Good Material

I'm a huge anglophile, and I love Dolly's writing, so I knew I'd love this book. But if you'd told me I was going to read a story about a failing, male standup comic who just got dumped and can't let it go--I wouldn't think it was my thing. But I loved this character. I understood him, I wanted him to win, I loved walking the streets with him, I loved hanging out in his world, even though it wasn't his happiest time. Endearingly melodramatic like a funny friend who just got dumped.

It made me chuckle and reminded me how complicated people and relationships can be.

Reading this book is like re-experiencing your worst breakup in the most winning way. Andy is going through it. His girlfriend, Jen, has broken up with him for reasons he STILL can’t understand, and he’s now spending his days drinking at the bar and calling up exes, which… who among us hasn’t?

I absolutely love how romantic this book about getting over a relationship feels. The audiobook is utterly charming and often laugh-out-loud funny as Andy drinks too much, tries on several new lifestyles, and pines over Jen. Eventually, the whole book is flipped on its head when you get… show more.

I really loved this book for its unfiltered look into the often funny life of a man navigating the worlds of stand-up comedy and personal mishaps, all within the backdrop of Birmingham–a city that doesn't feature in enough bestselling books.

The book took me back to cringeworthy ‘open mic’ comedy nights, performing for a share of ‘the bucket’, which rarely covered a pint at city centre prices. Loser Andy adores lovely Jen… but Jen has had her fill of Andy. The only problem is she can’t explain why, and that’s not enough for him.

Despite a series of truly dick… show more.