Home Feed
Home
Search
Search
Add Review, Blurb, Quote
Add
Activity
Activity
Profile
Profile
One's Company: A Novel
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
25 posts | 27 read | 34 to read
One of BuzzFeed's Must-Read Summer Books For readers of Ottessa Moshfegh and Mona Awad, this fearless debut chronicles one womans escape into a world of obsessive imagination. Bonnie Lincoln just wants to be left alone. To come home from work, shut out the ghosts of some devastating losses, and unwind in front of the nostalgic, golden glow of her favorite TV show, Threes Company. When Bonnie wins the lottery, a more grandiose visionto completely shuck off her own troublesome identitytakes shape. She plans a drastic move to an isolated mountain retreat where she can re-create the iconic apartment set of Threes 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.
Amazon Indiebound Barnes and Noble WorldCat Goodreads LibraryThing
Pick icon
100%
review
Chelsea.Poole
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

Pretty bizarre, but much more based in reality than some of the other books this has been compared to (Awad‘s specifically). A bit of an outrageous look at how grief and trauma can be dealt with in very different ways, in this case by winning the lottery and creating a reality to live inside the Three‘s Company world. I‘ve never seen the show but now I feel like I should watch at least one episode.
Reminded me a bit of Treasure Island!!! (Tagged)

Ruthiella I can see the parallel to Awad‘s Bunny, especially in the question at the end (for me at least)?as to how much of the book is real and how much is the main character‘s delusion…. 7mo
AlaMich I loved it as a kid, but let me warn you that 3s company has NOT aged well!! If you watch it, prepare to be offended. (edited) 7mo
See All 7 Comments
Chelsea.Poole @Ruthiella oh for sure! I maybe should have worded that differently in my review. I guess for me as a reader, this one is much more easy to follow and was explained a bit more even though those things maybe didn‘t even happen, if that makes sense. I suppose it‘s more of a writing style preference for me. 7mo
Chelsea.Poole @AlaMich thanks for the warning! Maybe I won‘t even attempt lol 7mo
Ruthiella My comment wasn‘t to try to get you to like Awad! 😂😂 No worries there. It was just something I liked about both books. I see the similarity to Treasure Island! too in the MC‘s obsession with a piece of media. Also I underscore @AlaMich - the original show is very dated. 7mo
AlaMich @Ruthiella I doubt there is a scene in any episode that is not offensive by today‘s standards. 7mo
69 likes1 stack add7 comments
review
janeycanuck
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

Sometimes, it's best to go into a book knowing nothing. But that can backfire. Because you get a book where you know a woman with financial struggles wins the lottery and decides to recreate the Three's Company world to live in it - and you think that it will be light & fun but it turns out the woman has a LOT of struggles and this isn't a light & fun book but rather a dark & sad story. Still pretty good, though - and the narrator was SO GOOD!

Ruthiella For a minute there I thought you had a miniature mock-up of The Regal Beagle! 😂 2y
Mandoul Love the model 😃 2y
janeycanuck @Ruthiella oh, that‘d have been something! But alas, no. 2y
janeycanuck @Mandoul thanks! It‘s been fun to put together 😊 2y
38 likes1 stack add4 comments
review
vlwelser
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

This is totally bananas. But I kind of loved every cringe worthy moment. Kind of. Some was hard to "watch." A youngish woman dealing with grief becomes obsessed with Three's Company, wins the lottery, and takes it all to unexpected levels. I was questioning my own sanity by the end.

