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The League for the Suppression of Celery
Kate Pearson heads west from Arkansas in an old jalopy with two parakeets, a job offer and a half-baked plan: Dreamboat celebrity chef Warren Hoffman has offered Kate a job – and himself – if she will relocate to Oxnard, California. The catch? Kate soon discovers Warren has a Big Secret. And that he’s possibly crazy.
During her journey, Kate stumbles into the lair of paranoid militants calling themselves the League for the Suppression of Celery. When they learn her destination is Oxnard -- celery capital of the world -- they stop at nothing to indoctrinate her into their nefarious cult.
Her escape from the League sends her racing toward her happily-ever-after while being pursued by members of the League who want her back, and by the compelling new friend who inexplicably quits his job to travel across the country to find her.
During her journey, Kate stumbles into the lair of paranoid militants calling themselves the League for the Suppression of Celery. When they learn her destination is Oxnard -- celery capital of the world -- they stop at nothing to indoctrinate her into their nefarious cult.
Her escape from the League sends her racing toward her happily-ever-after while being pursued by members of the League who want her back, and by the compelling new friend who inexplicably quits his job to travel across the country to find her.
444 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 20, 2012
6 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Russ
15 books25 followersSouthern author and teller-of-tall-tales currently living nestled in the foothills of the Arkansas Ozarks. Her short stories and poems have been published by Tales of the South, Emerge Literary Journal and elsewhere. Her debut novel is The League for the Suppression of Celery.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 21, 2012
Wendy Russ is a gifted author with a sparkling writing voice and an innate, Southern talent for spinning a story. THE LEAGUE FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF CELERY is a surprising and deeply satisfying debut from a natural-born writer.
Russ's protagonist, Kate Pearson, is a delightful mix of quirky, smart, and insecure, and the novel, for all its many comical and heartfelt turns, is really about Kate embracing her true strength of character on a journey from Arkansas to California, where she may or may not work for the charismatic Warren Hoffman, a celebrity chef who adores fat, scrumptious strawberries as much as Kate does, but who cannot possibly match her loathing for the nasty and despicable celery. Along America's highways and backroads, while entertaining a complicated romance with the slick and married Hoffmann, Kate meets a fascinating mix of characters--some dangerous, some eccentric--one of whom will return to change her life forever.
I found THE LEAGUE FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF CELERY to be an utterly unique and engrossing read. Russ succeeds in combining the comical absurdity of a league dedicated to wiping out the evils of celery from the world with a sincere love story that's as authentic and touching as anything I've ever read. Most of all, she makes us care about Pearson. It's Kate's growth throughout the novel that lifts this novel from entertaining to memorable.
I cannot wait to see what Russ writes next. I'm sure to come along for the ride.
Russ's protagonist, Kate Pearson, is a delightful mix of quirky, smart, and insecure, and the novel, for all its many comical and heartfelt turns, is really about Kate embracing her true strength of character on a journey from Arkansas to California, where she may or may not work for the charismatic Warren Hoffman, a celebrity chef who adores fat, scrumptious strawberries as much as Kate does, but who cannot possibly match her loathing for the nasty and despicable celery. Along America's highways and backroads, while entertaining a complicated romance with the slick and married Hoffmann, Kate meets a fascinating mix of characters--some dangerous, some eccentric--one of whom will return to change her life forever.
I found THE LEAGUE FOR THE SUPPRESSION OF CELERY to be an utterly unique and engrossing read. Russ succeeds in combining the comical absurdity of a league dedicated to wiping out the evils of celery from the world with a sincere love story that's as authentic and touching as anything I've ever read. Most of all, she makes us care about Pearson. It's Kate's growth throughout the novel that lifts this novel from entertaining to memorable.
I cannot wait to see what Russ writes next. I'm sure to come along for the ride.
October 8, 2017
Rating ** 1/2
Review: I think this book would have been better if it was shorter. While the premise was intentionally out there, just too much happened. Kate gets a job with a famous chef, to start after she graduates. She begins an emotional affair with him long-distance. Upon graduation she sets off to meet him in California. On the way she makes several stops--at his request. This puts a real crimp in the way of true love. I did not like the male love interest at all, but to be fair, I don't think you were meant to. There is part mystery, part love story, part comedy. An okay read that gets the half star for an interesting premise and title.
