Virgin : ‘Hollie McNish’s words always sweep me away’ Giovanna Fletcher

Published 16/10/2025 | Hardback,
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 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.