MallenNC I read this because of @Cinfhen and I loved it. There were traumatic parts but the book has such an unusual premise. I‘m also not 100% sure what was real and what wasn‘t. 2y
vlwelser @MallenNC 💯 and I also think I got it because of @Cinfhen . Still no idea if Rita was even there. 2y
MallenNC @vlwelser As I was reading it I was taking it all at face value but the Rita part seemed even more unreal than the rest. And after I finished another reader speculated that the whole thing was in her imagination and she‘d been in the treatment center the whole time after the attack at the store. I can‘t stop thinking about that! @Cinfhen 2y
See All 12 Comments
vlwelser @MallenNC I didn't even think to question the Rita thing until Bonnie was questioning it at the end. And I like this theory that all of it was a hallucination. It gets very meta if you think about it too much. Like when we read Bunny. 2y
MallenNC @vlwelser I almost want to read it again to see if I can get a clearer opinion. I may someday! Too many other books to read at the moment. 2y
Cinfhen This book was so 🍌 👖 and it has you guessing and second guessing @MallenNC I almost want to read it again but I‘m worried the magic won‘t be there the second time. @britt_brooke brought this book to my attention and im pretty sure she suggested the entire story was a fabrication, which actually makes more sense logically. Such a wonderful wacky original book!!! 2y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen I still find myself thinking about this story! 2y
vlwelser @britt_brooke It's strangely like this other one that @Cinfhen loved. 🐰 But mostly because 🍌👖 2y
Cinfhen I didn‘t really appreciate Bunny until after the fact @vlwelser when we discussed it and I grew to appreciate how clever it was !! But yeah, it was DEFINITELY 🍌👖 2y
britt_brooke @vlwelser I still haven‘t read Bunny! 2y
vlwelser @britt_brooke if you liked this, definitely read Bunny. It's even more cuckoo than this one. 2y
britt_brooke @vlwelser Thanks - I‘ll have to move it up in my TBR! 2y
46 likes12 comments
review
Maria514626
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

Bonnie makes her own Three‘s Company world and escapes the “real” one and everyone in it. She creates a safe place.

Who gets to judge what is a good or happy life or a “ sane” one?

Not a happy read but I couldn‘t put it down.
#auldlangspine

19 likes1 stack add
review
MallenNC
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

What would you do if you won the lottery? Probably not what the MC of this novel did, which was recreating her own world modeled after the TV show Three‘s Company. (Jack‘s face in the photo above would probably be his reaction to this idea). It‘s is a pretty dark book about dealing with trauma but I loved it. Unique story with a lot of good details. I stayed up late to finish. This is another win from the #AuldLangSpines list I got from @Cinfhen

Cinfhen I‘m sooooo happy you liked this one because it‘s definitely NOT for everyone!!!!! So unique 🫶🏼 2y
MallenNC @Cinfhen It did take a little ways in for me to really be invested. But I especially liked it once she got her world built, and then the ending. It really is clever. 2y
Cinfhen I wonder if the whole thing with the woman playing Mrs. Roper was only in her imagination. She had so many layers of delusions & made me wonder what was real. Like did she only imagine replicating the whole setup ? It‘s the kind of bonkers I love 2y
MallenNC @Cinfhen I wasn‘t sure if she was real either. Especially since there was no reference to her in the third section after the fire. A LOT was happening. 2y
Christine I love this review! I‘ve been meaning to pick this one up for a while and am now even more eager to do so. 🙂 2y
28 likes5 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image

#12Booksof2022 - August @Andrew65 Definitely one of the MOST original stories I read in 2022!! Bonnie Lincoln is dealing with the aftermath of a terrible trauma that has forced her to turn to television and the imaginary world of the sitcom Three‘s Company as a source of solace and joy. When Bonnie wins the lottery she is able to FULLY IMMERSE herself in this alternate reality allowing herself to disengage from almost all human interaction. 👇🏽

Cinfhen Audio is OUTSTANDING!!!!! This book is definitely 🍌👖 @jenniferw88 😉 @MallenNC I see it‘s on your #BookSpin !!! Can‘t wait to hear your thoughts!!!! 2y
Andrew65 This sounds fun. And it looks like Audio is the way to go. Thanks @Cinfhen. 2y
MallenNC @Cinfhen I put my hold request in for this one so I expect to get to it very soon. My library only had the hard copy so I have to wait for them to re-open after New Year. I‘m very intrigued! (edited) 2y
Kangaj1 This was on my favorites list and I never heard much about it, so glad to see it here. I recommended it to a few people and they did not enjoy it. I am very interested in the audio now! 2y
Cinfhen It‘s definitely an offbeat book @Kangaj1 but I thought it was SUPER ORIGINAL- I hope you like it @MallenNC but I won‘t feel bad if you bail… 2y
59 likes4 stack adds5 comments
review
Sara_Planz
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

This book was a welcome surprise for my end of year reading. The author takes us on an emotional journey through Bonnie‘s life and the idea of what healing can be. I didn‘t expect to be so moved by this book, considering it is classified as absurdist fiction. A fabulous novel that will have you looking at your own comforts in life and how they play a role in our own paths to healing.

