CULTURE CLUB
WENT TO LONDON, TOOK THE DOG: A DIARY
BY NINA STIBBE
This diary is an utterly absorbing observational account of 61-year- old Nina’s life as she uproots from Cornwall to drop herself and her cockapoo Peggy into London for a year-long ‘sabbatical’ while she navigates a break-up with her husband. She takes up lodging in Camden, in the house of fellow writer Deborah Moggach, from where she explores the city, socialises with her growing children (whom she adores) and many literary friends (including Cathy Rentzenbrink and Meg Mason), and potters her way back to normality. She joins Hampstead swimming ponds and wades through the associated politics. She rubs shoulders with acclaimed authors and artists in encounters which should feel name-droppy, but just don’t, and still has to tackle completely mundane decisions about whether to defrost a Charlie Bigham’s fish pie or not – or which detergent to use at the laundrette. The effect is somehow completely enthralling – even the short lists of Instagram posts she’s scrolled past are compelling. Parts hilarious, parts heartbreaking, you can dip in and out or splurge in one sitting. Either way, this is an empowering, uplifting read that feels like you are strolling around North London in Nina’s company. How often do you get the chance to spend time with such an interesting individual?
Good Material BY DOLLY ALDERTON
Stand-up comic Andy has been broken up with, so like all good millennials, he’s finding his feet with a listicle. The book opens with his wryly observed ‘Reasons Why It’s Good I’m Not With Jen’, whose ick-making traits will make many wince in recognition. Andy has moved to his mum’s house, having vacated the London flat he shared with Jen. His mum, who deadpans that she loves Jen just a bit more than she loves Andy, brings him tea laced with Disaronno and he declares it feels like Christmas. Andy’s post-break-up behaviour will be painfully familiar: he scrutinises Jen’s Instagram Stories for clues as to why he was broken up with, buys bottles of her perfume and throws them in a canal, and saves the new Bon Iver single for a train ride so he can wallow in self-pity. His mates cluster round to offer support on a boys’ night out, but only after cajoling from best mate Avi – whose wife Jane is Jen’s closest friend – and Andy reels at the realisation their quartet will never be the same. He heads to work, delivering a half-hearted set on the other side of the UK, and navigates finding a new place in London on a comedian’s salary, trying out a canal boat and a 78-year-old prepper’s spare room. Slowly, he starts pulling himself back together while trying to work out what went wrong, but without Jen’s side of the story, can he ever move on? Alderton has a gift for depicting relationships whether between friends, romantic partners or family members, and her asides will make millennials burst out laughing and crinkle their noses at how well they’ve been ‘seen’. This is a whip-smart, gleefully written insight on how we muddle through contemporary relationships which will no doubt become a series sooner rather than later; you’ll probably smash through this book in one indulgent sitting, delighted by the chance to spend more time with these imagined relationships.
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK DECEMBER 2023 29
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