How to Build a Girl

Brilliantly observed, thrillingly rude and laugh-out-loud funny -- Helen Fielding
A Portnoy's Complaint for girls… when I see this book described as "laugh-out-loud funny" I feel affronted; it could make you laugh out loud with one hand tied behind its back, while wanking itself off to fantasies of Satan. Laughing out loud is just the start -- Zoe Williams * The Guardian *
spirited coming of age novel romps from strength to strength…I’m a Moran fan -- Lionel Shriver * The Times *
This isn’t a sleek, slick novel, but it is a rambunctious, raw-edged, silly-profound and deeply relatable guide to what your worst mistakes can teach you, and it has much to offer teenagers both actual and inner * The Independent *
I have so much love for Caitlin Moran -- Lena Dunham
Binge-read all of #HowToBuildAGirl in one sitting. Even missed supper. A first -- Nigella Lawson
She writes with breathtaking brio…Moran shows her shining soul — which is even more remarkable than her wit — when she writes about being young, looking for love and the utter vileness of the class system . . .almost every page has something on it which makes you smile, makes you sad or makes you think — often all three at once, in one sentence -- Julie Burchill * The Spectator *
A riotous read with jokes galore cut through with lightly handled serious observations about the nature of poverty and the challenges of emerging female sexuality. It is also stunningly rude… * Sunday Express *
Exuberant, funny coming-of-age tale with a highly-literate, resourceful Wolverhampton teen at its centre. As building girls goes this is one alternative instruction manual every woman should read * Daily Express *
The self-conscious agonies of precocious yet sensitive Dolly ring painfully true, while the witty sex scenes, boozy anecdotes and one-liners make this great fun… * Sunday Mirror *
An exuberant coming of age novel in DMs and ripped tights * Tatler *
So funny it hurts. How to Build a Girl is Adrian Mole meets Fear of Flying. I predict they’ll be tears a plenty – both of laughter and excruciating recognition – on sun-loungers this summer * Harper’s Bazaar *
Moran is a brilliantly funny writer, and How To Build A Girl is brimful of jokes * FT *
This very British (and very naughty) coming-of-age novel will have you in literal hysterics! * Company *
terrific - funny, honest and deliciously rude -- Alice O'Keefe * The Bookseller *
This is going to be a bestseller…A sharp, hilarious and controversial read * The Bookseller *
I laughed aloud at this funny, outrageous story of a girl from Wolverhampton council estate who reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde * Woman & Home *
as irreverent, amusing and vibrant as Moran herself * GQ *
rowdy and fearless ... sloppy, big-hearted and alive in all the right ways * New York Times *
Ms. Moran['s] ... funny and cheerfully dirty coming-of-age novel has a hard kernel of class awareness ... sloppy, big-hearted and alive in all the right ways. -- Dwight Garner * New York Times *
there’s so much real feeling too. Johanna’s vulnerability and bravado, as she moves out of her world and falls in love is beautifully done’ or ‘ and running through it all, with a visceral power that most writers should envy, is the shame and grinding anxiety of being poor * Sunday Times *
Moran also writes brilliantly about music, and especially about what music can do. She carries Johanna through this novel with incredible verve, extravagant candour, and a lot of heart. Johanna is … a wonderful heroine. A heroine who cares, who bravely sallies forth and makes things happen, who gives of herself, who is refreshingly unashamed. She’s so confident, it’s glorious * The Independent on Sunday *
an entertaining read, with Moran in fine voice – hilarious, wild, imaginative and highly valuable…Moran is in danger of becoming to female masturbation what Keats was to Nightingales… -- Barbara Ellen * The Observer *