*Review has minor spoilers! 

Full transparency this would have been a DNF had I not read it for work book club, so y’all already know this one wasn’t for me! 

“Good Material” follows Andy, a 30-something standup comedian, after enduring a blindside breakup. What ensues is a witty and pointed commentary on the ways in which society tends to deal with break ups: wallowing, drinking too much with friends, trying *very hard* to not bring up your ex in conversation with mutual friends, internet stalking, rebounds, etc. 

I loved Dolly’s writing and I appreciated why she wrote the novel from the point of view of a man, but I found Andy to be totally insufferable. I’m also tried of pretending I don’t dislike men, for the most part I do dislike men and don’t really enjoy being around them. Andy’s moping and self-deprecation is totally spot on after a breakup, but I just found myself being so frustrated that he couldn’t pick himself up really in the slightest. As a standup comedian it took him way too long to realize his series of unfortunate events post break up (his catastrophic stint living on a house boat, drunkenly reminiscing in his hometown (yikes), photographing the progression of his back of the head bald spot, and moving in with an older roommate with tin hit conspiracy tendencies) would make for excellent comedic fodder. 

The reason I gave this book 3 stars is because the last chapter is from Jen’s, Andy’s ex, perspective. I found Jen to be extremely relatable and I would have much rather read a book from her perspective. But, I understand why Dolly didn’t write a book from Jen’s perspective: that story has already been told and retold in countless lit fic novels on the market. I’m glad she did something different here and I’m sure that this book will be loved by many! 

This one wasn’t for me, but I still appreciate Dolly as a writer and I’ll likely pick up another of her books.