Honestly: Notes on Life by Nikki Gemmell

by Nikki Gemmell

Celebrating a year of thought-provoking and fascinating columns in THE AUSTRALIAN WEEKEND MAGAZINE, HONESTLY is a collection of writing on a diverse range of subjects such as motherhood after 40, the end of a close friendship, the joy of a handwritten letter, connecting with nature, the necessity of tweezers, meeting the Queen and oral sex.Including exclusive new essays, the pieces are full of frank and uplifting insights, hilarious anecdotes, and some painful yet touching truths. Famous for her lyrical honesty and for fearlessly saying those things other women think but dare not say.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

First published December 1, 2012

About the author

Nikki Gemmell has written four novels, Shiver, Cleave, Lovesong, The Bride Stripped Bare and The Book Of Rapture, and one non-fiction book, Pleasure: An Almanac for the Heart. Her work has been internationally critically acclaimed and translated into many languages.

In France she's been described as a female Jack Kerouac, in Australia as one of the most original and engaging authors of her generation and in the US as one of the few truly original voices to emerge in a long time.

The French literary review "Lire" has included her in a list of what it calls the fifty most important writers in the world - the ones it believes will have a significant influence on the literature of the 21st century. The criteria for selection included a very individual voice and unmistakeable style, as well as an original choice of subject. Nikki Gemmell was selected along with such novelists as Rick Moody, Zadie Smith, Jonathan Safran Froer, Rohinton Mistry, Tim Winton, Colum McCann, Michel Faber and Hari Kunzru among others.

Born in Wollongong, Australia, she now lives in London.

Reviews

[Suz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very very good. All gals young and old should read this one to share. Review to come after Cobar holiday.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forced myself to pace this one so I could savor every piece for the gem it was. Thank you Libby!

[Libby Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laugh, cry. Love the way Nikki has crafted these columns.

[Louise Donegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable collection of Gemmell’s best columns. Particularly enjoyed the female perspective of transitioning from life in London back into Australia. A definite ode to the country she loves.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

She wrote many things that I can't articulate. Felt like sitting down with an old girlfriend to chat endlessly over coffee...I wished the book didn't end.

[Jeanette Jansons · Rating 3 out of 5]

Collections are always by their nature uneven. Some brilliant incisive columns which this old-fashioned reader photocopied to keep. Her preoccupations (which I share) include peace, stillness and things beyond what our eyes can see.

[Vanessa Mckay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Nikki Gemmell. She is an intelligent, honest writer.

[Eissa Alnufaily · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smoothly witten, just not my favor cup of tea,