Half His Age: A Novel (Unabridged)
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4.1 • 377 Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of I’m Glad My Mom Died comes “a thorny examination of power, lust, shame and rage” (Los Angeles Times) from “a writer able to capture some of the darkest parts of human nature with unflinching honesty and devastating humor” (NPR)
“Unapologetic and undeniable . . . If there was ever any doubt whether the narrative command that Jennette McCurdy displayed in her bestselling memoir I’m Glad My Mom Died might translate to fiction, let it henceforth be put to rest.”—Elle
Waldo is ravenous. Horny. Blunt. Naive. Wise. Impulsive. Lonely. Angry. Forceful. Hurting. Perceptive. Endlessly wanting. And the thing she wants most of all: Mr. Korgy, her creative writing teacher with the wife and the kid and the mortgage and the bills, with the dead dreams and the atrophied looks and the growing paunch. She doesn’t know why she wants him. Is it his passion? His life experience? The fact that he knows books and films and things that she doesn’t? Or is it purer than that, rooted in their unlikely connection, their kindred spirits, the similar filter with which they each take in the world around them? Or, perhaps, it’s just enough that he sees her when no one else does.
Startlingly perceptive, mordantly funny, and keenly poignant, Half His Age is a rich character study of a yearning seventeen-year-old who disregards all obstacles—or attempts to overcome them—in her effort to be seen, to be desired, to be loved.
Customer Reviews
4 Stars Because It's Bold, Not Perfect
This book takes you on a ride!!
This is a fictional novel from the author of “I'm Glad My Mom Died”, and it's a completely different beast. The story dives into some dark places: power dynamics, desire, the darker parts of human nature; and it doesn't pull punches. It's devastating and hilarious in equal measure, and Jennette's ability to capture those extremes is just something else.
This novel is RAW. Be prepared. It's raw, sexy, unfiltered, and downright nitty gritty and plain filthy at times. I came out of it liking it, but this is not a book for the faint of heart. It's a thorny examination of power, lust, shame, and rage, and Jennette leans into all of it with unflinching honesty.
Now, the audiobook? I'll be honest—her narration felt a bit monotone and rushed at times. It didn't completely ruin it for me, and I still enjoyed it overall, but it's worth noting if you're someone who really cares about narrator performance. That said, hearing it in her voice still adds a layer of intimacy that text alone can't capture.
This is definitely a 4-star book for me. It's not perfect, but it's memorable, it's bold, and it sticks with you. If you're willing to go somewhere raw and unfiltered, this is a ride worth taking.
Interesting POV
I did like that the author did a great job at NOT romanticizing this situation. Many miss this point. Very excited for the future works of this author! <3
Couldn’t stop listening
Great fiction by Jenette. Couldn’t stop listening to her voice talk about her experience. There’s a lot of issues that are unpacked, and it was great to escape and listen. She reads it with a voice that you believe.