Half His Age

Half His Age cover
Good Books rating 4.0
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  • ID: 10907
  • Added: 2026-02-08
  • Updated: 2026-02-08
  • Reviews: 3
Reviews
The New York Times · 2026-01-18
great 4.00

The book is laced with explicit and disturbing sex scenes, making it a bold and provocative read. The reviewer appreciates McCurdy's willingness to tackle challenging subjects head-on.

The New York Times review focuses on the explicit and disturbing nature of the sex scenes in the book, noting that it makes for a bold and provocative read. They appreciate McCurdy's willingness to tackle challenging subjects and her ability to create a narrative that is both unsettling and thought-provoking. The reviewer finds the book to be a significant contribution to contemporary literature, highlighting McCurdy's courage in exploring taboo topics. They also note that the book is a follow-up to McCurdy's previous work, indicating a continuity in her exploration of challenging subjects.


Quick quotes

    This is the cover of 'Half His Age,' by Jennette McCurdy. The novel — which is laced with explicit and disturbing sex scenes between Waldo.

    Half His Age is a bleak, often hilarious and uncomfortable triumph that underscores McCurdy's talent for focusing in on the multilayered nature of human experiences.

    The book is a highly anticipated, funny, sad, thrilling novel about sex, class, desire, and power.

The Guardian · 2026-01-14
brilliant 4.00

The book is a bleak yet hilarious exploration of complex themes, showcasing McCurdy's talent for capturing multifaceted human experiences. It is an uncomfortable but triumphant read.

The Guardian's review highlights the book's ability to balance bleakness with humor, making it a compelling read. They appreciate McCurdy's skill in delving into the complexities of human nature, particularly around themes of power and desire. The reviewer finds the book to be an uncomfortable yet triumphant exploration of these themes, underscoring McCurdy's talent for storytelling. They also note that the book is a follow-up to McCurdy's previous work, indicating a continuity in her exploration of challenging subjects.


Quick quotes

    Half His Age is a bleak, often hilarious and uncomfortable triumph that underscores McCurdy's talent for focusing in on the multilayered nature of human experiences.

    The book is a highly anticipated, funny, sad, thrilling novel about sex, class, desire, and power.

    The writing is witty, sharp, and bittersweet.

The Independent · Daisy Lester · 2026-01-14
good 4.00

The pacing is excellent, making it a quick read, and the exploration of themes like power and loneliness is deftly handled. The reviewer found the book engaging and thought-provoking.

Daisy Lester from The Independent praises the book's pacing, noting that she read it in just two sittings. They highlight the deft exploration of themes such as power, grooming, class, desire, and loneliness. Lester finds the book to be a compelling read that effectively captures the nuances of these complex themes. They appreciate McCurdy's ability to create a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a standout in contemporary fiction.


Quick quotes

    The pacing is excellent – I read it in just two sittings – and the themes of power, grooming, class, desire and loneliness are deftly explored.

    The writing is witty, sharp, and bittersweet.

    I particularly loved the parallels between Waldo and her needy mother, who is caught up in her own world.