37 likes2 stack adds
review
GidgetsTreasures75
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

10-24-22: My 106th finished book of 2022! This one was wild! Bonnie, a reclusive woman with a traumatic past, wins the lottery and decides to spend her money recreating the sets from Three‘s Company! It‘s a complex story of pain and obsession, where Bonnie inhabits the characters to remove herself from her regular life. As her best friend Krystal tries to lure her back time and again, Bonnie tries to wipe out her past. ⭐️⭐️⭐️📖#️⃣1️⃣0️⃣6️⃣

review
Ruthiella
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

I definitely see how this might appeal to Moshfegh and/or Awad fans. It definitely skews surreal. Bonnie was already fairly off kilter before a traumatic, violent event tips her over the edge. When she wins the lotto, she opts to leave the world (and reality) behind and use her riches to fully recreate the TV show that keeps her comforted/numb to everything else, “Three‘s Company”. Not sure how this would be for s/o not familiar with the show?

BkClubCare I have a friend who named her dog Furley after that show. 2y
Ruthiella @BkClubCare That‘s a good name for a dog! 🐶 2y
66 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
ChaoticMissAdventures
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

This was a ride! A woman experiences trauma, wins the lottery and builds and lives in a replica Three's Company town.
Never did I know where this was going, and after finishing I still have questions on what was 'real' throughout. This was quick reading but something so deep in plot and meaning I will be thinking about it for a long time to come.

quote
ChaoticMissAdventures
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image

After I won the lottery, a lot of strangers showed up to tell me what a piece of trash I was.

#firstlinefriday @ShyBookOwl

blurb
Sharpeipup
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image

Totally a #blameitonlitsy read but now I want to rewatch the show.

42 likes1 stack add
review
Megabooks
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

I‘m glad I gave this another shot. Hutson is definitely an author to read/watch if you like Moshfegh or Awad. This is a strong debut, and an author I‘ll read again!

In the wake of some severe trauma, Bonnie became obsessed with Three‘s Company. When she‘s not working, the DVDs are always on. Then she wins an obscene amount in the lottery and can finally make her dream of living as the cast of Three‘s Company a reality.

CW in 1st spoiler

Megabooks So Bonnie is pretty severely raped. It‘s not on the page, but something about the description of the aftermath hit me really hard, so I guess take that into consideration. There‘s also murder of people close to her. The emotional side of her trauma hit me really hard. 2y
Megabooks Okay the one above is the CW, but don‘t look at the next one unless you‘ve read it. 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen @britt_brooke so how it ended with her institutionalized, I kind of wonder if at least the whole thing with the woman playing Mrs. Roper for years was in her imagination. She had so many layers of delusions and self-protection, it kind of made me wonder what was real in her life and what may not have happened. 2y
See All 12 Comments
britt_brooke I‘m so happy you gave this another try! I had similar thoughts on the ending. It‘s a bit draw-your-own-conclusion which, if done well, I like. It worked for me here. (edited) 2y
MicheleinPhilly This sounds kind of 🦇💩. 2y
Cinfhen I‘m so glad you gave this another go!!! And agree, the ending had me questioning what was real and what was imagined. But like @britt_brooke the ambiguous ending worked for me 2y
Teresereading Beautiful cover 2y
Megabooks @MicheleinPhilly it was a bit! 2y
Megabooks @Teresereading yes, and it‘s metallic too! 2y
Megabooks @britt_brooke @Cinfhen it worked for me too, but I‘m wondering if either of you drew personal conclusions. Personally I think even the lottery win was in her head. I think she never got over the robbery and the whole book was a fabrication. If she did win the lottery I definitely think the relationship was in her head. 🤷🏻‍♀️🤨 2y
britt_brooke @Megabooks I tend to lean toward the same, but it still keeps me thinking/questioning. (edited) 2y
Cinfhen Ohhh, interesting. That theory would make the most sense because honestly who could possibly replicate the entire Three‘s Company set?!? I can‘t wait to see what the author writes next @britt_brooke @Megabooks 2y
87 likes3 stack adds12 comments
review
Julsmarshall
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

This novel was inventive, strange, and surprising in so many ways. What a debut! Hutson is definitely one to watch,

53 likes1 stack add
blurb
Cinfhen
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image

#TwoForTuesday thanks for the tag @Nessavamusic 💕 I had to think hard because I read a few great books this month @sprainedbrain but I really think the tagged book was the MOST UNIQUE book I‘ve read in awhile. The premise was so wild and it‘s totally unrealistic BUT I loved it!! A young woman recovering from a terrible trauma chooses to immerse herself in the world of 70‘s tv sitcom Three‘s Company. #ForReal #ISwear

Nessavamusic @Cinfhen that sounds really weird and interesting! 2y
Cinfhen Sooooooo out there @Nessavamusic 2y
40 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
Megabooks
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Bailedbailed

Nope. Not for me. Can‘t deal with trying to unpack the MC‘s trauma atm. I was hoping for light, but I‘m not finding it that way at all.

