Review of 28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir

[Caterine Potes Morales]

[Following is a volunteer review of "28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir" by Poppy Mortimer.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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Have you ever been catfished? Has an older guy, like a 70-year-old, tried to seduce you in the middle of a yacht class? Have you ever third-wheeled the relationship between a man and his dog on your own date? What about all of the above and more? Well, that is exactly what you are in for when reading “28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humorous Memoir” by Poppy Mortimer.

I must be honest, I am not big on the dating game, so just the fact that I was going to read the memoirs of someone who had 28 first (and not-so-good) dates was a surprise. But it was interesting to read about how some people are really into the dating environment, especially the online dating space. Poppy does an amazing job of recapitulating 28 dates (even more if we count the speed dating experience) that spanned two decades and three continents. As the book is a memoir, we get the pleasure of having a first-person narrator that elevates the experience, as we can empathize and connect better with the author.

The book has a good structure, making the reading easy and comfortable. Poppy retells every date using the same process: she gives each date a name (referring to specific traits of the men involved), she gives information about her age each time, how she met the men, and how the process of setting up the date went. I liked this choice as it helped the reader see her evolution through the years, starting with a young and expectant 20-year-old Poppy and finishing with a more mature, experienced, and successful 40-year-old. Also, because some of the dates were set in Australia, others in England, and some in the USA, we get to learn about those different cultures through her narration—not only about the countries and cities themselves but also about the kinds of men you might run into in those places. Another detail that I found great was that the author not only retold her experiences but also included a paragraph about the lessons learned from each date. Since the beginning, the author acknowledges that one of the aims of the book was to share her experiences so other people who have gone through similar situations don’t feel alone, but also to see these events as a perfect way to learn about oneself, what one needs, and what one wants not only in a partner but also in life. So, the memoir leaves the reader with several messages about self-discovery, happiness, and self-esteem.

The book was flawlessly edited, and I loved the cover that uses details to hint at some of the disastrous dates. I give this book 5 out of 5 stars; I found nothing to dislike. In fact, I loved it! It is one of the most entertaining books I have read in a while. It made me cringe, it made me laugh out loud, and it made me feel sympathy for our narrator. I recommend it to everyone, whether you have had terrible date experiences or not because the book is a delight to read. If you are a man and do not know if this would be your kind of read, especially because the book is female-empowering, I would still recommend it, as the author herself says, this could serve as a guide on how NOT to behave on dates.

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28 Disastrous Dates: A (Mostly True) Humourous Memoir
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[Kutloano Makhuvhela]

This sounds like a hilarious, light book that one could enjoy if they are into that kind of stuff. I have never been to this much dates, so I think I would love delving into it for the laughs and to assuage my curiosity. Thank you for the review.