Good Material

I’ll just start with the grading because it’s easy: A-plus! 

Yes. It is that good. 

Let’s do a little synopsis.  Andy is a struggling mid-thirties comedian with enough neuroticism and insecurity for everyone. It doesn’t help that his agent is ready to let him go over his stagnant stage routine, his friends are embarrassed for him due to his career path, and his girlfriend Jen has just left him.

The bulk of Good Material is Andy’s emotional navigation through his breakup; the starting all over, the getting over, and eventually the realization of fresh material that will boost his comedy career. Along the way there are equal amounts amusing and tender bits between Andy and his best friend Avi, eccentric Beatles fanatic landlord Morris, and comedy buddy Emery. Major plot points aside, it’s these extra flavors and seasonings involving the supporting characters that push Good Material into the realm of an A-plus. Through characters like Avi, his wife Jane, and Morris, Dolly Alderton is free to be witty with one-liners, while still hitting all the right sentimental notes. 

Jen as a character is never given full transparency until the end when we see the breakup through her eyes. This is necessary, I suppose, for plotting purposes, but was probably my least favorite portion of the book, as I found Andy’s trajectory more engrossing and relatable. This is of course opinion more than criticism, and in light of the superbness of everything else in Good Material I wouldn’t take any points away from Dolly Alderton, a writer clearly in full control of her craft and form. 

Dolly is an emotionally intelligent writer, and there are copious examples of this in Good Material. It is the irresistibly written break-up story I didn’t realize I needed. 

This is not a romance. It is a British breakup story with tough love and dry wit. Enjoy the readable book candy that is Good Material as I recommend it with all my heart.