, but add a dysfunctional childhood to the picture, it's no surprise that she has developed a not-so-healthy obsession - Stalking.
Alice has recently lost her job for being honest and she's not worried. Probably because she's as fickle as they get but anyway, her mother sends her to therapy, hoping i...more
Alice Teakle has issues. Sure, she's totally sane, but add a dysfunctional childhood to the picture, it's no surprise that she has developed a not-so-healthy obsession - Stalking.
Alice has recently lost her job for being honest and she's not worried. Probably because she's as fickle as they get but anyway, her mother sends her to therapy, hoping i...more
1 like · like · see review
Would you say Alice Teakle is a stalker? or just someone with an unhealthy obsession with Polly Linley Dawson? No one really notices Alice: not her neighbors, her boss, not even her mother. But everyone notices golden girl Polly and everything about her elegant self. She,s married to movie director Humphrey Dawson. Everyone follows Polly from her high end business to her social life. Alice just follows her a little more ..... closely. One Autumn afternoon in Manhattan after Alice loses her job a...more
Karen Bergreen’s debut novel, Following Polly is a genre-defying joy to read, hilarious and original. Alice Teakle, adrift in her early thirties, after running through a series of doomed career choices, arrives at the end of the road when she is fired from her latest placeholder job and realizes that there is nothing on the horizon to replace it. Lacking even the illusion of a professional career or ambitions, she takes to stalking Polly Dawson, a former classmate from Harvard who has achieved e...more
I received an advanced reader's copy. This was an ok first book by the author. I liked the characters and the dialogue and the writing was snappy, witty and clever. I liked the idea of the story better than it played out, which dragged at multiple times for me. I would suggest one going into reading this book knowing you will need to suspend reality. There were times the plot and actions of the main character (especially at the beginning as it was escalating) took sudden turns that were complete...more
This book had some good points and some bad. I really didn't find the protagonist Alice completely believable but perhaps that's because I didn't completely understand her obsession and pathology.
Alice is a compulsive stalker, preferring to follow the object of her intention instead of interacting with them. She doesn't seem to be dangerous, or is she?
The main premise of the book has her Following Polly a fabulously successful designer who Alice originally met in college. When a sinister fate b...more
Alice is a compulsive stalker, preferring to follow the object of her intention instead of interacting with them. She doesn't seem to be dangerous, or is she?
The main premise of the book has her Following Polly a fabulously successful designer who Alice originally met in college. When a sinister fate b...more
To me, this was ultimately a love story, and a delightful, silly, schmaltzy one at that. Which is why I had so much fun and couldn't put it down - I'm a sucker when it comes to this stuff. But it's a good read, too, for New Yorkers who know the city inside and out, and love a celebration of the city. Bergreen knows this city, and her sweet, funny novel is perfectly set in the big apple. Bergreen adds touches from her past life as a law firm associate (she left the law to do stand up comedy!) tha...more
after several agonizing moments,I decided to give my own book five stars. I loved writing it!
2 likes · like · see review
I read Following Polly because of two simple reason - The main character is a stalker, and I saw this book on recommendation section in one of the chic lit books review blog. Then, there's that fact that my friends and I used to stalk people when we were a lot younger :)
Following Polly was a fun read! It was a mystery books laced with a little bit of romance and humor. It is definitely my genre. The book was interesting from page one and an absolutely page turner. I loved Karen Bergreen's style...more
Following Polly was a fun read! It was a mystery books laced with a little bit of romance and humor. It is definitely my genre. The book was interesting from page one and an absolutely page turner. I loved Karen Bergreen's style...more
I laughed... I cried... I fell in love with Alice Teakle!
In her debut novel, Karen Bergreen has created a wonderfully plucky heroine one can't help but fall in love with, Alice Teakle. Alice is a little bit everywoman. I mean that in the sense that there is much in Alice that we can all identify with. Alice isn't perfect... she has her flaws... doesn't always show good judgment and sometimes needs pointed out to her when her moral courage is lacking. Sound like anyone we know? Really? Stand in f...more
In her debut novel, Karen Bergreen has created a wonderfully plucky heroine one can't help but fall in love with, Alice Teakle. Alice is a little bit everywoman. I mean that in the sense that there is much in Alice that we can all identify with. Alice isn't perfect... she has her flaws... doesn't always show good judgment and sometimes needs pointed out to her when her moral courage is lacking. Sound like anyone we know? Really? Stand in f...more
Alice is kind of at a low point in her life. She got fired from her job for exposing a secret about her boss, so now she’s jobless.
