Alice Movie

Question:

There’s something about the Alice movie that makes me a little frustrated, and I don’t know if you’ve gotten this same complaint before, but I’ll say what’s on my mind anyway.
In the Alice movie, Liz is black. Now don’t get me wrong here, normally I would have nothing against this except that, isn’t Pamela’s dad racist against African Americans? Just casting someone who goes against the plot is a little frustrating to me. Aren’t you kind of aggravated by that?

Anyway, I’m really dying to read Intensely Alice! I just ordered it on Amazon and can’t wait until it’s delivered! Almost Alice was one of my favorites, but I have to tell you that some other readers thought that the book ended a little flat. Like the way Pamela got lucky with the miscarriage and that the party after prom was hosted by parents and not some crazed party at a hotel. But overall, the book was great for me.

Thanks for SO much for writing the Alice series and don’t stop! I think that every girl can somehow find themselves in Alice’s place at one time or another and it’s great to be able to relate to someone so real…well kind of. It’s sad to think that Alice isn’t real because reading her books you feel like one of you best pals, when really she’s just words.

Thank you again for your wonderful, great, and inspiring Alice series <3

Phyllis replied:

Thank you for your comments. I was frustrated too because Liz was so miscast, and wished they could have included wonderful Gwen in the movie. I understand why they did it, of course. They wanted the film to appeal to people of all races, and since Gwen doesn’t appear until later in the series, they decided to make Liz African-American. But as I said, I try to see the movie as a thing separate from the book, “The Agony of Alice.” If we didn’t know about the book, in other words, would the movie work on its own? That’s the best way to judge it.

As to your other comments, I hope readers understand that I am following one particular girl as she matures. She is not “every” girl. She does not do what readers always expect, or what readers think would be most exciting. In our part of the country, that “after prom party” is a big deal in some high schools, and are a lot of fun. My concept of what Alice would do at this particular time would be to have fun with her friends. Yes, Pamela’s miscarriage was convenient, but this is not unusual for a small stature teenage girl who isn’t getting the sleep or the nutrition she needs and is tense and worn out. I have to write the book as I feel it would happen, but every reader is entitled to make her own judgment. I’m always grateful to readers who give me their opinions, and I do think about each one. It helps direct me in future books.

Posted on: June 11, 2009