I finished So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder recently and I’ve been sitting with it for a few days trying to figure out exactly how I feel about it. That’s not a bad thing, sometimes the books that take a little longer to process are the ones that were actually worth reading.
The book follows a group of friends across different stages of their lives, checking in at key moments from their carefree early twenties all the way through to their forties. Each stage brings a shift in what people are focused on, what they’re carrying, and who they’ve become along the way.
That’s actually what I found most interesting about it. There’s something really honest about the idea that you can know someone, truly think you understand how they see the world, and then step inside their perspective and realise they don’t view themselves or the situation the way you assumed at all. It’s one of those quiet reminders that everyone is carrying more than what shows on the surface.
Image: Courtesy of Simon & Schuster
The friendships were what stayed with me most. Watching how the dynamic shifts over time felt very real, how some people who felt essential in your early twenties slowly drift, while others grow closer in ways you didn’t expect. And sometimes you find your way back to each other in the most unexpected moments. I think anyone who has been through a few different chapters of life will recognise something of themselves in this one.
There is drama, heartbreak, love and loss woven throughout, but it never felt over the top. It’s more quietly felt than loudly dramatic, which suited me.
One honest note though, this is a book that rewards continuous reading. If you have a few days where you can sit with it without too many interruptions, you’ll get the most out of it. I found that when life got in the way and I had to put it down for a stretch, coming back to it meant flipping back pages to remind myself who was who and what their story was. With multiple perspectives and a cast of characters that shifts across time, it’s the kind of book that benefits from momentum. If you have a vacation coming up or a long weekend where you can really settle in, this would be a perfect pick.
Overall it’s one of those reads that genuinely stays with you, a thoughtful and moving story about how much changes between who you are at twenty two and who you become, and how the people around you shape that more than you realise. One of my favourites so far this year.
A note on spoilers: This review is intentionally vague because I think the less you know going in the more you’ll enjoy it.
Rating: ★★★★★
If you enjoyed this review, you might also like my thoughts on Yellowface by R.F. Kuang, another character driven story that will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished it. You can read that one here.
