Scan barcode
A review by vswizzle666
Funny You Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
5.0
I would watch the HELL out of this movie.
When I think of a true, honest-to-goodness romance novel, this is the stuff I’m looking for. Easy to read, full of fun and heart and humor, something that gives it a bit of a twist. The writing is colorful, the journalism is woven into the flashbacks thoughtfully, and, save for a rushed third act conflict, the pacing feels right.
Had Sussman nailed the conflict and pushed it just a bit earlier so that the ending gives you time to sit with the very real realities of finding and navigating love in your 30s and 40s, I’d call this a near gold standard. Sure, there are aspects to this that are almost so ridiculous they lack satire, but I think this book knows that it’s selling a fantasy, with a hint of realism. Celebrity journalistic writing, reality TV, movies- all are hard to really nail in the oversaturated world of the romance novel. But Sussman gets damn close.
Excited to read more of this woman’s works for adults and even more excited for when Glenn Powell (or better yet THE Chris Evans, whose 2011 GQ interview is what I believe this is loosely based off of?) inevitably gets offered this script adaptation in a couple years.
When I think of a true, honest-to-goodness romance novel, this is the stuff I’m looking for. Easy to read, full of fun and heart and humor, something that gives it a bit of a twist. The writing is colorful, the journalism is woven into the flashbacks thoughtfully, and, save for a rushed third act conflict, the pacing feels right.
Had Sussman nailed the conflict and pushed it just a bit earlier so that the ending gives you time to sit with the very real realities of finding and navigating love in your 30s and 40s, I’d call this a near gold standard. Sure, there are aspects to this that are almost so ridiculous they lack satire, but I think this book knows that it’s selling a fantasy, with a hint of realism. Celebrity journalistic writing, reality TV, movies- all are hard to really nail in the oversaturated world of the romance novel. But Sussman gets damn close.
Excited to read more of this woman’s works for adults and even more excited for when Glenn Powell (or better yet THE Chris Evans, whose 2011 GQ interview is what I believe this is loosely based off of?) inevitably gets offered this script adaptation in a couple years.