Tickled Pink: A Comic Novel

By Rita Rudner

Book Overview

Mindy Solomon absolutely has to leave Miami. Florida is bad for her head and her hair. She dreams of a dancing career on Broadway and moves to New York, but after a string of failures and mishaps, she realizes that she needs to rethink her grand plan. Finding herself spending way too much time in the comedy club where her future ex-boyfriend works, she nervously goes up onstage one night. People laugh. Not in the places where Mindy thought they'd laugh, but hey, it's a start. Mindy and her friend Ursula Duran, a man-magnet model-slash-actress-slash-deeply troubled woman, soon embark on a wild ride that ricochets from New York's East Side Hotel for Women to the comedy circuit, auditions, photo shoots, film premieres, cable TV specials, Hollywood studios, late-night TV talk shows, and beyond. Surrounded by sleazy agents, sleazier lovers, and Ursula's even sleazier mother, the two find that life writes a few punch lines they weren't expecting...but through it all, they somehow manage to have the last laugh. Rita Rudner has crafted a debut novel that is not just funny, but moving and insightful. With its insider's viewpoint of the world of stand-up comedy, Tickled Pink is also, at its core, a touching tale of love, loss, female friendship, and forgiveness.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743442628
• ISBN13: 9780743442626
• Release Date: November 2002
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Author of MATERNAL MEANDERINGS says,"This is fabulous fun!"

I have always loved the humor of Rita Rudner, so it's no surprise that she would write a fantastic book like, "Tickled Pink" that is, at times, downright hilarious, just based upon her characterizations. With the backdrop of solid comedy, wonderful pacing and clever plot development this book is a MUST for those who love humor in their reading. I know, it's trite, but I didn't want it to end. I felt like Rita was telling the story to me over a double latte and I hope she makes a lot of money on this one!

Funny, touching book

I picked this up on a whim, since I really enjoy Rita Rudner's comedy. The main character, Mindy, must be at least partially autobiographical. The details of her life and career are just too real to be fiction. If you're a fan of Rita Rudner, you'll recognize several of her jokes sprinkled through the narrative. The story moves along at a good pace, and the characters are well-drawn and realistic. The relationships among the various characters are written very well, and feel real even when they're played for comedy. The most touching relationship is the one between Mindy and her father. Overall, this is a great, light read. Recommended for those times when you just need a laugh.

heartfelt wit and charm

I recently received this book as a gift. During a weekend of mishaps and "fish bananas," I started reading it. I could not put this book down. From the cover I expected it to be a regurgitation of a stand-up routine. The character development was incredible, I found myself laughing through tears. It was touching first and foremost. I am so impressed with Ms. Rudner's ability-I'd read her grocery list! A sincere thank you for this novel.

Wonderful Novel - Very Touching

I really loved this book. I had to read it through in one day because I couldn't put it down. Mindy, the protagonist, is such a very real person. I completely related to her. I was expecting a laugh-out-loud book, but what I got was a very touching story of an up-and-coming comedian, and the obstacles and joys along the way with friends and family. If you love Rita, then read this book; you won't be disappointed.

Comic plus

On the cover of this book, between the title and the author's name, it says "A Comic Novel". True, its written by a very successful and funny comedienne but there's so much more to it than that.This is the type of book that you find yourself thinking about long after the last page is turned. For instance, you wonder why she put "A Comic Novel" on the cover and why this particular title for the book. There are many different degrees to this novel - it IS comical but its also very serious - about show business, about how hard it is to get started but mostly about friends and relationships and what happens to them when life happens.As Mindy's mother would say, "Fish banana". (Don't worry, the explanation is in the book).It's funny, intriguing and very, very readable.