June 1, 2013
The main character struck me as being young and naïve in a way that was amusing, though worrisome. She learns a lot about the world (it's a wacky, dangerous and wondrous place)and herself by the conclusion of the novel.
The humor is whimsical and fey and the adventures the MC experiences were sometimes so bizarre that I wondered if they were based on a real League for the Suppression of Celery!
You haven't read anything else like this book so, if you like a fresh voice and unique approach (I do), I recommend this novel.
The humor is whimsical and fey and the adventures the MC experiences were sometimes so bizarre that I wondered if they were based on a real League for the Suppression of Celery!
You haven't read anything else like this book so, if you like a fresh voice and unique approach (I do), I recommend this novel.
May 7, 2013
This was a delightful novel -- a zany tale of a girl coming of age, waking up to the big bad reality of life. If you are a reader who can't abide whimsy, this might not be the book for you, but I've known several iterations of Kate in my lifetime and she is fascinating in her imperfections. Well written, fun read.
December 10, 2012
Very humorous cross-country romp with a young woman about to set out on her first "real" job. Filled with a gang of characters from sexy, goofy, sweet, wise, to downright villainous. Great fun entertainment and romance. I will look for this author again!
September 12, 2012
A fun read! A wonderful road trip with Kate - a loveable character with whom I can easily identify.
September 8, 2012
Seeing a variety of odd things during a road trip. Some readers may find this humorous.
STORY BRIEF:
Warren is a famous chef/food expert who writes books and is a frequent talk show guest. Kate is two months from graduating college, majoring in photography. Warren is a guest on a radio talk show. Kate is urged by her friend to phone the show as a call-in guest. That is how they meet. Warren hires Kate to work for him as a photographer/assistant. As soon as she graduates, Kate drives from Arkansas to California, stopping along the way to photograph various events and people at Warren’s direction. Examples are a woman who makes love potions and a pig roasting contest.
Warren is handsome with a great body. He falls in love with Kate and wants more than a working relationship. But there are problems. Kate is attracted to Warren. She is also attracted to another man she meets along the way.
Most of the story is the road trip. Some interesting things happen. Something dangerous happens. Kate meets a group of people who hate celery and want to destroy celery crops. Kate also hates celery. Periodically through the book are news articles, usually about celery, for example someone slipping on celery and suing.
Most of the story is first person Kate, but several scenes are third person other characters.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is something like tongue-in-cheek humor. I laughed three times. I found things odd which is good, but not enough to really engage me.
In several cases, the author touches on a character or situation that sounds interesting. Then she moves to a different situation without fully developing or finishing the first one. The result felt like events thrown in. I wanted more motivations, consequences, and resolutions. However, I’m ok with being light on plot if there’s a lot of humor. This was too much in the middle, not enough of either one.
The story has a chick lit feel with the expectation of romance. There is a happy romantic ending. There were some sex scenes vaguely referred to, no details.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Kate, 3rd person others. Kindle count story length: 5696 (297KB). Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Sex scenes: 5. Setting: current day various U.S. states. Copyright: 2012. Genre: chick lit with some romance.
STORY BRIEF:
Warren is a famous chef/food expert who writes books and is a frequent talk show guest. Kate is two months from graduating college, majoring in photography. Warren is a guest on a radio talk show. Kate is urged by her friend to phone the show as a call-in guest. That is how they meet. Warren hires Kate to work for him as a photographer/assistant. As soon as she graduates, Kate drives from Arkansas to California, stopping along the way to photograph various events and people at Warren’s direction. Examples are a woman who makes love potions and a pig roasting contest.
Warren is handsome with a great body. He falls in love with Kate and wants more than a working relationship. But there are problems. Kate is attracted to Warren. She is also attracted to another man she meets along the way.
Most of the story is the road trip. Some interesting things happen. Something dangerous happens. Kate meets a group of people who hate celery and want to destroy celery crops. Kate also hates celery. Periodically through the book are news articles, usually about celery, for example someone slipping on celery and suing.
Most of the story is first person Kate, but several scenes are third person other characters.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This is something like tongue-in-cheek humor. I laughed three times. I found things odd which is good, but not enough to really engage me.
In several cases, the author touches on a character or situation that sounds interesting. Then she moves to a different situation without fully developing or finishing the first one. The result felt like events thrown in. I wanted more motivations, consequences, and resolutions. However, I’m ok with being light on plot if there’s a lot of humor. This was too much in the middle, not enough of either one.
