Refreshingly honest and powerfully written, Jennette McCurdy’s first novel is a fresh take on girlhood and the chaos of growing up. Exploring power dynamics and the effects of child neglect on a young girl’s life, the novel is an important and honest read.
With Jennette McCurdy rising to fame through her role in Nickelodeon’s iCarly and Sam & Cat as Sam Puckett, she became well known for her aggressive but comedic portrayal of the character. However, in 2022, when she stepped away from acting and published her debut book titled I’m Glad My Mom Died, McCurdy’s public identity changed. Readers gained an insight into her struggles as a child actor and her complicated relationship with both her mother and with food, providing her with praise for her authenticity. Half His Age, whilst fictional, is reminiscent of her first book in its honest and unfiltered account of the struggles that young girls can face. McCurdy, in her memoir, opened up about her own relationship with a much older man when she was eighteen, which she stated was part of her inspiration for Half His Age.
The novel follows teenage Waldo and her impulsive and emotion-driven passion towards her creative writing teacher, Mr Korgy. It explores female rage and the confusion of what love is as a young girl. Waldo’s only role model is her mother, who she states advised her when she was as young as five that “the best way to keep a man is to be as pretty as you can be”. McCurdy highlights Waldo’s lack of parenting and support, with her almost always being home alone in an evening, leaving her to fill her emptiness with her online shopping addiction and attachment to her teacher. Her lack of support has led to her being forced to grow up too soon to look after her mother’s ever changing emotions.
Many novels that include an age in gap relationship have been criticised for their romanticisation of grooming and abuse. However, McCurdy subtly and cleverly points out the uncomfortable and abusive nature of the relationship throughout. Even through him always being labelled as Mr. Korgy rather than by his first name, the power dynamics and age gap is highlighted from the beginning of the novel. Another way it is highlighted is when Waldo states “I’m sorry I’m so immature. I guess that’s what happens when you date an eighteen-year-old”, emphasising the fact that she truly was still as child when they met. Despite Waldo not realising, her abuse by Mr. Korgy is clear throughout with almost all of their meetings leading to a sexual encounter in a hidden environment. He even makes a point to blame Waldo for initiating their relationship, despite being her teacher and meeting her alone away from school constantly beforehand. McCurdy’s representation of grooming and emotional abuse makes for a subtly harrowing yet important read.
Despite the uncomfortable relationship and sadness of Waldo’s situation, McCurdy has not completely strayed from her sitcom beginnings. The novel is hilariously written, with one liner after one liner that drags you to the next chapter. Waldo’s commentary of her job at Victoria Secret and her experiences growing up in a world of social media makes for a relatable and imperfect character. Through simple yet hilarious lines like “it’s nice to believe that the only difference between me and Margot Robbie is a stick of blush”, you cannot help but enjoy each page. The humour in McCurdy’s writing really adds to her characterisation of Waldo, with her relatable commentary really making the reader root for her.
McCurdy’s first fiction book is an addictive and darkly comedic examination of desire and destruction, with a truly heartbreaking insight into the way in which vulnerable young girls can be taken advantage of by those in power.
Words by Ella Clarke
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