Bianca's Reviews > Ghosts

Ghosts by Dolly Alderton
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really liked it
bookshelves: 2021, audiobook, contemporary, female-author, general-fiction, british-lit

4.5

As much as I was telling myself that I was getting a bit tired of reading contemporary books written by Millenials about Millenials, I couldn't stop myself from placing a hold on Ghosts after reading some reviews and watching an interview with the author.

If I hear anyone say that sexual orientation is a choice, I will just send them to hear women's dating stories. It makes no sense that women would put themselves through all the BS to be with half baked, men- babies, who can't commit to a pair of socks, who always think the grass is greener, while they put almost no effort in a relationship (#NotAllMen) - and that's the "good guys", "the good on paper guys".

I liked this book from the very beginning. The narrator is Nina Dean, 32 years old, a food writer, who has finally decided to join the online dating game, after two years in the singledom, following the breakup of her long term relationship. Nina is quite content - she's got a job she likes, a mortgage, she's attractive enough, but she'd love to find a partner, maybe start a family. I mean how dare she? ;-) Enter the dating app Links, where one swipes left and right, through a multitude of potential matches. I enjoyed some of the observations she makes about dating, apps, the type of people on dating apps and so on. And wouldn't you know it, she strikes it lucky on her first date. Max is 37, an accountant, super tall, with rugged outdoorsy skin, curly dishevelled hair. He even reads. Books. The literary fiction kind. And he says the right things without seeming too sleek or sleazy. Nina - one of the most level headed female characters I've come across in novels by and about young women - falls in love.
Meanwhile, on the family front, things are not going very well. Her beloved father, now in his seventies, has dementia and is getting more forgetful and confused. Nina's mum, who's not terribly close to her, is not on the same page regarding her husband's care. It's hard for everyone.

Alderton wrote a very relatable and readable novel that looks at relationships in all their many forms - friendship, familial, amorous, even neighbourly. She takes a good look at ageing and loss as well. Unlike other novels I read in recent years, Alderton didn't go for the shock value, for the overtly descriptive sex acts and obviously weird characters. I also liked that, for a change, our main character is not a damaged young woman (I mean we're all damaged in some ways, but she doesn't have any traumas that needed addressing).

Anyway, I'd better finish this overly long review. Thanks for reading my ramblings.

NB: The audiobook narrator did a great job. The only thing the bugged me was that the Italian neighbour's accent sounded Balcanic and not Italian in the least.
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Reading Progress

February 26, 2021 – Started Reading
February 26, 2021 – Shelved
March 1, 2021 – Shelved as: 2021
March 1, 2021 – Shelved as: audiobook
March 1, 2021 – Shelved as: contemporary
March 1, 2021 – Shelved as: female-author
March 1, 2021 – Shelved as: general-fiction
March 1, 2021 – Shelved as: british-lit
March 1, 2021 – Finished Reading

Comments Showing 1-25 of 25 (25 new)

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message 1: by Debbie (last edited Mar 01, 2021 04:13AM) (new) - added it

Debbie Love your review—I would never even consider this one normally, but you make it sound sort of good. I read the two quotes on the book page and they were smart. So, sigh, another one to add, for days when I want something light. I get sick of millennial reads too a lot of the time. And by the way, your review is NOT too long and you aren’t rambling. : )


Bianca Debbie wrote: "Love your review—I would never even consider this one normally, but you make it sound sort of good. I read the two quotes on the book page and they were smart. So, sigh, another one to add, for day..."

Thanks, Debbie. I do want to keep in touch with the younger gens and all that, but I also get depressed bcs most relationships are so f...ed up, there's so much hedonism, drinking and drugging and I generally end up feeling low. Thank goodness for the lighter reads.


message 3: by Lisa (NY) (new)

Lisa (NY) I agree with Debbie - you made me want to read this!


Bianca Lisa wrote: "I agree with Debbie - you made me want to read this!"