Yes, she has a Harvard degree, but without a life plan, there is nothing to do with that piece of prestigious paper. So, she folds it up and takes up a hobby: Following Polly.
Polly was the popular girl at Harvard. She spoke to Polly once, because she needed help breaking into her room. And although they lived by each other, Polly never spoke to Alice again. This real...more
Yes, she has a Harvard degree, but without a life plan, there is nothing to do with that piece of prestigious paper. So, she folds it up and takes up a hobby: Following Polly.
Polly was the popular girl at Harvard. She spoke to Polly once, because she needed help breaking into her room. And although they lived by each other, Polly never spoke to Alice again. This real...more
I won this book through First Reads & I’m happy to say I really enjoyed it!
I read it as my pool book over the past few days and I have to say it was a good choice for that. It was a great mystery, but a funny/cute read at the same time. I feel like if I attempted to explain the plot I’ll give too much away, but trust me, it’s worth a look! Alice is a really likable, a little more than slightly odd, but fun character.
I’d love to read more stuff by Karen Bergreen! 100% recommend this book!
I read it as my pool book over the past few days and I have to say it was a good choice for that. It was a great mystery, but a funny/cute read at the same time. I feel like if I attempted to explain the plot I’ll give too much away, but trust me, it’s worth a look! Alice is a really likable, a little more than slightly odd, but fun character.
I’d love to read more stuff by Karen Bergreen! 100% recommend this book!
Jun 25, 2011
Shelby
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone in need of some light reading
Shelves:
first-reads
I received this book as a part of the Goodreads First Reads program.
It is certainly safe to say that for the past few days I have been infatuated with this book. Although I usually read before bed to settle my mind down, I've been staying up until the AM (which is very late for me) reading this. In fact, I finished the book about five minutes ago and then rushed straight to the computer to write a review. This would be normal if it weren't for the fact that it is currently 12:26 AM.
I can't wait...more
It is certainly safe to say that for the past few days I have been infatuated with this book. Although I usually read before bed to settle my mind down, I've been staying up until the AM (which is very late for me) reading this. In fact, I finished the book about five minutes ago and then rushed straight to the computer to write a review. This would be normal if it weren't for the fact that it is currently 12:26 AM.
I can't wait...more
I won this book on Goodreads!
First of all, let me just say that this is another instance of wishing there was a 1/2 star....I would definitely have bumped it up to 3 1/2 stars instead of 3.
Definitely a stronger ending than start for me with this one. There were times in the beginning when I considered.....well, taking a break and trying again at another time. I'm glad I hung in there, but the my feelings early on are what keep this book at a 3 star rating for me.
While I did feel a certain affini...more
First of all, let me just say that this is another instance of wishing there was a 1/2 star....I would definitely have bumped it up to 3 1/2 stars instead of 3.
Definitely a stronger ending than start for me with this one. There were times in the beginning when I considered.....well, taking a break and trying again at another time. I'm glad I hung in there, but the my feelings early on are what keep this book at a 3 star rating for me.
While I did feel a certain affini...more
Apr 26, 2012
Sylvia
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
goodreads-first-reads
Thank you goodreads for the opportunity to review this book.
Would you call Alice Teakle a stalker? No one much notices Alice: not her boss, not the neighbors, not even her Mother. Besides, everyone follows Polly: her business selling high-end lingerie you can imagine only her elegant self wearing, her all-over-the-social-pages marriage to movie director Humphrey Dawson, her chic looks, her wardrobe. Alice just follows her a little more…closely.
I LOVED this book because it was humorous, with uni...more
Would you call Alice Teakle a stalker? No one much notices Alice: not her boss, not the neighbors, not even her Mother. Besides, everyone follows Polly: her business selling high-end lingerie you can imagine only her elegant self wearing, her all-over-the-social-pages marriage to movie director Humphrey Dawson, her chic looks, her wardrobe. Alice just follows her a little more…closely.
