Thank you Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for providing me with a copy of Curtis Sittenfeld’s latest novel, Romantic Comedy.
Sally is a staff writer for an SNL-esque variety show called Night Owls. She holds her writing and comedy skills in high esteem, but feels like she is the funny friend, the one behind the scenes, the one who blends into the crowd, rather than standing out. Dating hasn’t been easy. She finds herself in a series of lackluster, sex-based relationships, where she doesn’t feel like she can share her true self, including details of her employment.
Noah is an aging rock star who is booked on Night Owls as both the musical guest and weekly host. Sally and Noah have an immediately connection and easy banter, which almost goes further, but comes to an abrupt halt due to a misunderstanding.
Years later, during the 2020 pandemic, Sally and Noah reconnect through email, laying misunderstandings to rest and deepening their connection. They decide to meet-up, Sally driving to Noah’s mansion in California to become part of his “bubble.” However, under the surface, both Noah and Sally have personal doubts and misconceptions that threaten to prevent a relationship from happening. Can they overcome their issues to allow their relationship to blossom?
I’m a huge fan of Sittenfeld’s writing. She’s one of those authors that I’ll read anything she writes and Romantic Comedy was on the top of my most anticipated reads of the year. I was not disappointed. I fell for Sally and Noah’s messy romance. They are both likable characters and although the backdrop is flashy, with Sally’s television career and Noah’s rockstar mansion, at the heart of it, these are two very normal people.
A huge part of Sally’s hang-up is she can’t imagine a bigger life for herself. Even though Noah is clearly into her, and she into him, Sally will not allow this to be a possibility. She pushes him away. She even writes a sketch for the week that he is host which involves a Pete Davidson/Ariana Grande type relationship, playing on the idea that an unattractive guy who is funny, can date a gorgeous woman. Sally writes this as a joke for a fellow writer, who is in that type of relationship with a celebrity, but in reality, Sally is exploring the concept based on her own feelings towards Noah. She feels like she is the “Pete Davidson” type and yet, as a woman, it would be impossible for Noah to fall for her. The role reversal of the sexes does not allow for a hot guy to fall for the funny woman. However, this is clearly not how Noah views her or the situation, making the sketch quite insulting. Additionally, Sally is so steeped in her own insecurities, she can’t even realize that Noah has his own insecurities.
As I mentioned, the magic in this story is that the leads are very ordinary people and this is how they eventually meet in the middle. Noah pushes past Sally’s insecurities and helps her during a family crisis, assisting her with caregiving for her beloved step-father. As someone who has been a caregiver for elderly relatives, I found this part of the storyline to be refreshing and honest. After all, at the end of the day, the private jets and premiere parties are meaningless, if the person that you love isn’t there when life is most difficult. Romantic Comedy is at its best in these smaller, less flashy moments, when the love between Noah and Sally shines brightest.
Romantic Comedy is an engaging and lovely novel by one of my favorite contemporary writers. It’s a good pick for someone who wants a funny, mostly light-hearted story with a dash a glamour and a bit of depth.