How to Build a Girl

by Caitlin Moran

[Amber (The Literary Phoenix)]

Re-reads are such an interesting experience, because my experience comes in one of two flavors - nostalgic delights, or completely different emotive experiences.  Oh, and occasionally the "what did I see in this book?", which is not the case here.  The first time I read How to Build a Girl, I laughed and laughed and laughed to tears.  I had no idea what to expect and I was delighted.  This time, I listened more solemnly.  Partially because of the gravity of the world, and partially because I did not expect the book.  This time, I had memories and expectations of the book.  I still liked it, but it didn't rock me with hilarity.

This time, I found myself more conscious about the relationship between Johanna and her father.  I found myself following more of the human-level storylines, rather than just being tickled by the writing.  I appreciate the multifaceted aspects of the novel and how easily Caitlin Moran weaves together personal aspects with Johanna's wit.  The writing is very good.

And the narrator is utterly fantastic.

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Original Review:
2/9/2018 - 5 Stars

“Explaining why you love something is one of the most important jobs on earth.”

Well.

Now because of this book I take an immense extra pleasure in discussing a good novel.  A good book wraps you up in a warm, cozy blanket and gives you magnificent hot cocoa and homemade chocolate cookies and says in that soft, familiar voice: "I love you."

How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran punches you in the face with a dildo and makes you listen to The Cure on repeat until either your brain explodes or you are in love.  It is not subtle.  It is not sweet.  It is amazing.  I have never read a book that makes me laugh in the morning and want to join the protagonist in a broken, messy cry at night.

Johanna Morrigan has absolutely no idea who she is, therefore, she will make herself.  She makes Dolly Wilde, named for Oscar Wilde's niece.  Dolly is trouble.  Dolly is unpredictable.  Dolly is a Lady Sex Adventurer.  Dolly has a continuous inner monologue during her "sex adventuring" that is most reassuring and congratulatory ("how lucky he must be!") because she must be happy, because she is doing The Right Things... right?  Johanna is most refreshing because she is funny and hopefully optimistic and she is finding her way.

I wish I met Johanna when I was 16.  We both come from families who survived solely because of government benefits.  We both sought escape in writing.  We both grew up with our parents' music and hopelessly rebelled. We both have good relationships with our siblings.  To be a bit frank, we also both believed that Cosmo had all the answers to "How to please your man!" and that the favor would never be returned.

This coming-of-age story is so raw, daring to discuss things like female masturbation and the difficulty of being a woman in the workplace (even in the 90s).  I felt, at the very end of this story, that things were just beginning.  Imagine my thrill when I learned the sequel is due later this year!

I wholeheartedly recommend How to Build a Girl.  Prepare yourself for something rough and untraditional, but honest.  And the audiobook?  Brilliance.