Book Review: Romantic Comedy
Romantic Comedy is our October book club pick!
Notting Hill move over, there’s a new rom-com in town! This is my first Curtis Sittenfeld book, and I’ll certainly be back for more! Romantic Comedy is a hilarious novel about Sally Millz, a comedy sketch writer for a late-night comedy sketch show that airs late on Saturdays. After a few heartbreaks, she decides to swear off love completely and focus on her highly successful career.
When Sally’s friend and fellow writer, Danny, starts dating a glamorous actor, Sally decides to take her frustration out by writing a comedy sketch that pokes fun at the apparent trend in society of average-looking men dating stunningly beautiful, accomplished women. The premise being that this would unlikely happen in reverse for women. Well, until Noah Brewster enters the room.
Romantic Comedy is the 2020s nod to the movie Notting Hill, and I’m totally here for it! The first part of the novel follows the week leading up to Noah Brewsters hosting gig on TNO, where we get a fantastic BTS look at what it’s like to work on a comedy show like this, and how it all comes together. The second part is a wonderful recount of pandemic life, a stark reminder of how all our world’s shut down but human connection was arguably at its strongest. And the third follows how their relationship grows whilst navigating life’s speed bumps (and the cons of dating a celebrity).
I love the writing, adore the characters, and found Sally witty and charming - someone I could see myself spending time with. She’s loveable, realistic and a relatable heroine, who brings to light many issues we, as women, face both in the workplace and outside in the real world.
I would highly recommend this as a book to enjoy in your 30s and urge you to order it right away. It’s a must-read!