Cinfhen Oh no!! It‘s definitely NOT light at all. Maybe you can try again at another time but best to put aside for now. 2y
britt_brooke Definitely not a light read. Quirky, yes, but extremely heavy. 2y
Megabooks @Cinfhen @britt_brooke yeah, I think I‘m just under too much stress right now. It just wasn‘t quite what I expected. So I started this, and it‘s much better suited to how things are. 👍🏻 2y
britt_brooke @Megabooks Good; hope you enjoy! 2y
70 likes1 stack add4 comments
blurb
TheRiehlDeal
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image

#WondrousWednesday

1. I added the tagged book after reading @britt_brooke and @Cinfhen reviews.

2. I only listened to two books so far, but I‘m going to go with I Contain Multitudes.

3. Niagara Falls (Canadian side), Cedar Point amusement park, and New York City.

Cinfhen Ohhhhh, I can‘t wait to hear what you think of 2y
britt_brooke Hope you enjoy!! It‘s a weird one, but so good. 2y
Eggs Thanks for joining in! NYC 🍎 2y
24 likes3 comments
review
Cinfhen
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

Wow! This just blew my mind 🤯❗️Im still processing but count me in as a super fan. I can‘t wait to see what this author does next. The most unique view of the ways in which someone compartmentalizes with trauma, grief, loneliness and fear. Audio narration was FABULOUS. This rates 5 shiny stars 🌟 🌟🌟🌟🌟and #CoverCrush

britt_brooke SO happy you loved it❣️ Nice review. I listened to the audio as well, but also bought a copy recently at #Parnassus because of that stunning cover! 2y
squirrelbrain Sounds great - stacked! 2y
Megabooks Wow!! Looking forward to getting this tomorrow! 2y
See All 9 Comments
Cinfhen Can‘t wait to hear what you think @Megabooks it‘s SO BIZARRE but I was riveted!!! 2y
Cinfhen I‘m thinking you‘ll like this one @squirrelbrain but maybe #BorrowNotBuy - how‘s the dreaded Covid?? Hope you & hubs are on the mend!! 2y
squirrelbrain Yes, I don‘t know the programme referred to, so it might not even get published over here. We‘re both feeling a bit better, but still testing positive this morning. 🤷‍♀️ 2y
TrishB Great review 👍🏻 2y
CarolynM @squirrelbrain Three‘s Company was the US version of Man About The House. While I liked John Ritter, he was no Richard O‘Sullivan 😉 2y
squirrelbrain I wasn‘t aware they were the same programme @CarolynM …. Mind you, I haven‘t watched Man About the House either, but at least I‘ve heard of it! 🤣 2y
69 likes2 stack adds9 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image

The MOST original book I‘ve read in ages!! Can‘t believe this is a debut😱 I mean it‘s COMPLETELY INSANE but I‘m SO IN!!!
Audio is AMAZING - thanks for putting this one on my #ReadersRadar #SuperInfluencer @britt_brooke
A lonely, grieving young woman recovering from a traumatic experience completely escapes into the world of Three‘s Company - the less you know the better 😉

TrishB Do you have to know anything about Three‘s Company? I‘ve never heard of it 🤷‍♀️ 2y
Cinfhen I do think without the Three‘s Company connection this book might not work as well @TrishB - what do you think @britt_brooke ??!!? 2y
Cinfhen It‘s completely bananas @TrishB I‘m nearly finished , I really liked it! 2y
See All 8 Comments
britt_brooke Such a strange premise, but it totally works. I seriously can‘t wait to see what Huston does next! Exiting when a new author nails it. You got be rethinking my stars now. 😂 I gave it 4, but may need to add that elusive 5th!! 2y
britt_brooke @TrishB I only know very vague Three‘s Company details, but it was a hugely popular American sitcom in the late 70s, early 80s. I was a toddler when it stopping airing, so I must‘ve seen some reruns. A quick wiki of the show might be enough reference prior to reading the book. @Cinfhen 2y
TrishB @britt_brooke thanks both 👍🏻 2y
rwmg @TrishB Three's Company is the American remake of Man About The House 2y
TrishB @rwmg thanks! I vaguely remember that from the 70s, I‘m not big on telly stuff. 2y
65 likes7 stack adds8 comments
blurb
Cinfhen
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image

