The Pursuit of Alice Thrift

This is my first [a:Elinor Lipman 63681 Elinor Lipman https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1482327276p2/63681.jpg] book, but it won't be my last. I've already got [b:Good Riddance 37569327 Good Riddance Elinor Lipman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1524763503l/37569327.SX50.jpg 59180034] lined up next.I was fascinated by the main character's (Alice Thrift) personality, which was well-described and so realistic. Her mother insists she must be on the autism spectrum. Perhaps. But she seems to only be able to focus on her profession (her residency at a Boston hospital) and nothing else. Still, Alice knows something's missing in life and in her own awkward way, she tries to compensate.Enter Ray Russo, chocolate salesman, who just might be selling something else. At the time they meet, Alice has a roommate, a nurse named Leo, with whom she gets along with quite well. But since he's so popular, she automatically assumes he wouldn't be interested in her. Others notice the opposite. Still, she moves out when he consistently brings Meredith into their apartment, thinking he needs the privacy. Alice's parents, Alice's new best friend, Sylvie, and even Leo all question Alice's judgment when it comes to Ray. The book makes the reader wonder if they could all be wrong and only naïve Alice can see Ray's good side. He's smart, attentive, good in bed, and doesn't mind all the hours that Alice puts in at the hospital. What's not to love? I think Alice's growth is particularly well done in this novel. It happens not just in her personal life, but in her professional life too. Her essence doesn't change, but she does find a way through life with a little help from her friends—and her own good sense. Can't wait to read Lipman's next book. So much so, I actually streamed and watched a movie if her first book on my phone [b:Then She Found Me 483369 Then She Found Me Elinor Lipman https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1348466722l/483369.SY75.jpg 902699]. I'll have to read that one too. The movie was very well done. I imagine the book will be better.