Good Material by Dolly Alderton
Hearing that Dolly Alderton was going to be writing a book from a male perspective filled me with a certain anticipatory nostalgia for her feminine-centric narrative that seemed so intrinsic to her storytelling - she has, after all, become a household name for young women dealing with the trenches of dating in London. It seemed like a risky move; an attempt to solidify status as a fiction writer by switching up narrative styles - but the payoff has been unparalleled, heralding Alderton as one of today's literary stars. She weaves the unflinching insight that has become in appertain to her name through every interaction and gesture.
Good Material follows Andy, 35 years old and reeling from heartbreak, as he tries to find his way through, what he refers to as ‘the madness’, a period that is steeped in irony but never once made a mockery of. The self-awareness of Dolly’s writing allows for endearment where you would otherwise find insufferability, a technique that is entirely necessary as we follow the tentative footsteps of a man post-breakup.The thing that surprised me most about this book was the insight into male friendship dynamics, with Alderton crediting these voices to her hours of conversation with the likes of David Nicholls and Joel Golby. These dynamics were handled with such authenticity - the dismissal of emotional subjects and toxicity of modern day masculinity, but also presenting the intrinsic difficulties of grappling with the aforementioned. It is very rare to read about the thought processes behind a man struggling to put what he’s feeling into words.
The last fifty pages of this book tie up a bunch of loose ends and also offer us Jen, Andy’s ex-girlfriend’s, perspective on the situation, a chapter where Alderton reminds us of her unparalleled ability to write about the female experience. Despite focusing on a male protagonist, you have a wonderful ensemble of fleshed out characters who completely elevate the story. Dolly Alderton’s capacity for writing complex female characters allows us to meet ourselves in so many different faces; she has a knack for observing characters in a light that is simultaneously resolute and tender.