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A review by lubleu
Square One by Nell Frizzell
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
We're taught that by the age of thirty, we should have: an established career, a successful relationship (maybe even a ring) and bought property.
Hanna is back at square one. She's broken up with her long-term but unfulfilling boyfriend, swamped by wedding invitations and pregnancy announcements and living with her single father, sleeping under Jungle Book bedding and with no prospect of finding somewhere else.
The writing style was the most compelling aspect of this book; it is poignant and meaningful but remains light and pacy. It's about 20% in that the plot truly begins so it was the writing that kept me reading. Hanna is a messy but honest main character, and while you don't root for everything to go well for her, you are genuinely interested in the turns she takes.
It is a humorous book, although this is in a literary fashion. Throughout, there are well-considered comments on life at thirty. Many of them leave you feeling thoroughly seen, as Frizzell has noticed elements of your life that you had never realised before but now can't ignore.
Hanna, a woman who finds drama in an M&S changing room and has insightful thoughts whilst having drinks at the pub, is such a relatable and, therefore, endearing character. She doesn't get her life neatly packaged in a bow, there isn't a beautiful romance to make it all better and there isn't a perfect solution to all of her woes, but she does her best to tackle it all with dignity.
Hanna is back at square one. She's broken up with her long-term but unfulfilling boyfriend, swamped by wedding invitations and pregnancy announcements and living with her single father, sleeping under Jungle Book bedding and with no prospect of finding somewhere else.
The writing style was the most compelling aspect of this book; it is poignant and meaningful but remains light and pacy. It's about 20% in that the plot truly begins so it was the writing that kept me reading. Hanna is a messy but honest main character, and while you don't root for everything to go well for her, you are genuinely interested in the turns she takes.
It is a humorous book, although this is in a literary fashion. Throughout, there are well-considered comments on life at thirty. Many of them leave you feeling thoroughly seen, as Frizzell has noticed elements of your life that you had never realised before but now can't ignore.
Hanna, a woman who finds drama in an M&S changing room and has insightful thoughts whilst having drinks at the pub, is such a relatable and, therefore, endearing character. She doesn't get her life neatly packaged in a bow, there isn't a beautiful romance to make it all better and there isn't a perfect solution to all of her woes, but she does her best to tackle it all with dignity.