Calendar Girl: In Which a Lady of Rylstone Reveals All

by Tricia Stewart

It was a crazy idea and good for a laugh at the time: When Tricia Stewart proposed a more risqué treatment for her local Women’s Institute’s annual calendar, which normally featured tranquil scenes from nature, laughing alongside her was John Baker, the husband of the soon-to-be Miss February, Angela. When John passed away from cancer, the Ladies of Rylstone decided that posing nude for the calendar and donating the proceeds was one way to honor his memory and cope with this devastating loss. No one could have predicted what happened next. The calendar began to sell, and soon the whole world, it seemed, was interested in their story, with an American tour following and appearances on the Today show, 20/20, CNN, and the Tonight Show.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Biography Memoir, Biography

272 pages, Paperback

First published October 26, 2001

Reviews

[Rachael Hewison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have complete respect for the Rylestone women and what they achieved with their calendar. They are an inspiration to all. I was so excited to read this book and hear the story behind what actually happened. However whilst Trish Stewart is a remarkable woman with such brilliant ideas, her talents don’t extend to writing.
At times her book was humorous and it was so interesting to hear how their lives had changed as a result of the calendar. However other than that, I didn’t enjoy the book. It was like an explosion of thoughts, with no great structure. Things just keep overlapping and it was hard to keep track of who was who and where they were. However my main complaint about the book was the way in which Stewart talked about those that disagreed with her in any way. I realise she wanted to put her point across when talking about the Rylestone split but it felt like she was attacking the other women without really acknowledging their side of the story. What was worse however was the way in which she wrote about her husband. If I was him I would have been so upset with the way that she would bring him up constantly to put him down and comment on all his flaws. She revealed too much information about their marriage, and yes I realise that it’s a biography so she has every right to, but she included a personal letter from her daughter to Ian, revealing feelings that I don’t think should have been exposed to the reader.
Overall it was thoroughly interesting and fascinating to learn just how much work the ladies put in to touring and interviews and pushing this calendar. I just wished that certain parts had been omitted.

[Montana · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF. I first learned of the “Calendar Girls” when I discovered the movie. I absolutely loved the movie and the story so much I decided I should read this book... a first hand account. However, I couldn’t finish it. Tricia’s writing is very elementary and hard to read. I know the book is based on her personal diary at the time, but I think it could have been altered to better the readers experience. It is also blatantly clear what Tricia’s side of the story is, however, she never mentions what the other eleven girls thought of the events. She does a poor job presenting the facts objectively and doesn’t try hard to hide her own prejudices.

The story is very inspiring (and comical) and I love the ambition these women had. Pearls and Sunflowers have always been favorites of mine and for that I like it even more... the story in and of itself is the only reason this book received two stars.

[Briar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed in this book, to be honest. Tricia Stewart doesn't have much of a talent for writing - her style reads like a schoolgirl's diary. Of course, this is a memoir of very personal events, so perhaps good writing should not be expected.

However, I also can't help wondering what the reaction to the book was of people such as her husband and those members of the eleven who didn't agree with the author on certain issues. Tricia Stewart doesn't do much of a job of putting the other side of the story across to her readers. Fortunately, not being a professional author, she also doesn't do a very good job of disguising her prejudices.

Having said all this, it's an inspiring and often interesting tale of women who really did do a remarkable thing, and for that I award it two stars.

[Tifnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute story about a group of women who pull together to create a creative nude calendar to raise money for cancer.

The problem with the story is it painfully recounts the whole story of how the calendar came to be and what happened 1-2 years afterwards. The story was interesting up to the end of the 1st year, then it just dragged on to the point of me skipping around.

[Brandy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 to 3/5 stars: i knew that the book would be different but I didn't really find this a story to me it could have been written in point form and been a lot more interesting then what it was. I found the story just more of what talk shows, interviews and such they went through and I found it kind of meh. The pictures was a nice touch, plus mid way I would say you got some drama from within the group but it was lighting touched. The book didn't grab me like I thought it would to the point I didn't even bother reading the epilogue. But what the ladies did was great raising all that money for cancer( yes I know it was a certain type of cancer but I don't want to spoil it if you haven't seen the movie or want to read the book.)

[Lacy Hawkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

I gave up on this one. I think the major problem was that I love the movie. The movie follows the creation of the calendar and emphasizes the friendships between the women. The book bogs down on the details of how they sold and marketed the calendar, which felt more like a business marketing memoir than a solid human story. Maybe I should have stuck with it but it lost me. Still highly recommend the beautiful film based on this even though.

[Becky Galambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, the real story of the WI ladies and their "alternative" calendar. So glad that the 5 dissenters weren't able to derail the movie as it is one of my favorites, which recently led me to this book. It's real, not sugarcoated. A peek into the real lives of the women of the story and why they came up with the calendar.

[Judy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I ended up skimming this book. I watched the movie long ago and though this would be a revisit and insider information on a sweet movie. I don't feel like it was that. I wasn't really into the writing. I do feel I learned more about the motivations behind the calendar and the tribute to their friend, which I don't recall from the movie (again, saw it a long time ago).

[Fem · Rating 2 out of 5]

Inspiring story and a worthwhile cause. I found it hard to remain interested in reading this book though because it is written in a sort of 'reporting' style. This happened and then this happened etc.

[Estela · Rating 2 out of 5]

In spite of the lovely moving story behind it, the book is too slow, full of minor details which make it unbearable.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise of this book intrigued me and I had remembered hearing about the movie though I have not watched it. While most of the story was very interesting and well written, I felt it dragged at times.

Spanning several years you read about the rise and fall of a group of women trying to bring something good out of a tragedy. One of the ladies husband had died from cancer and the calendar was to raise money for Leukemia research funding. These women were all over the age of 45 and eleven of them posed nude (modestly, with all "parts" covered) for the calendar. The last month being a group shot.

They had no idea what a success it would be, nor how it would impact their friendships.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been very interested to read other reviews on this one although as ever, always after I have read the book myself. I don't disagree with a lot of the comments but am surprised at the resulting ratings. I found it to be very interesting indeed as an insight into human nature. Whilst the motivations behind the original idea are laudible enough, by the end of the book the author hardly comes across as altruistic and I didn't really have much time for her. As others have indicated she appears far too scathing and dismissive of others and their point of view. Also interested to find others preferred the film - I've yet to find a film I prefer to it's preceding book!

[Eileen Clark · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so excited to read this book but found it extremely difficult to get through. The sentence structure was poorly constructed and hard to follow. I also found some of the British colloquialism impossible to understand. Tricia seems like a fun loving and dynamic lady but she should have had someone write the book for her. I think it might have been easier to read.

[Bethany · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you loved the movie, skip the book. Ms. Stewart's view seems slanted and she carps on and on about her own importance and the shortcomings of the others. As mother used to say, "If you can't say something nice. . ." Ms. Stewart, I don't like you!

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was only ok. It wasn't bad, but I couldn't ever become truly involved in it. I had already seen the movie. I know that's terrible, but the book wasn't better. I would recommend the movie.

[Malea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gives a whole lot of background to better understand the film. However, lots of British slang throughout the book...

[Diane Mueller · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was disappointed with this book. I had enjoyed the movie but this is nothing like the movie. Back-biting and it just spiraled downward.

[Sonia]

Quite boring to read. But, after all, it's about a true story, so the author has no previous writing skills. I think the movie is better.

[Bonnie]

I enjoyed this memoir. Now will have to see the movie--to compare fact from fiction!

[Tracy Schillemore · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lovely topic, boring book.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really inspiring story.