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Alice, I Think
Miss Smithers
Alice MacLeod, Realist at Last
By Susan Juby
Published by Harper Collins
Review #1: Lesley-Anne Steeleworthy
I missed out on Alice, I Think when it was first published in 2000. If it weren’t for an interview on Sounds Like Canada with author Susan Juby and actress Carly McKillip, I may have missed it altogether – and what a shame that would have been. Young Adult novels rarely make it onto my radar, but after reading these three books, I may spend more time at my local children’s book store.
Set in Smithers, in the BC interior, the books begin when fifteen-year old Alice MacLeod decides to give up home-schooling and go to high school. Her family are the core people in her life and the novels, even though they drive her nuts. Her mother Diane is a hippie and a militant vegetarian, while her father John is a slacker and former musician who gets by on his good looks. Her ten-year old brother MacGregor MacLeod is probably the most responsible family member. The characters that make up the rest of Alice’s world are a Rogue’s Gallery of aging hippies, teenage troublemakers, and her distressed counselor Bob. Reading about Alice’s life sounds a lot like the stories I hear from my friends who grew up in the British Columbia interior, in towns that are a lot like Smithers.
Susan Juby writes in a diary style, not entirely unlike the Bridget Jones books, that allows the reader to see the world through Alice’s eyes. Alice’s world of Smithers is a hilarious one of a home-schooled young woman who is attempting to navigate high school, friendships, and romances, all for the first time. The best part about Juby’s writing is that we not only see the odd cast of characters that make up Alice’s world, but Juby writes in a way that allows us to see Alice making mistakes and stumbling through her teenage years, even though Alice is often oblivious to these fumbles. At times you snort with laughter at Alice’s insights; other times you want to shake her and tell her that she’s being an idiot. In that way, Alice is like a best friend – sometimes she does things that drive you crazy, but you love her no matter what.
Alice is more real to the reader than Bridget Jones, possibly because we can all relate to being that awkward teenager who is trying to find a place where they fit. Alice is at times a mirror of yourself and other times, she’s the teenager you wanted to be. Better still, Juby never moralizes about Alice’s choices or mistakes. Alice is a real teenage who thinks about school, sex, and clothes. Her friends drink and smoke. No one in this book is perfect. Sometimes Alice makes the right decision; sometimes she screws up, and sometimes those screw-ups are huge. No matter what happens, Alice is about as real a teenager as any fictional character could be. In some alternate universe, I think I’d be best friends with Susan Juby and Alice, hanging out and laughing until diet pop comes out of my nose.
Since that alternate universe doesn’t exist, I can be satisfied with the three books available –books I am constantly pushing onto my friends – and the new CTV/Comedy Network series based on the books. The television show brings Smithers, BC to me in living colour. The show has managed to translate the misadventures of Alice from the books, and some new ones, into a really funny series. Carly McKillip is fabulous as Alice, and she’s backed up by some equally strong comedic acting, most of it done in a deadpan way that has both my husband and I laughing.
Review #2: Christine Gordon Manley
The Alice books were a real treat to read. In Alice, Susan Juby successfully creates a character the reader can’t help but fall in love with. That’s not to say that I agreed with Alice all the time – quite the opposite, as we see Alice navigate her way through high school, dating, employment, and the constant quest to create a wardrobe that reflects her uniqueness while also not screaming “weirdo!” What is refreshing to see is a character who blunders, as we all do, and who does so with, well, if not grace, then with a blasé sense of humour.
These books are intended for young adults; however, I found myself smiling and giggling my way through them as well. Maybe I found a little piece of myself in Alice. Juby may have just created a character equal in strength and appeal to Ramona of the 1980s.
Alice, I think
CTV Sundays 7pm EST
Comedy Network Fridays 8pm; Saturdays 8:30 pm EST
Click here to purchase Alice I Think
Click here to purchase Miss Smithers
Click here to purchase Alice MacLeod, Realist at Last
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