Romantic Comedy

***SPOILERS HIDDEN***

Maybe Curtis Sittenfeld just needed a break. That’s the only thing I can think after finishing this cutesy book by an author who can, and often does, write such incisive, multi-faceted literary fiction. Romantic Comedy is about thirty-six-year-old Sally Milz, who has a plum job writing sketches for a Saturday Night Live–type show called The Night Owls. She hasn’t had a serious romantic relationship in years when one day she meets Noah Brewster, a heartthrob musician who’ll be hosting that week’s show. She feels instant chemistry with this man, someone she’s always dismissed as brainless and vain, but doubts the chemistry because she’s an unglamorous “commoner” while he’s alluring enough to date show more anyone he wants. This book is exactly what it looks like: a perfectly pleasant, entertaining story that unfolds how readers will expect it to, right down to a happily ever after. It will easily satisfy those wanting a happy, non-taxing read. It can't hold a candle to many of Sittenfeld’s other books, but I did like it.

However, Sittenfeld is one of my top-ten favorite fiction writers because she goes the extra mile. Even though she could get away with skimming the surface of her themes--her books could still be enjoyed, even admired--she just can’t not explore deeper. She surprises readers who may expect something straightforward but get that added something that gives a story wow factor and makes it memorable. I read [b:Rodham|50253429|Rodham|Curtis Sittenfeld|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1580749557l/50253429._SY75_.jpg|75164713] two years ago and [b:Prep|9844|Prep|Curtis Sittenfeld|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1386925666l/9844._SY75_.jpg|2317177] and [b:American Wife|2807199|American Wife|Curtis Sittenfeld|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1441087673l/2807199._SY75_.jpg|2833088] years before that, yet they’re well alive in my mind and are books I recommend often because their plots travel in unexpected directions and go there in probing emotion. Romantic Comedy risks being unmemorable because it doesn’t venture out or probe--at least not totally. When the plot thickens, Sittenfeld can’t resist being Sittenfeld with some scenes showing Sally struggling to accept that someone so handsome and desirable could be interested in her. These scenes briefly comment on both the strange celebrity-commoner divide and the idea that, looks-wise, society wants couples to be on the same par. But aside from these small smarter parts, Romantic Comedy feels like Sittenfeld pretending to be superficial and breezy. And in the end, she did accomplish that. Her newest book is only another trivial romance in a swelling sea of trivial contemporary romances, its bubblegum-pink cover art mutely acknowledging its bubblegum plot.

Nevertheless, one Sittenfeld signature is all over this book: the extensive research she put in. Before writing, Sittenfeld researches her topics to death, and she did that for late-night comedy programming by reading (articles and numerous books), listening (podcasts), and viewing (a documentary and Saturday Night Live’s YouTube channel). All that work comes through overwhelmingly. Chapter one--which, at nearly 120 pages, is more like “Part One”--is devoted entirely to Sally’s career and feels like an excuse for Sittenfeld to show off all that her research taught her. She treats readers to the nitty-gritty of the job, right down to the hour: The chapter is divided into sections headed by a timestamp. Her dedication to researching is admirable, and all the behind-the-scenes information is interesting, but her presence is acutely felt in this chapter, while the romance is neglected until Part Two (chapter two, technically). The storytelling is lopsided and the pacing off. She so obviously overdid chapter one that I’m surprised she didn’t notice the need for restraint.

Chapter two is better, but romance-writing isn’t really in Sittenfeld’s wheelhouse. Her plot lacks romance and passion, and interaction between the leads involves too much hyperactive, buddy-ish bantering. Nevertheless, lots of readers will love this book, and that’s understandable: It’s uplifting, a pure fantasy escape read offering a vivid and true-to-life depiction of a unique career. The male lead is one-dimensional but a perfect gentleman, saintly to a degree that isn’t laughable only because the genre forgives it; in romance, realism isn’t the point. And Sally is a character who can be rooted for, despite really needing to dial down her exhausting exuberance. I went with the flow of all this, but unfortunately, I could never feel more than like for this novel because Sittenfeld followed the unspoken rule that romance books can’t be smart or hard-hitting. Except when it comes to research, this book doesn’t do full justice to her talent--and it could have. Romantic Comedy is worth reading, but to really know and appreciate this author, it’s not the best choice. show less

I don't think I've ever read a book that lays a character's insecurities and inner monologues bare in a better way. In addition to baring Sally's soul, it's fast paced, witty and features a great supporting cast of characters. I very much enjoyed every word

Sally is a writer for a sketch comedy show (obviously Saturday Night Live) and the first section of the novel covers a single week in which she works on a sketch called The Danny Horst Rule, about how ordinary-looking male comedians often end up with gorgeous stars, but the reverse never happens. She also works a lot with the week's host, a gorgeous musician. You can see where this is going, right? Yes, and also this is a great how-the-sausage-is-made look at a writer's job at SNL. I enjoyed this section enormously. Talented people doing a complicated thing and two witty people flirting? Five stars, no notes.

In the second section, all tension and interest is bled out of the novel. Sally and the hunky musician are quarantined in show more different states, he in his California mansion, she in Kansas City, living with an elderly relative. So they email. And the emails are exactly what would flow between two people who don't know each other well. Lots of do-you-have-any-pets? kind of questions, and long descriptions of their daily routines. There is no man hunky enough for me to maintain interest through a description of his work-out routine. But I made it through this section. One star, would edit down to six brief text messages.

The third section is about two people in their late thirties figuring out how to make a relationship work. It's nice enough, and who is going to complain about reading about nice people doing nice things and settling into a life of obscene wealth together? Me, a little. Happy for them, would rather read about almost anything else. Three stars, mainly because Sittenfeld is a very good writer who can make buying a shower chair at Target almost worth reading about.

So a mixed bag. show less

This filled a hole I didn't even know I had! Who knew I needed a little SNL inspired romcom?!? This book was witty, charming, and so much fun. Hell it made me want to start watching SNL live again (it's been years since I've done that!). Sally is a writer at TNO, a live comedy sketch show (think SNL) who is perfectly content to stay behind the scenes and write. When Noah Brewster comes on to host the show AND perform (he's a pop star) she finds herself working with him a lot. There might be sparks or she might be reading way too into it. Romantic Comedy is about trusting your gut, letting your guard down, and believing that you are worthy. Laugh out loud funny - I adored all the characters - such a fun read!

Just wonderful. I loved Sally, and spending time with her backstage at Saturday Night Live (renamed, but the author clearly did her homework) in the first act was a treat. The second, set during the 2020 lockdowns, felt uncomfortably real. Very highly recommended.

I strongly dislike romantic comedies, be they books or movies - but I LOVED this book. The first section, a behind-the-scenes rendering of an episode of a SNL-like TV show from the point of view of Sally, a writer, was just fascinating. Everything about it was fascinating - the writing craft, the other characters, Sally's doubts, and her overwhelming attraction to Noah, a famous singer appearing on and hosting the show. The second section, taking place during the pandemic, was interesting because of that and because it portrayed how Sally and Noah were getting to know each other, dragged just a bit (but didn't bring down my five stars!). And then the last section, where they got together and lived happily ever after, was just so show more satisfying. The only thing better would have been if Noah were real, and if this had been a memoir. show less

Romance is not my genre, and I've had mixed experiences with Sittenfeld's novels, so it was a lovely surprise to find myself so immersed in this novel that I stayed up into the wee hours to finish it. I even loved the lockdown email exchange, and I usually loathe epistolary storytelling. It's emotionally real, the friendships are jealousy-inducing, and it's so sexy when the guy is like, "I'm sorry, I said something wrong. Please let me clarify."