This book has a BONKERS plot but I am HOOKED!! Thanks for putting it on my #ReadersRadar @britt_brooke 😁I mentioned to Britt, it‘s giving me Otessa Moshfegh vibes with a dash of Melissa Broder. And the narration is FANTASTIC 💕🙌🏻🎧

Addison_Reads I enjoyed this one too. Such an intriguing look into grief, obsession, and isolation. 2y
britt_brooke So happy you‘re enjoying! 💚 It‘s quite the odd one, but so intriguing. 2y
See All 8 Comments
Megabooks I just ordered this on Amazon from @britt_brooke ‘s rec. #SuperInfluencer! (edited) 2y
britt_brooke @Megabooks My job here is done! 🤩 2y
Cinfhen I agree @Megabooks !!! @britt_brooke is definitely a #SuperInfluencer ♥️Great hashtag #️⃣ 2y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen Y‘all are giving me a #superego right now! 😂🤗 2y
67 likes2 stack adds8 comments
review
britt_brooke
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A deep dive into trauma. Bonnie literally constructs an elaborate escape from the horror that befell her and her friends/coworkers. How the event is introduced is shocking and casual; devastatingly accurate in the American landscape. The lottery bit is convenient but somehow avoids being cheesy. Not quite like anything I‘ve ever read. Bizarre, yet poignant as hell. Bonnie is relatable. Escaping is impossible.

Cinfhen Wait, what?? I just read the blurb!!! Sounds super strange but your review has me stacking so fast 💨 2y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen It‘s super weird! I‘m not sure if you‘ll love it or hate it. 😂 2y
Cinfhen Just started the audio…..LOVING it!!! Reminds me a bit like Moshfegh or this one 2y
See All 7 Comments
Cinfhen Audio narration is FANTASTIC 2y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen YES. And I love Modhfegh … and I loved Milk Fed. 💚 Gritty. 2y
Cinfhen I‘m confused about the Crystal storyline- did she just imagine stabbing her??? Was the whole thing imagined?? Did I miss something?? I loved this book but now I‘m questioning everything 🤷🏼‍♀️ 2y
britt_brooke @Cinfhen I had the same feelings. I *think* the only thing that was imagined was the stabbing. 2y
96 likes3 stack adds7 comments
review
akaGingerK
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Panpan

The cover copy leans hard into the quirkiness of the POV character‘s coping mechanism. But despite obsessive/loving descriptions of the attempt to recreate a place that never existed, most of the story is bleak description of what drove Bonnie to Three‘s Company. Krystal should be sympathetic, but despite hating Bonnie‘s treatment of her, I disliked her, too. I thought it was going somewhere interesting, but … well.

akaGingerK Although I can add this to my list of books featuring “queer women making bad decisions on a mountain,” that relationship retreated suddenly in importance. The resolution left a lot to be desired- there‘s no true emotional resonance to the ending. People are terrible, escape is impossible, and I guess nothing has meaning? Bleakness is not interesting to me 2y
6 likes1 comment
review
Addison_Reads
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

#NetGalley #AudioARC

Really enjoyed this one!

The main character Bonnie wins the lottery and decides to indulge herself. This quirky, thoughtful look into one woman's obsession as she processes things from her past was delightful and heartbreaking all at once.

37 likes1 stack add
review
abookishbutterfly
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
Pickpick

It‘s clear this novel was well thought out and that the content surrounding trauma was deeply understood within the author‘s heart. The creativity surrounding the plot was incredibly impressive and the meaningfulness of the story spoke to my soul.

review
Kerry_Am
One's Company: A Novel | Ashley Hutson
post image
Pickpick

LOVED this. The seemingly quirky premise could have gone a number of ways, and it's with great pleasure that I report back from the depths of Ashley Hutson's debut novel. ONE‘S COMPANY is a strange and thoughtful examination of the perils of unresolved trauma; main character Bonnie Lincoln an object lesson in how unchecked depression can and will trick one into believing warped narratives about one‘s own lived experience. Could not put this down.