The story has a chick lit feel with the expectation of romance. There is a happy romantic ending. There were some sex scenes vaguely referred to, no details.
DATA:
Narrative mode: 1st person Kate, 3rd person others. Kindle count story length: 5696 (297KB). Swearing language: strong, including religious swear words. Sexual language: none. Sex scenes: 5. Setting: current day various U.S. states. Copyright: 2012. Genre: chick lit with some romance.
July 24, 2013
Kate Pearson’s on top of the world. Not only is she this close to graduation, she already has a job offer — from dreamboat celebrity chef Warren Hoffman! He’s funny and charming, and it doesn’t take too long before Kate’s halfway in love with him.
Then she finds out he’s married. And his wife’s something of a kook. What’s a girl to do now?
She packs her stuff and heads to California for her job, that’s what. Along the way, she tries to sort out her feelings for Warren, but gets distracted by the silly, zany things she encounters. And a boy. Of course, it’s all fun and games until it’s not — which is definitely true when Kate runs into the militant League for the Suppression of Celery, and psychotropic strawberries.
The League for the Suppression of Celery is a fun and quirky read, with each section’s “introduction” a news clipping featuring something – murder, mayhem, chaos, excerpts – related to celery. Yes, celery. And Kate’s adventures follow in the same vein, from “investigating” a rival strawberry grower, to visiting the Hillbilly Love Doctor and Burning Pig, getting kidnapped by the League, and checking out Vegas. Along the way Kate learns about life and love, and where she draws the line.
I quite enjoyed Kate’s adventures, and was plenty entertained by The League for the Suppression of Celery. It’s fun and light, and imparts lessons like Why You Shouldn’t Get Involved with Your Married Boss. And Do Not Drive While Suffering From Allergic Reaction and Sunburn. Wendy Russ is a storyteller, indeed.
drey’s rating: Excellent!
Then she finds out he’s married. And his wife’s something of a kook. What’s a girl to do now?
She packs her stuff and heads to California for her job, that’s what. Along the way, she tries to sort out her feelings for Warren, but gets distracted by the silly, zany things she encounters. And a boy. Of course, it’s all fun and games until it’s not — which is definitely true when Kate runs into the militant League for the Suppression of Celery, and psychotropic strawberries.
The League for the Suppression of Celery is a fun and quirky read, with each section’s “introduction” a news clipping featuring something – murder, mayhem, chaos, excerpts – related to celery. Yes, celery. And Kate’s adventures follow in the same vein, from “investigating” a rival strawberry grower, to visiting the Hillbilly Love Doctor and Burning Pig, getting kidnapped by the League, and checking out Vegas. Along the way Kate learns about life and love, and where she draws the line.
I quite enjoyed Kate’s adventures, and was plenty entertained by The League for the Suppression of Celery. It’s fun and light, and imparts lessons like Why You Shouldn’t Get Involved with Your Married Boss. And Do Not Drive While Suffering From Allergic Reaction and Sunburn. Wendy Russ is a storyteller, indeed.
drey’s rating: Excellent!
August 14, 2013
How can you not like, how can you not buy a novel with the title "The League for the Suppression of Celery?" I bought it and I’m glad I did. I is a fun, delightful read. I would have said it is quite the page turner, but I read on Kindle so it is quite the “next-page” button pusher.
"The League for the Suppression of Celery" is a love story. Will Kate Pearson, a photography major from Arkansas, fall for the seductive charms of her new boss, a boss who harbors a strange secret? Will she choose the smitten computer salesman who follows her across the country?
But this is a love story like no other. Kate, gets the improbable job offer to work for one of the nation’s most charismatic celebrity chefs. Kate drives from Arkansas to California in a beat-up car to encounter as many crazy, hilarious adventures as Hope and Crosby did in their "Road To..." films. Along the way Kate chances upon strawberries with truly strange properties, a woman who makes love potions, a giant pig-roasting event, and The League For the Suppression of Celery, a militant organization like no other.
"The League for the Suppression of Celery" is a wonderfully quirky and compelling first novel with a well-drawn character. I expect more great books from Wendy Russ.
