Good Material

Alderton suggests in Good Material that relationships are complex, but confronting the inevitable uncertainty of loving others nurtures progress. The story examines how even the most outwardly stable relationships can quickly crumble. The theme of unpredictability permeates the novel’s relationships, leaving Andy to deal with the complex, often unexplained dynamics of love and loss. For example, he’s entirely unprepared for how his breakup with Jen affects his friendships: “There are so many hidden miniature break-ups within a big break-up” (64). His realizations about such unpredictability in the text underpin his character development as he learns how to manage relationships and stop outsourcing his own self-esteem.

The novel questions the idea that relationships follow a set route. Instead, they zigzag, loop, and challenge expectations. Through Andy, the narrative portrays experiences the desperate need, impulsive decisions, and elusive closure that accompany the dissolution of a romantic relationship. The confusion comes not just from the breakup itself but also from the aftermath, “The Madness,” as Emery calls it, which includes unanswered texts, obscure social media posts, and lingering memories. Andy’s search for answers proves futile, and he struggles with the impossibility of resolution. Breaking up with Jen forces Andy to reflect on all his previous relationships, and he finds that proper closure is impossible since relationships do not always end neatly, and emotional loose ends persist.