Title: Thirtynothing
Author: Lisa Jewell
First published January 1, 2000
327 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780452282124 (ISBN10: 0452282128)
Rating: 3.6
Overview
Lisa Jewell’s latest romantic comedy, Thirtynothing, follows the lives of four modern individuals as they navigate their thirties in search of love, sex, and the perfect relationship. Dig Ryan’s chance encounter with his high school sweetheart, Delilah, on his thirtieth birthday sets off a chain reaction of events that challenges the boundaries of friendship and love.
Nadine, Dig’s best friend, is determined not to let Delilah steal the spotlight again, and turns to her first love, Phil, for support. Thirtynothing is a heartwarming and humorous tale about the ups and downs of growing up and growing old, and will captivate fans of Jewell’s previous bestsellers.
About the Author
Meet Lisa Jewell, a British author born in London in 1968. She made her debut in the literary world with the novel Ralph’s Party, which became the best-selling debut novel of 1999.
Since then, Lisa has written over twenty novels, including a series of dark psychological thrillers such as The Girls, Then She Was Gone, The Family Upstairs, and The Night She Disappeared.
Lisa’s work has been published in over twenty-five languages worldwide, and she has secured the number one spot on the bestseller lists of both the New York Times and Sunday Times. She now resides in north London with her husband, two teenage daughters, and the world’s best dog.
If you’re a fan of Lisa’s work, be sure to check out her Facebook page.
Editoral Review
In January 2000, Lisa Jewell published Thirtynothing, a novel that explores the complexities of growing up and accepting adult responsibilities. The novel falls under the genre of contemporary womens fiction and is seen as a hallmark of the genre due to its insightful thematic explorations and its relatable characters.
Thirtynothing follows the life of Lydia, a thirty-year-old woman living in London with her best friend, Tom. As Lydia struggles to come to terms with her approaching thirtieth birthday and the sense that her life is no longer on track, she embarks on a series of adventures that force her to confront her deepest fears and desires.
Alongside Lydias journey, readers meet a cast of diverse and dynamic characters who help her navigate her way in the world. Jewells novel is a masterclass in character development.
Lydia is a flawed but empathetic protagonist, and Jewell does an excellent job of breathing life into her supporting cast. Each character feels like a fully realized human being, with their own hopes, fears, and motivations.
Furthermore, Jewells pacing is excellent, ensuring that each plot development feels organic and earned. One of the most significant strengths of Thirtynothing is its handling of themes.
Jewell explores issues like identity, friendship, and romance with sensitivity and nuance. Moreover, the novel provides an authentic insight into the cultural moment in which it was written.
The characters’ struggles and triumphs feel rooted in the particularities of 2000s London, making the book a fascinating historical artifact as well as a captivating read. While Thirtynothing is an excellent novel, it is not without its flaws.
The plot can occasionally meander, and some readers may find aspects of the storytelling overly sentimental. Nevertheless, these faults are minor quibbles in a book that is otherwise so well-crafted.
Overall, Thirtynothing is an accomplished and compelling novel, and fans of contemporary womens fiction will undoubtedly find much to appreciate here. It is a book that speaks directly to the challenges and joys of adulthood, and which ultimately offers a message of hope and self-acceptance.
As such, it is a novel that deserves to be widely read and celebrated for many years to come. The Washington Post gives Thirtynothing five stars out of five, calling it a “must-read for any lover of contemporary women’s fiction.”
