How to Build a Girl

I had rather high expectations when starting this book. And from the very start, I wasn't quite sure what to make of it: was this just hilarious or over the top already - was this still engaging or boring yet?

There are a lot of clichees wandering the pages of this book, concerning working class families, concerning teenage girls - concerning many things. And yet the book has too "earnest" (or maybe honest) an undertone to be called a satire as such. What it reminded me most of in respect to topics like sexuality is [b:Intimes Tagebuch der Sally Mara -Man ist immer zu gut zu den Frauen. Sally Maras Gesammelte Werke. o.A.|13628552|Intimes Tagebuch der Sally Mara -Man ist immer zu gut zu den Frauen. Sally Maras Gesammelte Werke. o.A.|Raymond Queneau|http://images.gr-assets.com/books/1335805031s/13628552.jpg|19234999].

Once Johanna/Dolly starts her career as a music journalist at a London-based magazine, the previous humourous tones quickly vanish except for a few short episodes. The book then becomes a more or less realistic story of growing up, sometimes evoking recognition but more often pity for the narrator who also suddenly begins to reflect on the story from the point of view of a future, older self. This reminiscent tone often is a bit on the mellow, world-wise side bordering on lecturing.

The book ends with a great reconciliatory episode concerning the family before the fledgeling journalist leaves the nest. And that's that.

All in all, I enjoyed reading the book. It was entertaining, though not as much as I'd expected. I'd recommend it to readers who enjoy somewhat eccentric autobiographic stories (though this isn't an actual autobiography).