A review by franalibi
How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran

dark emotional funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Pushing aside the fact that Johanna dreams of sex (almost all the time), this is such a clever and funny novel. And I find myself laughing more every time I read it - because it’s not the first time I’ve read this book.

Reading this made me feel: (A.) nostalgic for the days I used to read Kerrang! Magazine every week and imagine myself a totally different person as Johanna reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde and becomes a music journalist to earn money for the family, (B.) really sad and full of sympathy when she’s riddled with anxiety as her family are on benefits and are losing 11% of it.

The central storyline around this is when she’s given a bigger piece to write about, it’s to interview John Kite, a man of unique musical talent and the ability to do stand up in between songs in a gig. John Kite immediately called Johanna/Dolly “Duchess” and is the first person to allow her to fully be herself and they kindle a friendship that she continually craves long after the interview.

After that, it’s her trying to fit in more with her colleagues and the “scene” and realises she’s gone too far... 

I loved how there were moments of reflection from Johanna as if she’s telling this story in the future and is more wiser to what she didn’t know back in the 1990’s. So if you want something to absorb in lockdown, then choose this!