Book Blurb:
Andy’s story wasn’t meant to turn out this way. Living out of a suitcase in his best friends’ spare room, waiting for his career as a stand-up comedian to finally take off, he struggles to process the life-ruining end of his relationship with the only woman he’s ever truly loved. As he tries to solve the seemingly unsolvable mystery of his broken relationship, he contends with career catastrophe, social media paranoia, a rapidly dwindling friendship group and the growing suspicion that, at 35, he really should have figured this all out by now. Andy has a lot to learn, not least his ex-girlfriend’s side of the story.
My Review: 4 stars
Good Material by Dolly Alderton had me laughing and grieving with Andy as he can’t get over his recent split from his girlfriend. I loved the male perspective on the breakup. That alone freshened the reading experience as we so often only learn the female POV.
What I most enjoyed about this story is that it offered just enough emotion and tenderness, while also being comedic. The MC is a comedian, so the dialogue is smart and witty. Since his breakup, he’s been a lost soul, reaching out to long ago ex-girlfriends, staying on the couch with his mate’s family, and generally just rehashing the why behind the break-up.
When Andy does find a place to live, it’s with a much older curmudgeon of a man. Their conversations were enlightening, often funny, and just plain entertaining. I also enjoyed learning about the stand-up comedy circuit and the Fringe festival in Scotland, especially because it just so happens that I’ll be in Scotland when the festival takes place.
I really enjoyed this story and can’t wait to read more of Alderton’s work. The quotes below are just a fraction of the many I have highlighted and saved.
Quotes I liked:
We made too much comedy of our differences and placed too much meaning on our similarities.”
“There are so many hidden miniature break-ups within a big break-up.”
“Thirty-five is the youth of middle age,’ I say. ‘We’re at the first stage of something new rather than being at the last stage of being young. I felt relieved when I turned thirty-five. It was like turning eighteen again.”
“Pleased to have realized early on in my life that you can trust nobody. Rely on nobody. When someone tells you something, don’t believe them. When something is given to you as a fact, ask yourself whether it really is a fact. Everybody is out for themselves in this life. Everyone. And that’s how it should be. I should be out for myself.”
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