Good Material, Dolly Alderton
“While the writing is genuinely hilarious… it is also a decoding of the different ways people experience things, of the double standards we still subject men and women to, and of the fact that sometimes we hurt, and it just feels bad.”
Chances are, you’ve heard of Good Material. Chances are, you’ve already bought it or decided to read it. And, let’s face it, Dolly Alderton hardly needs introduction. It is exactly for this reason, though, that you may have found yourself on the fence, debating whether to pick this one up. I’m here to let you know that, although I empathise, this is one book I don’t regret giving in to.
The storyline follows Andy as he lives through the aftermath of a breakup he neither wants nor saw coming. While the writing is genuinely hilarious, which in itself is hugely impressive given the subject matter, it is also a decoding of the different ways people experience things, of the double standards we still subject men and women to, and of the fact that sometimes we hurt, and it just feels bad. The majority of the book is narrated from the male perspective, one we don’t often see represented in Alderton-esque novels (especially those written by women) and is extremely well done. Despite the break-up at the epicentre of it all, this book still manages to give us characters who carry empathy, without villainising one over the other. In short, it is an absolute pleasure to read.
Something that continuously left me in awe while reading Good Material is just how easy Dolly Alderton makes everything seem. Her talent clearly lies in how seamlessly she lets us pace through a book about such big topics and overwhelming emotions, sprinkled with intricate details of everyday life, and have it be one of the most enjoyable experiences (and quickest reads) of our lives. It must undoubtedly be difficult to create such a readable book that genuinely exposes us to different perspectives while making us laugh seconds before moving us to tears – and commercial fiction is looked down upon why?
Good Material is the kind of book that makes you cherish your partner if you’re in a relationship, fall in love with your freedom if you’re single, and appreciate the bittersweetness of coming out on the other end of heartbreak if that happens to be your current reality. It’s perfect for any and all moods and is a great reminder that things, even if they might not look like it right now, will probably be just fine.
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