Good materials ft tea biscuits

I picked this book up at the library, read the blurb, and it piqued my interest. Little did I know, I was in for a rather depressing rollercoaster of a journey.

Good Material is written by Dolly Alderton. I haven’t read her books before, but I did watch the series based on Everything I Know About Love—which I really enjoyed—so I figured I’d probably like this too. The story follows Andy, a thirty-something, somewhat failing comedian who has just been dumped by his girlfriend of five years, Jen. At its core, the book is about Andy navigating his breakup, trying to piece together why Jen left him. In doing so, we also get to know Andy himself—his flaws, his self-delusions, and his attempts at growth. Along the way, the book explores male friendships, what they offer, and where they fall short in emotional depth.

At first, I found Andy a bit frustrating, but as the story progressed, he really grew on me. You end up rooting for him, even as you share his obsession with uncovering the reason behind Jen’s decision. That mystery unravels toward the end, though whether Andy truly gets the closure he’s looking for is another question entirely.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend this book to everyone, but I do think it’s an interesting read. It has moments where it slows down, and I couldn’t help but feel like the story would have been even more compelling if we got glimpses of Jen’s perspective sprinkled throughout. Then again, maybe we were meant to experience the same uncertainty and frustration as Andy—to be left wondering, just like him. The book also offers sharp observations about relationships, breakups, and how society perceives both.

As for the perfect treat? A tea biscuit. Simple, classic, and just a little dry—much like Andy’s humor (and maybe his love life too). It’s the kind of thing you absentmindedly snack on while overthinking everything, much like Andy does throughout Good Material.