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Virgin

'Hollie McNish's words always sweep me away' Giovanna Fletcher
By Hollie McNish
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Brief Description
'Like Pam Ayres on acid' LEMN SISSAY'Energising, fearless and joyful' SARA PASCOE'Hollie has such a wonderful voice. Warm, relatable, smart and funny' SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR'Funny, so smart and refreshingly honest' SARAH MILLICAN'One of the best poets we have' MATT HAIGVirgin snowVirgin mojitosVirgin motherVirgin MaryVirgin: one little six-letter... Read More
Format: Hardback
$3999
AVAILABLE WITH SUPPLIER Ships from our Auckland warehouse within 4-6 weeks

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The new collection from Sunday Times bestseller and Ted Hughes Award-winner, Hollie McNish

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
'Like Pam Ayres on acid' LEMN SISSAY

'Energising, fearless and joyful' SARA PASCOE

'Hollie has such a wonderful voice. Warm, relatable, smart and funny' SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR

'Funny, so smart and refreshingly honest' SARAH MILLICAN

'One of the best poets we have' MATT HAIG

Virgin snow

Virgin mojitos

Virgin mother

Virgin Mary

Virgin: one little six-letter word that holds such incredible power. The power to pressure, to judge, to harm, to praise, to profit, to punish. But virginity is also just a concept, a label that has been pressed upon people for centuries in numerous cultures worldwide.

In this highly anticipated collection of poetry, Hollie McNish unpicks the role this word has played in her own life, as well as others, with her trademark mix of humour, fury and compassion. Whether considering if Mary was a fan of her own nickname, to rejoicing her annual excitement in ice cream vans, to looking back on how ridiculously she ate creamy mashed potato with her family after apparently 'losing' her own virginity, she examines in her own inimitable way the tracks this concept makes throughout so many minds, and the possibilities of freedom.

At times hilarious, at times harrowing, always hopeful - a poetic love letter against the more nefarious effects of purity culture packed with stacks of honeycomb, hand holds and early morning light.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780349127446

Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 16 October 2025

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fleet

Audience: General / adult, Tertiary education, Professional and scholarly

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 22.0mm

Width: 156.0mm

Height: 214.0mm

Weight: 341g

Pages: 160

Collections

Arts & Culture Education & Reference Hollie McNish Non-Fiction Poetry

About the Author

Hollie McNish is an award-winning poet based between Cambridge and Glasgow. She is the author of the Sunday Times bestsellers, Slug and Lobster, the Ted Hughes Award-winning Nobody Told Me and poetry collections Plum, Cherry Pie and Papers. She has also adapted Greek tragedy Antigone, and co-wrote Offside, a play, with fellow poet Sabrina Mahfouz. She loves writing.

Also by Hollie McNish

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  • On Sale
    20% off
    Lobster
    A brand-new collection from the award-winning poet, the companion piece to the Sunday Times bestselling Slug. 'Funny, so smart and refreshingly honest' SARAH MILLICAN 'Hollie McNish's words always sweep me away' GIOVANNA FLETCHER This book is written out of both hate and love for the world. As people, we are capable of both love and hate; amazement and disgust; fun...
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  • Slug
    THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER An intoxicating mixture of poetry and prose, Slug is a taboo-busting delight. SCOTSMAN One of the best poets we have – MATT HAIG She writes with honesty, conviction, humour and love – KAE TEMPEST The new collection of poetry and prose from the Ted Hughes Award-winning author of Nobody Told Me. From Finnish saunas and soppy...
    By Hollie McNish
    Paperback
    $2799
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    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Lobster
    Lobster
    A brand-new collection from the award-winning poet, the companion piece to the Sunday Times bestselling Slug. 'Funny, so smart and refreshingly honest' SARAH MILLICAN 'Hollie McNish's words always sweep me away' GIOVANNA FLETCHER This book is written out of both hate and love for the world. As people, we are capable of both love and hate; amazement and disgust; fun...
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