Good Material – Dolly Alderton
Expectation: A lighthearted break-up story with the usual rom-com tropes.
Reality: A surprisingly affecting exploration of self-discovery and navigating heartbreak from the perspective of a dumped male.
My Take:
Dolly Alderton's "Good Material" was a delightful surprise. It transcends the typical breakup novel with a poignant exploration of self-discovery and the lingering ache of a love lost.
Andy, our protagonist, embodies the anxieties of a generation grappling with delayed adulthood. More Chris O’Dowd than Henry Cavill, his reliance on humor and nostalgia masks a deeper fear: the realization that his affable charm has become a crutch in a world where his peers are building families and careers.
The narrative unfolds primarily through Andy's POV, dissecting the fragments of his relationship with Jen, and Alderton masterfully avoids the pitfalls of caricature. Andy isn't a stereotypical man-child. He's a man confronting the limitations of his emotional maturity and the societal expectations of masculinity.
The book delves into the complexities of navigating heartbreak, particularly the temptation to live in and repeat the past, and the painful acceptance that sometimes love isn't enough for a relationship to survive — paths frequently diverge.
While some subplots felt unnecessary, Alderton always finds a way back from the slapstick with writing that is both honest and witty. The last chapter, which offers a glimpse into Jen's perspective, was the perfect conclusion and a reminder that breakups are not one-sided.
I went into this expecting a frothy run-of-the-mill romantic comedy, but instead found myself replaying my own romantic histories and reveling in the shared celebrations and miseries of giving your heart to someone.
The audiobook casting was fantastic, even if the performances weren’t equal. Primarily narrated by Arthur Darvill, he gave a solid if unremarkable performance as Andy. While nailing the character’s aloof earnestness, I sometimes grew tired of his voice.
Vanessa Kirby had a small but pivotal role as Jen, providing a restrained and borderline cold delivery that matched her ambition and regrets. In hearing the two actors you believe they could’ve been a couple and also understand why the relationship didn’t work out.
Rating (story): 4/5 stars
Rating (narration): 3.5/5 stars
Format: Audiobook (library loan)
Dates read: March 19 – March 24, 2024
Multi-tasking: Good to go. Following the story isn’t particularly difficult but you might miss some of Alderton’s great one-liners if you aren’t paying close attention.
