Ali in Wonderland

And Other Tall Tales

By: Ali Wentworth

Narrated by: Ali Wentworth

Length: 5 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

Growing up in a family of political journalists - and daughter of President Reagan’s White House social secretary - Ali Wentworth rebelled against her blue-blood upbringing, embracing Hollywood, motorcycles, even a few wildly inappropriate marriage proposals. Today she is an acclaimed comedic actress and writer, former Oprah regular, wife of political and media star George Stephanopoulos, and a mother who lets her two girls eat cotton candy before bed. Though she’s settled down, her rebellious nature thrives in her comedy and her view of her crazy world.

In this addictively funny and warm memoir, she takes us through the looking glass and into the wonderland of her life, from a childhood among Washington’s elite to a stint in the psych ward they called a New England prep school; days doing L.A. sketch comedy (with then-aspiring artists Will Ferrell and Lisa Kudrow) to a series of spectacularly failed loves (that eventually led her to Mr. Right). Constant throughout is her mother, Muffie - a flawlessly elegant yet firm, no-nonsense force of nature and pure WASP convictions.

As charming and off-the-wall as Ali herself, Ali in Wonderland is an entertaining look at life that is both intimate and hilarious.

©2012 Trout the Dog Productions, Inc. (P)2012 HarperCollinsPublishers

Critic reviews

“Wentworth is amusing and frank, often frenetic, with sharp intelligence underneath the sassy wackiness; passages about her struggle with depression, falling in love with her husband, and her daughter’s baptism have funny moments, but they’re thoughtful and touching, too…. Highly entertaining memoir.” ( Publishers Weekly)

“Ali Wentworth is funny and warm and crazy all at once. Like Barbara Eden. But on something. Like crystal meth.” (Alec Baldwin)

“[A] satirical dissection of class and privilege….A smart, often-funny memoir.” ( Kirkus Reviews)

Loved every minute!

Would you consider the audio edition of Ali in Wonderland to be better than the print version?

Yes! The audio version is superior because Wentworth's narration only adds to the hilarity of the story!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Ali Wentworth herself.

Any additional comments?

Fantastic...reminiscent of Chelsea Handler...if Handler grew up in the privileged,
sociall circuit in Washington DC.

Just ok

Overall I think this book is just ok. I like her better on tv than in this book. There are times I feel like she is trying too hard to be funny. I also think she is exaggerating quite a bit, but it is called ???and other tall tales???.

Entertaining, but Disorganized

I've listened to quite a few 'memoirs' by funny women in the last several months and I have say that this one, while not the most bazaar, was defiantly the hardest to believe. Ali Wentworth has had some life, and she does a great job reading her own work (which can't be said for all authors, as we know). She was very entertaining and I found myself laughing out loud at several parts. Her experiences seem almost too crazy/grand/awful to be true, but they are, of course.
I do wish, which is why I only gave her book a 4, that she had put all these stories in order. She'll be reading about an experience as a child, and in the next chapter jump to adulthood, and then the next chapter will be about college. I understand that each chapter was about certain experiences, but they could have, nonetheless, been put into chronological order, just too make the listening (or reading, I'm sure) smoother.
Apart from that, I would recommend this book to those who enjoyed Tina Fey, Jenny Lawson (Jenny's was more back-woods odd, where Ali upper-crust-odd), or Rachel Dratch. (Would recommend all of those if you haven't had the pleasure yet, too!)

what the

why can she get a book published? anyway it is a some what good book even if I wish it was one I'm writing.

Suprised that I liked it

I wasn't a big Ali Wentworth fan but this book was good. I liked almost everything about it. if you like lite bios check this one out.

Cute summer read

The thing I liked most about this book was her voice. Not just her tangible voice- I appreciate authors who take the time to read their own work (Yes, I'm talking to you Fahreed!) but also her very compelling and revealing personal narrative voice.
You will come away from this funny beach listen feeling like you shared a week at summer camp with this crazy girl who plopped in from a life of privilege and access that most of us never even know to dream for.
Very DC, lots of names dropped, which is very DC. This summer has been a litany of journos bemoaning the loss of the six course dinner party, but Ali gives you a peek into a time when DC was political, but not so politic.

Super Book with Funny Narrator

I listened to "Ali Ever After" and loved it so much that I immediately downloaded "Ali in Wonderland". I'm training for a half-marathon, so I listen to 3 or 4 chapters on a run ... If you see a runner w/ earbuds Laughing Out Loud, they're probably listening to Ali!

I really enjoy Ali's voice, when it's being sarcastic, imitating her mother's perfect wasp or Dax's british accents, or just straight-forward reading. This is a funny, sweet, audible book that I will recommend to friends.

Love Ali, but it was too open ended

Love her, but underwhelmed. I felt like she started telling her story, but left off too soon.

I remember when....

Would you consider the audio edition of Ali in Wonderland to be better than the print version?

I love the audio edition of this book. I knew when and where she wanted the points emphasised.

What did you like best about this story?

This book brought back so many memories of little things that you forget about the times in which you were raised. Thanks Ali!

What about Ali Wentworth’s performance did you like?

I love to listen to her anytime. She is so funny!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I have seven children so I cannot listen all in one sitting!

Love Ali

I find myself wanting Ali to be my best friend. The writing is so clever and a relief from so many violent TV shows, books, and life! Love the detailed descriptions. I don’t know how she remembers so much of her life. Hope we meet someday!!!