I LOVED this book because it was humorous, with uni...more
First let me give a shoutout to LibraryThing.com - this was my very first Early Reviewers win.
The cover is...well I guess vibrant is the word that comes to mind. I really wanted to read it based on that alone. Honest, I didn't have a clue what it was about.
The story starts with Alice just after she got fired as from her job working with a Casting director Mona Hawkins - who was a horrible human being. She stops to get some comfort food and runs into a woman she knew in college - Polly Dawson. Po...more
The cover is...well I guess vibrant is the word that comes to mind. I really wanted to read it based on that alone. Honest, I didn't have a clue what it was about.
The story starts with Alice just after she got fired as from her job working with a Casting director Mona Hawkins - who was a horrible human being. She stops to get some comfort food and runs into a woman she knew in college - Polly Dawson. Po...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
For more reviews check out my blog, Thoughts of a Fashionista!
Summary: Alice Teakle has just lost her job. What's a girl to do with no career goals, no love life, and an unlimited amount of time on her hands? Follow around the ultra famous Polly Lawson, whom Alice went to college with and has despised ever since. Polly seems to have everything that Alice doesn't. A loving husband, barrels of money, and a successful business selling lingerie. Polly doesn't seem to notice as Alice follows her aro...more
Summary: Alice Teakle has just lost her job. What's a girl to do with no career goals, no love life, and an unlimited amount of time on her hands? Follow around the ultra famous Polly Lawson, whom Alice went to college with and has despised ever since. Polly seems to have everything that Alice doesn't. A loving husband, barrels of money, and a successful business selling lingerie. Polly doesn't seem to notice as Alice follows her aro...more
Alice Teakle has been laid off. Unsure what she wants to do with her life, her mother suggests therapy. Her therapist suggests a life goal. Then, out of the blue, Alice runs into a former and hated college classmate; Polly Dawson. Polly Dawson has everything... money, class, great husband. But Polly is not a nice person. In an admittedly poor spur-of-the-moment decision, Alice begins to follow Polly; certainly if Polly has it all, she must be doing something right. Maybe in following Polly, Alic...more
Disclaimer: I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.
All in all this was a nice, simple story with some humorous elements. One thing that bothered me was any discussion involving a character's use of the internet. It felt like it was written by someone who hasn't really used the internet in about 15 years. (At one point, the main character, Alice, needs to create her own account to "log on." By account the author means an email address.)
Occasionally I was confused by Alice's interactions w...more
All in all this was a nice, simple story with some humorous elements. One thing that bothered me was any discussion involving a character's use of the internet. It felt like it was written by someone who hasn't really used the internet in about 15 years. (At one point, the main character, Alice, needs to create her own account to "log on." By account the author means an email address.)
Occasionally I was confused by Alice's interactions w...more
What a fun book to read! We saw the author at the Gotham Comedy Club in NYC las June and really loved her act. She's one of the instructors in their comedy school. We bought her book that night, had her sign it, and then didn't get to it until now. Now I feel like I should write to her and let her know that I likeD her writing as much as her stand-up. Seriously, a fun comedic mystery. Give it a whirl if you enjoy humorous writing. (Insert smiley emoticon here)
Funny, romantic, and sappy, Following Polly still maintains a believable, adventurous vibe. There is something to Alice Teakle that makes you wonder why she is so goofy, odd, and vicarious. So vicarious, in fact, that she takes to following others a.k.a. stalking. She's not your average, perverted peeping tom though and you can't help but love her.
A wonderful who-dun-it with fantastic characters, a progressive mystery, and not to mention the dash of happily ever after.
A wonderful who-dun-it with fantastic characters, a progressive mystery, and not to mention the dash of happily ever after.
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Karen Bergreen is a comedian who performs live at Carolines, Stand-Up New York, Gotham, and The Comic Strip and has
appeared on Comedy Central, the Oxygen Network and Law & Order.
She was previously an attorney who clerked for a federal judge. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.
More about Karen Bergreen...
appeared on Comedy Central, the Oxygen Network and Law & Order.
She was previously an attorney who clerked for a federal judge. She lives in New York City with her husband and two sons.
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And Walter is a horrible name
Oct 26, 2011 08:17pm