How to Build a Girl
A journey of self-discovery and reinvention
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Ebury Publishing
Published:14th May '20
Should be back in stock very soon
This paperback is available in another edition too:
- Paperback£12.99(9780091949013)

A poignant coming-of-age tale, How to Build a Girl follows Johanna's journey of self-discovery and transformation into her desired persona, Dolly Wilde.
In How to Build a Girl, we meet Johanna Morrigan, a 14-year-old girl on the brink of transformation. Struggling with her identity and feeling trapped in her mundane life, Johanna decides she must 'kill' her old self to create a new persona, Dolly Wilde. This journey is not just about reinvention; it's about navigating the complexities of adolescence, relationships, and self-acceptance. As she embarks on this quest, she quickly learns that the path to becoming the person she wants to be is fraught with unexpected challenges and realizations.
The narrative beautifully captures the essence of growing up, filled with humor and poignant moments that resonate with anyone who has faced the trials of teenage life. Johanna's escapades, from her awkward attempts at fitting in to her bold decisions that often backfire, are both relatable and entertaining. As she explores her passions and confronts her fears, readers are taken on a rollercoaster ride of emotions that reflect the highs and lows of youth.
How to Build a Girl is not just a story about transformation; it's a celebration of individuality and the messy, beautiful process of discovering who you truly are. With a backdrop of music, literature, and the vibrant culture of the time, this coming-of-age tale promises to leave a lasting impression on its audience, making it a must-read for anyone who has ever felt out of place or yearned for change.
Rude, big-hearted, wise-cracking novel -- Christina Patterson * The Sunday Times *
Brilliantly observed, thrillingly rude and laugh-out-loud funny -- Helen Fielding
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 *
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 *
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 *
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 *
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
- Short-listed for Specsavers National Book Award 2014 (UK)
ISBN: 9781529103199
Dimensions: 198mm x 126mm x 22mm
Weight: 250g
368 pages
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