Book Review: Dead Sexy by Kathy Lette - A Wild Ride Through All the Ups and Downs of Life, Dating and Being a Tourist on a Foreign Island
Not every book needs a glamorous backdrop to shine.
I read Kathy Lette’s Dead Sexy in the in-between moments of family life—sitting on the side of the road waiting for Ben to pick me up for our daughter’s end-of-year violin concert, at her school’s Christmas carols event while we waited for her turn to perform, and late at night, savouring the peaceful quiet of a sleeping household. Despite the ordinary setting, this book had me laughing, reflecting, and nodding along in understanding.
The story dives into a relatable and sometimes uncomfortable theme: the absentee father. Shelly, the protagonist, wrestles with her strained relationship with her father, an all-too-familiar feeling for many of us. I couldn’t help but connect with her mistrust and emotional craving as she grappled with her father’s absence and the impact it had on her life. Matty’s relationship with her dad, Kit, offers a stark contrast. Kit is everything a father should be—loving, dependable, and present. Yet Shelly couldn’t help but doubt and envy it, as if any man could truly be such a great dad when hers was such a missing in action part of her upbringing. This contrast is striking and forces readers to confront the question: are men as capable of great parenting as women?
Kathy Lette’s writing doesn’t shy away from drama—Dead Sexy is undeniably over-the-top at times, with twists and situations that could make your head spin. And while Lette’s witty style shines, there are moments where her attempt to be clever comes across as trying too hard, peppering the text with big words you’d never hear in day-to-day conversation. But these minor shortcomings are balanced out by the story’s sexy chemistry, laugh-out-loud humour, and moments of real emotional depth that resonate long after you’ve turned the last page.
The jokes between chapters are delightfully tongue-in-cheek, with a few laughably outrageous moments and some real gems that hit the mark. Lette masterfully blends humour, sex and heartfelt storytelling, keeping the book engaging even as it explores heavy themes of family, feminism, and relationships.
Ultimately, Dead Sexy is a reminder that relationships—whether with our parents, partners, or even ourselves—are messy and complicated, but they’re also what give life its richness. Shelly’s journey is a testament to the power of resilience and the ability to find humour and hope amidst the chaos. Like Shelly, I can’t help but admit that while not all men are the devil, finding a decent one is a rare and precious thing.
If you’re looking for a book that will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even reconsider a few long-held beliefs, Dead Sexy is well worth a read. Kathy Lette’s comedic brilliance, bold storytelling, and fearless exploration of feminist themes will leave you entertained and enlightened in equal measure.
Have you read this one? Or do you have a favourite Kathy Lette book? I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Until next time...
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