The Party: A Guide to Adventurous Entertaining

I live in Bermuda and picked this book up at our local "high end" charity thrift shop for a dollar. Being from Virginia, I thought "Why not? - I entertain quite a bit, perhaps she'll have some pointers." Well, this book was SO funny, SO GOOD that I took it to six different countries with me while reading it. I got to the final four chapters, left it in the hospital accidentally, and am now frantic to find another one. I read parts of it to my hubby, and being a non-hostess-like, rugby playing Canadian - HE even found it funny!!! This book is PERFECT for us retired old sorority girls that still believe in crystal wine glasses, cloth napkins, and a proper dining room. - Would love to get all her books and meet her!

Near the end of her book, "The Party: A Guide to Adventurous Entertaining," Washington "hostess" and Southern belle Sally Quinn discloses for whom she has written this book. Ms. Quinn says that ". . . many newcomers to Washington, whether they are members of Congress or administration types or diplomats or journalists, do find the whole notion of Washington and Georgetown dinner parties terribly intimidating." Through her outspoken and irreverent memoir-guide, she hopes to demystify "what goes on here."Ms. Quinn does mention "names"; she says she does so in order to level the playing field, to show that anyone can drop the ball when entertaining. Her book is filled with anecdotes as well as practical tips. She exhorts would-be hosts and hostesses to follow the Golden Rule: "Treat your guests the way you would like to be treated." Much of the book repeats commonsensical rules that those of us who entertain already know. However, I did pick up some pointers, such as ". . . no matter how bad the food is or what disaster befalls you in the kitchen, when all else fails, make sure you have plenty of booze on hand, and the party won't be a total bomb," and "[e]veryone in your home must be treated like a celebrity, must be made to feel wanted and special.""The Party" may not appeal much to experienced party-givers and party-goers. However, it is an amusing addition to more "serious" books on entertaining. For someone who is starting out as a host or hostess, I think he or she will find some good tips here. As Ms. Quinn says, "the point is to have a good time." If one cannot do so, then she says to "get over it." If you don't know what a "P.R.F." is, then that is reason enough to get this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's great light reading, even if you're not planning a party. Sally's writing style is witty; her tips are practical. She doesn't refrain from describing her own entertaining disasters in detail. Lot's of fun.

I entertain frequently, and Ms. Quinn has a most delightful way of discussing the angst (and disasters!) of every experienced hostess. "The Party" had me laughing out loud, and I have been giving this book as a gift to other friends who entertain. They love it!On a more practical note, she has good suggestions about what really makes a party work. So whether your guests are 'famous' or not, her wisdom is true.