I've looked through some reviews, mostly by younger readers, and I'm amazed by the very divergent opinions. I enjoyed the narrator's voice very much, so I recommend the audiobook.


message 5: by Susanne (new)

Susanne Great review Bianca! This sounds great! (And I so agree with every sentiment you listed here!! Thanks for that)


message 6: by Candi (new)

Candi Great review, Bianca! Hmmm... you've piqued my interest!


Bianca Susanne wrote: "Great review Bianca! This sounds great! (And I so agree with every sentiment you listed here!! Thanks for that)"

Thanks, Susanne. :-)


Bianca Candi wrote: "Great review, Bianca! Hmmm... you've piqued my interest!"

Thanks, Candi. I know your TBR is huge, just like mine. Many times, I just pick a book based on what comes my way - this one was available on the library overdrive, as an audiobook, which is always easier to squeeze in.


message 9: by Margitte (new)

Margitte Great review, Bianca. Not my type of book, but your review is meaningful and necessary. Loved it.


Bianca Margitte wrote: "Great review, Bianca. Not my type of book, but your review is meaningful and necessary. Loved it."

Thanks, Margitte. X


Angela M is taking a break. Bianca, I won’t be reading this one, but I love what you say about “why would women put themselves through all the BS...” perfect !


message 12: by Canadian Jen (new)

Canadian Jen I agree with Angela and everything you've said. Terrific review!


Bianca Angela M wrote: "Bianca, I won’t be reading this one, but I love what you say about “why would women put themselves through all the BS...” perfect !"

Thanks, Angela. I've some single girlfriends who haven't yet given up on men - the stories they tell me, it's so depressing.


Bianca Jen wrote: "I agree with Angela and everything you've said. Terrific review!"

Thank you, Jen. :-)


message 15: by Jaidee (new) - added it

Jaidee Nicely reviewed Bianca ! Enjoyed your thoughts on this.


message 16: by JanB (new)

JanB I hear you on being tired of millennial authors writing millennial characters. But this one sounds quite good. Good for you for giving it a chance and finding a gem :)


Bianca Jaidee wrote: "Nicely reviewed Bianca ! Enjoyed your thoughts on this."

Thanks, Jaidee. :-)


Bianca JanB wrote: "I hear you on being tired of millennial authors writing millennial characters. But this one sounds quite good. Good for you for giving it a chance and finding a gem :)"

Thanks, Jan. I realise it's a kind of a silly thing to say, as what are they supposed to write about, retired people?


message 19: by Vanessa (new) - added it

Vanessa Great review. I’m not ashamed to admit I love a contemporary read, I try to stay in touch with the younger generation so books like this make us “oldies” feel a little more in touch with what’s happening out there. Makes me glad I’m past all the dating rigmarole though! Sounds awful!


Bianca Vanessa wrote: "Great review. I’m not ashamed to admit I love a contemporary read, I try to stay in touch with the younger generation so books like this make us “oldies” feel a little more in touch with what’s hap..."

Thanks, Vanessa. I like reading them as well, to a great extent, but I was getting a bit tired of them, especially since they can be kind of depressing, I guess that applies to most literary fiction books.


message 21: by Vanessa (new) - added it

Vanessa I noticed those are the books I naturally gravitate to, the stories always have a depressive theme, I’m consciously trying to mix it up abit.


Regina Fabulous review Bianca! This was a 4.5 star read for me too. ;)


Bianca Regina wrote: "Fabulous review Bianca! This was a 4.5 star read for me too. ;)"

Vanessa wrote: "I noticed those are the books I naturally gravitate to, the stories always have a depressive theme, I’m consciously trying to mix it up abit."

Apologies to both of you for having missed your comments. Damn, GR notifications.


message 24: by Holly (new)

Holly  B (slower pace!) Glad to hear the narrator did a great job. Helpful review Bianca!


Andrea I loved this one too, Bianca. So, so good.


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