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rosa_lina96's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
For quite some time I found Andy's POV to be completely insufferable. I don't know if it was because he's implied to be an unreliable narrator even at the best of times, or his borderline alcoholism that the book never really properly delves into, or just the fact that I've never personally gone through a breakup, but for a long time I was honestly considering DNF'ing this book if only so I wouldn't have to be subjected to any more of his self-centered whining. Honestly, the second half of the book managed to redeem it enough to make it a read that was at least tolerable, if not kind of hard to get through anyway. Maybe it would have been more interesting to me had the book been told from Jen's POV instead, but to each their own.
That being said, the book is a poignant look at how breakups can affect both sides of a relationship, as well as how messy and complicated adult friendships can be--but worth it, because sometimes you'll find the right people who will stick with you through thick and thin.
That being said, the book is a poignant look at how breakups can affect both sides of a relationship, as well as how messy and complicated adult friendships can be--but worth it, because sometimes you'll find the right people who will stick with you through thick and thin.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Alcoholism, and Alcohol
Moderate: Infertility
issyd23's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really Good, Actually is the better breakup book. Wish we got more of Jen’s perspective Andy was intolerable and not as funny as Maggie from Really Good 3🎭
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Drug use, Grief, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Alcoholism, Classism, Infertility, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
cassidy_rain's review against another edition
emotional
funny
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
“I wonder where she is now- I imagine her doing her long night-time skincare routine or getting a taxi home or doing an impassioned rant in a pub somewhere with her third glass of wine in her hand. And then I say goodbye to her.”
Hey Alexa, play 7 things I hate about you by Miley Cyrus.
I really wanted to love this, but feel indifferent. Good Material is a story about heartbreak mainly, but also falling out of love. It is written from MMC Andy’s perspective, navigating life after a break-up from longtime girlfriend, Jen. Jen was the one who initiated the split and Andy does not cope with the news well.
I found the pacing to be quite slow and the entire thing pretty forgettable. I didn’t find any of the characters overly likable, though I will say that I found them refreshing! The overall premise is a unique take and sort of flipped script on a breakup.
I did really enjoy the author’s writing style and voice. You really understand Andy; what he’s going through and why he’s behaving in the manner he is. It almost feels like you’re reading his diary. Even though parts feel whiny, it’s refreshing to see a male character experiencing these different emotions and “madness” of heartbreak (stories don’t typically focus on this aspect). I think he does end up having good character growth by the end of the story. The ending was great and did leave me feeling satisfied. At first I wasn’t sure if I needed to know Jen’s side of the story or if it would feel too repetitive- but I think it was done really well to wrap everything up. It was nice to understand where she was coming from, after only getting Andy’s perspective. As a reader you tend to think one way about Jen, because you’re only seeing Andy’s heartbroken and, sometimes irrational, viewpoints. This definitely helped me understand her as a more complex (rather than cliche) character and provided some much needed context to Andy’s perspective. And I did love her independence as well! I’m happy she didn’t have to compromise on that at the end of the day.
“And I know he was telling the truth. He would have loved me unquestioningly and stubbornly forever. And I don’t know if I wanted to be loved like that.”
Hey Alexa, play 7 things I hate about you by Miley Cyrus.
I really wanted to love this, but feel indifferent. Good Material is a story about heartbreak mainly, but also falling out of love. It is written from MMC Andy’s perspective, navigating life after a break-up from longtime girlfriend, Jen. Jen was the one who initiated the split and Andy does not cope with the news well.
I found the pacing to be quite slow and the entire thing pretty forgettable. I didn’t find any of the characters overly likable, though I will say that I found them refreshing! The overall premise is a unique take and sort of flipped script on a breakup.
I did really enjoy the author’s writing style and voice. You really understand Andy; what he’s going through and why he’s behaving in the manner he is. It almost feels like you’re reading his diary. Even though parts feel whiny, it’s refreshing to see a male character experiencing these different emotions and “madness” of heartbreak (stories don’t typically focus on this aspect). I think he does end up having good character growth by the end of the story. The ending was great and did leave me feeling satisfied. At first I wasn’t sure if I needed to know Jen’s side of the story or if it would feel too repetitive- but I think it was done really well to wrap everything up. It was nice to understand where she was coming from, after only getting Andy’s perspective. As a reader you tend to think one way about Jen, because you’re only seeing Andy’s heartbroken and, sometimes irrational, viewpoints. This definitely helped me understand her as a more complex (rather than cliche) character and provided some much needed context to Andy’s perspective. And I did love her independence as well! I’m happy she didn’t have to compromise on that at the end of the day.
“And I know he was telling the truth. He would have loved me unquestioningly and stubbornly forever. And I don’t know if I wanted to be loved like that.”
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Grief, and Eating disorder
e11en's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Grief, Infertility, and Pregnancy
emfield's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Death
Minor: Drug use, Grief, Vomit, and Pregnancy
gemin1reader's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
3.5
This book is really well written and it makes some really good points about generational differences, relationships, break-ups and Dolly Alderton just really gets people, I think! Buuuut…I didn’t actually enjoy the process of reading it that much. Like the majority of the book is a man feeling pitiful about getting dumped and I had to force myself to finish it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Alcohol
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Pregnancy and Infertility
hazelgirl21's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Alcohol
bella_cavicchi's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4.5 stars. About halfway through GOOD MATERIAL, I was worried. Not because it isn't well-written (Alderton always delivers on that front) nor because it isn't funny (it has the makings of a rom-com all over it), but because I couldn't figure out why Alderton—my queen of acknowledging and celebrating the lives of single women—had written this particular book about a 30-something man grieving a hefty breakup.
But then! You reach the last third of the book, and the perspective shifts, and it all starts to make sense. To structure it this way is a risk, but it pays off. The perfect companion to another book I read recently and loved: Amy Key's ARRANGEMENTS IN BLUE, for both invite us readers to think about life where marriage is not the end goal.
Highly recommend.
But then! You reach the last third of the book, and the perspective shifts, and it all starts to make sense. To structure it this way is a risk, but it pays off. The perfect companion to another book I read recently and loved: Amy Key's ARRANGEMENTS IN BLUE, for both invite us readers to think about life where marriage is not the end goal.
Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Pregnancy and Alcohol
Minor: Infidelity and Sexism
jnestwd's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book was so infuriating, I loved it.
God Andy was annoying. Annoying because everything about his insufferable, whiny, self-pitying character is so FAMILIAR.
We all know/have dated an Andy.
And Jen’s act of radical self-love to prioritise her own wants and needs above that of Andy’s, served as an intoxicating reminder that we all have permission to choose our own path. Her chapter at the end read like my own innermost thoughts at times from relationships past where I was searching for a way out.
Dolly masterfully captured the reality of dating and relationships in your 30s with complex and interesting characters that felt entirely believable and relatable.
P.S. petition for a Jen spin off!!!
God Andy was annoying. Annoying because everything about his insufferable, whiny, self-pitying character is so FAMILIAR.
We all know/have dated an Andy.
And Jen’s act of radical self-love to prioritise her own wants and needs above that of Andy’s, served as an intoxicating reminder that we all have permission to choose our own path. Her chapter at the end read like my own innermost thoughts at times from relationships past where I was searching for a way out.
Dolly masterfully captured the reality of dating and relationships in your 30s with complex and interesting characters that felt entirely believable and relatable.
P.S. petition for a Jen spin off!!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Misogyny, Abandonment, Cursing, Grief, and Pregnancy
mgcalder's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Admittedly maybe not the right time for me to read this book but I found the main character insufferable. Writing is good but the story is average.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Alcohol
Moderate: Infertility and Sexual content