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Half His Age by Jeanette McCurdy — We Have Thoughts

  • Writer: genredpodcast
    genredpodcast
  • 2 days ago
  • 3 min read

We need to talk about Half His Age… because what exactly did we just read?


This week on Genre’d, we’re diving into Jeanette McCurdy’s debut novel, a coming-of-age story that is equal parts uncomfortable, sharp, and impossible to ignore. It’s giving Lolita… but if Lolita told the story herself. And yes, it raises way more questions than answers.


But first, we have things to say.


We’re celebrating our 20th episode (!!), reflecting on how we’ve somehow read 20 books in under a year, and spiraling about bangs, slick-back buns, and the deeply personal journey of figuring out what your face looks like on camera.



⚠️ Spoiler Warning

The first part of this episode is spoiler-free. Then we get into everything.



📚 What We Cover


Genre & Vibes

  • Literary fiction

  • Coming of age

  • Dark, uncomfortable, and very unromantic

  • Short, punchy chapters with a very specific narrative voice


What It’s Giving

  • Lolita, but from the girl’s POV

  • Slums of Beverly Hills energy

  • “This is not a romance, but there is a relationship”

  • Emotional discomfort from start to finish


Characters to Watch


Waldo

17, deeply observant, deeply chaotic, and constantly seeking validation. She’s not a perfect victim, and the book makes that very clear.


Mr. Korgy

A deeply mediocre man in his 30s who thinks he’s more interesting than he is. He is not.


Waldo’s Mom

Emotionally unavailable, validation-seeking, and honestly one of the most devastating parts of this book.



💭 Our Take (Spoiler-Free)


This is not a book you “like.” It’s a book you think about.


It’s uncomfortable on purpose, and it works. The relationship is never romantic, the tension is never sexy, and the entire story forces you to sit in the question of who actually has the power here.



🚨 Spoilers Ahead


The Relationship


What starts as a “forbidden” dynamic quickly becomes something else entirely.


Waldo believes she’s in control at first. But as the relationship evolves, it becomes clear that the power shifts constantly and uncomfortably between them.


And when she finally “gets” him… he’s just a guy. A boring, disappointing, deeply average guy.


The Scene We Cannot Stop Thinking About


There is one scene (you’ll know it when you read it) that is honestly one of the most haunting things we’ve ever read.


It’s shocking, deeply uncomfortable, and somehow still feels… possible. Which makes it worse.



Themes That Actually Matter

  • validation vs intimacy

  • attention vs love

  • consumerism as coping

  • what happens when every adult in your life fails you


Also: the most accurate depiction of stress shopping and “save for later” behavior we’ve ever seen.



⭐ Final Thoughts


Katy: Didn’t like it. Uncomfortable, no real payoff.

Elyse: Not a favorite, but can’t stop thinking about it.


Which honestly might be the point.



📖 Fast Facts

  • Author: Jeanette McCurdy

  • Genre: Literary fiction

  • Tropes: Age gap, unreliable narrator, coming of age

  • Format: Short chapters, first-person narration



💬 Join the Conversation

Did this book feel like commentary… or just chaos?And more importantly: who do you think actually had the power?


🎧 Listen & Follow

Full episode available now on Spotify & AppleFollow us @genredpodcast for more chaotic book talk


❓ Mini FAQ


Is Half His Age worth reading?

If you like uncomfortable, thought-provoking literary fiction, yes. If you want romance… absolutely not.


What genre is Half His Age?

Literary fiction with coming-of-age and psychological themes.


Is Half His Age a romance?

No. There is a relationship, but it is intentionally not romantic.

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