Review of 28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir
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Himanshu K Yadav
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Review of 28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir
[Following is a volunteer review of "28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir" by Poppy Mortimer.]
Pour a glass of your darkest Cab Sav because Poppy Mortimer’s “28 Disastrous Dates” will have you crying with laughter as it takes you on a whirlwind through the messy side of Australian dating, where not much else remains constant other than your need for a stiff drink.
Mortimer, God rest her disparagingly forceful soul (and also one that made me snigger out loud oftentimes while reading), drips off the pages with the brutal honesty and side-splitting wit of what she otherwise considers her dating life. Think about a walking talk by Bridget Jones about trying to walkabout and ending up somehow face-planting headfirst into a cast of weirdos, liars, and waving warning zone flags. From the vegan who tried to convert her over a plate of tofu balls (yes, you read that right) to the conspiracy meg nuts persuaded about the moon being made of cheese (brie-ev it or it), each chapter is majesties in comic gold.
However, Mortimer’s genius transcends LOLs. Under the many layers of cringe-worthy conversations and hilarious anecdotes, she creates a touching story about self-realization. With every bad date, she learns a lesson in resilience—a brick that leads her to the discovery of what (and who) she deserves. Through her, we watch as she wrestles with past baggage, sails the shark-laden waters of self-doubt, and proverbially says ‘yes’ to that which should unequivocally be a no. Of course, there are moments when you would like to slip under the nearest emu and stutter from second-shift awkwardness. Such are Mortimer’s characteristics, as it fails to shun the sloppy, the in-folder, or that which is arduously mortifying. You do this thing with that stuff; you accept it and then cast it over your heads like a returning boomerang of self-recognition, which makes one cackle with mad delight at the absurdity of human behavior.
This is not just a rom-com for discontented lovers; it’s a humorous hymn to self-acceptance and the freeing force laughter brings. You will be one hundred percent convinced that the breakup of your own relationship was always less tricky and complicated than depicted in this book. You’ll also feel alert to any men whose socks wear sandals, but at least you won’t finish reading having lost faith—there is still enough reason for a good laugh and perhaps a worthy block.
It's got no mistakes because it's edited professionally, and there's nothing I can't like about it. I'd give this 5 out of 5 stars. The 28 disastrous dates are now in the spotlight, and so is the woman who was brave enough to lift her veil of shamefulness and dare to confess how embarrassing some encounters can be with weirdos. However, remember to keep low hopes and be ready for horrific humor. Dates are unpredictable, after all; at least they won’t trigger “28 Disastrous Dates” will prove to be a page-turner for all those who have even once swiped right in the Tinderverse; witty it is, largely relatable, and with some of that heartwarming content, we could not just recommend strongly enough.
******
28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Pour a glass of your darkest Cab Sav because Poppy Mortimer’s “28 Disastrous Dates” will have you crying with laughter as it takes you on a whirlwind through the messy side of Australian dating, where not much else remains constant other than your need for a stiff drink.
Mortimer, God rest her disparagingly forceful soul (and also one that made me snigger out loud oftentimes while reading), drips off the pages with the brutal honesty and side-splitting wit of what she otherwise considers her dating life. Think about a walking talk by Bridget Jones about trying to walkabout and ending up somehow face-planting headfirst into a cast of weirdos, liars, and waving warning zone flags. From the vegan who tried to convert her over a plate of tofu balls (yes, you read that right) to the conspiracy meg nuts persuaded about the moon being made of cheese (brie-ev it or it), each chapter is majesties in comic gold.
However, Mortimer’s genius transcends LOLs. Under the many layers of cringe-worthy conversations and hilarious anecdotes, she creates a touching story about self-realization. With every bad date, she learns a lesson in resilience—a brick that leads her to the discovery of what (and who) she deserves. Through her, we watch as she wrestles with past baggage, sails the shark-laden waters of self-doubt, and proverbially says ‘yes’ to that which should unequivocally be a no. Of course, there are moments when you would like to slip under the nearest emu and stutter from second-shift awkwardness. Such are Mortimer’s characteristics, as it fails to shun the sloppy, the in-folder, or that which is arduously mortifying. You do this thing with that stuff; you accept it and then cast it over your heads like a returning boomerang of self-recognition, which makes one cackle with mad delight at the absurdity of human behavior.
This is not just a rom-com for discontented lovers; it’s a humorous hymn to self-acceptance and the freeing force laughter brings. You will be one hundred percent convinced that the breakup of your own relationship was always less tricky and complicated than depicted in this book. You’ll also feel alert to any men whose socks wear sandals, but at least you won’t finish reading having lost faith—there is still enough reason for a good laugh and perhaps a worthy block.
It's got no mistakes because it's edited professionally, and there's nothing I can't like about it. I'd give this 5 out of 5 stars. The 28 disastrous dates are now in the spotlight, and so is the woman who was brave enough to lift her veil of shamefulness and dare to confess how embarrassing some encounters can be with weirdos. However, remember to keep low hopes and be ready for horrific humor. Dates are unpredictable, after all; at least they won’t trigger “28 Disastrous Dates” will prove to be a page-turner for all those who have even once swiped right in the Tinderverse; witty it is, largely relatable, and with some of that heartwarming content, we could not just recommend strongly enough.
******
28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Somawise by Luke Sniewski