"The League for the Suppression of Celery" is a love story. Will Kate Pearson, a photography major from Arkansas, fall for the seductive charms of her new boss, a boss who harbors a strange secret? Will she choose the smitten computer salesman who follows her across the country?
But this is a love story like no other. Kate, gets the improbable job offer to work for one of the nation’s most charismatic celebrity chefs. Kate drives from Arkansas to California in a beat-up car to encounter as many crazy, hilarious adventures as Hope and Crosby did in their "Road To..." films. Along the way Kate chances upon strawberries with truly strange properties, a woman who makes love potions, a giant pig-roasting event, and The League For the Suppression of Celery, a militant organization like no other.
"The League for the Suppression of Celery" is a wonderfully quirky and compelling first novel with a well-drawn character. I expect more great books from Wendy Russ.
April 30, 2013
3.5 stars? I really enjoyed the writing, the way the author describes feelings and people's souls. I was rooting for the main character, even though she did a lot of stupid (and slutty) things, and it was difficult for me to identify with her, since every man she met pretty much fell at her feet. I agree with the author's mother who tried to keep her from writing the naughty bits. I almost stopped reading after the first few chapters. The best part was the last "book".
December 11, 2012
Disappointing. I enjoyed the discussion of the dangers of celery. Very amusing. But the characters felt flat and completely uninteresting and the plot didn't engage me. I had hoped for a fun light read and it kind of satisfied that. But it helps to have low expectations when you read this book.
May 11, 2013
This book was hilarious. Not fall out of my chair, but more chuckle every few pages. The main character is a bit out of it sometimes, and I had a few moments of wanting to smack her, but she was real enough that I found myself routing for her.
A fun read, this one does have some mature audience material, so only my teen friends who are no longer teens :P
A fun read, this one does have some mature audience material, so only my teen friends who are no longer teens :P
March 1, 2013
I thought the title was funny so I got this book for free for my kindle. She almost lost me during the part where the "league" comes into the story because it was pretty dumb. Really dumb. Other than that, this was pretty standard chick-lit stuff. It was entertaining and easy to read for when I needed something pretty mindless.
February 27, 2013
I loved this book. Funny, witty, and intelligent writing. I will confess to at times wanting to choke the protagonist Kate but the fact the book made me care enough about her to get frustrated by her poor choices only serves to illustrate how well rendered both the story and characters are. A good fun read well worth your time and money.
January 21, 2013
A fun, quirky read. I finished it in a few hours. Kate's travels across America for her overbearing and odd boss were at times fun, exciting, and scary. Often times, they were just downright silly. I'm a sucker for a happy ending though, so I rather embraced and enjoyed the silliness.
January 21, 2013
Wendy's first novel! (Made even better because I know the author!) A delightful and fun read following a young, naïve heroine through her death-defying antics as she seeks fame, fortune, and her career path. What she doesn't plan on is being a victim of the League for the Suppression of Celery!
January 19, 2016
What a strange book! I mean that in a good way, so different and unexpected and weird! I can't think of another book like it and I would recommend it for someone looking for something different to read.
October 18, 2014
It's always very exciting to stumble upon a book that is different and unique and utterly enjoyable. Maybe a little bit crazy too. But in a really good way. I thoroughly enjoyed this story. Well done, Wendy Russ.
February 15, 2016
This was definitely not what I expected. The story was so strange, and the characters were definitely quirky. I do love quirky characters. I could have survived without the graphic sexual content, and the book would have been just as good without it.
January 17, 2013
Weird. Worth a read. Begins as a typical Danielle Steele type read. Ends with a strong self empowered woman...& has a nice finish.
January 20, 2013
Amusing light read. Quite honestly I didn't know how to rate this. It was well written, well edited and yet I kept getting a little lost. Maybe it's because I actually do like celery.
June 19, 2013
A silly and strange story about a girl on an adventurous road trip to find herself. The most interesting thing about this book is all the real-life celery trivia in contains. Seriously.
August 19, 2013
Ok read for the beach, but overall a little too silly.
February 9, 2014
It's an odd but fun read. I found myself smiling as I read toward the end.
February 7, 2014
Cute love story!
February 22, 2015
Quite singular..
January 3, 2015
A bizarre little book- I got it free on kindle - and I didn't expect much, but it was really quite good. Twisted, and weird- but it all pulled together and it was worth the read.
April 27, 2013
Quirky and enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews