Green Dot by Madeleine Gray – Book Review

Whether you’re in your twenties, heading towards them, or have since surpassed those years, this is a book we should ALL be adding to our TBR…

From the off, I’ll say: Green Dot* gets the green light!

Madeleine Gray’s debut novel, Green Dot*, gives Conversations with Friends vibes, but set between Australia and England, only the characters are far more likeable than Frances and Bobbi in Rooney’s novel (imo, ofc).

We follow self-aware Hera, who writes with hindsight about her decision to have an affair with a married man. There are no spoilers, only the wonder of whether he will actually tell his wife and the possible consequences.

Hera is unapologetic, honest, relatable and smart, until her weakness gets the better of her. After meeting him in her first office job which she hates, she strikes a friendship with journalist Arthur, whose green dot she longs for on the internal work messaging system.

After many occasions of meeting and accepting she is the mistress, Hera becomes convinced Arthur is going to leave his wife, but it made me think perhaps Hera is trying to convince herself and us that he is…

Crossing over the pandemic between England and Australia, it is an almost believable book that reads like an autobiography. Gray’s writing is like sinking a hot knife through butter; it’s just so satisfying, as Hera tells her story with flawless wit.

There is so much to analyse in this novel, but I’ll simply say that this is an amazing coming-of-age (if over a year counts), as Hera learns to balance adulthood, friendship and lust. Amen to Madeleine Gray for a wonderful debut!

This has been one of my favourite books that I’ve read so far in 2024 – I loved it!

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