Staff Pick
As someone who grew up on Nick at Nite and TV Land reruns, the idea of a lotto winner who attempts to recreate and immerse herself into the world of Three's Company was too irresistible to not pick up. Far more than just an exploration of fandom and obsession, however, One's Company also gives much to consider regarding the role of trauma and interpersonal relationships in defining who we are (or think we are). This book does get a little heavy at times, though, so maybe watch an episode of your favorite classic sitcom afterwards. Recommended By John Ha, Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Bonnie Lincoln just wants to be left alone. To come home from work, shut out the voice that reminds her of some devastating losses, and unwind in front of the nostalgic, golden glow of her favorite TV show, Three's Company.
When Bonnie wins the lottery, a more grandiose vision — to completely shuck off her own troublesome identity — takes shape. She plans a drastic move to an isolated mountain retreat where she can re-create the iconic apartment set of Three's Company and slip into the lives of its main characters: no-nonsense Janet Wood, pleasantly airheaded Chrissy Snow, and confident Jack Tripper. While her best friend, Krystal, tries to drag her back to her old life, Bonnie is determined to transcend pain, trauma, and the baggage of her past by immersing herself in the ultimate binge-watch.
Review
"Who among us has never longed to escape into a TV show, a movie, a written story, to live in it at least temporarily? One's Company, delightfully odd and beautifully written, is a pleasure to read." — Claire Kohda, New York Times Book Review
Review
"[Ashley] Hutson is far too smart...to turn Bonnie into an easy case study on the effects of trauma...Looks at trauma, wealth, and infatuation through a startlingly original lens." — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
Review
"[An] affecting and ingenious debut...This darkly clever work dramatizes the necessity and fragility of illusions, showing how they can crumble when broadcast to the world. Hutson is off to a brilliant start." — Publishers Weekly (Starred Review)
About the Author
Ashley Hutson is a writer living in rural Maryland. Her work has appeared in Granta, Electric Literature, Catapult, Fanzine, and elsewhere. Her honors include the 2018 Small Fictions Award, judged by Aimee Bender, and several Pushcart Prize nominations.