Girls Only

by Alex Witchel

"What I learned from my father was the boys' lesson of dealing in the world--trust no one and win the first time. What I learned from my mother was the girls' lesson--trust no one and win the first time, but just in case you don't, come home, eat something, talk about it, have a drink, cry a little, then go back out there and try again."



Armed with these simple family tenets, Alex Witchel manages to struggle through a full, challenging and frequently hilarious life. And in GIRLS ONLY she goes on a soul-searching and shopping spree--with the ever present help of her wise (and occasionally exasperating) mother, Barbara, and her exasperating (and occasionally wise) sister, Phoebe.



These three form only the female half of the Witchel nuclear unit, yet they are a family of their own, and with a passionately cliquelike unity they attack the entire range of women's problems, from careers to men to aging to pedicures.

Genres: Memoir, Nonfiction

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Alex Witchel is a staff writer for The New York Times Magazine and also writes "Feed Me," a monthly column for the Times Dining section. The author of the novels The Spare Wife and Me Times Three, she lives in New York City with her husband, Frank Rich.

Reviews

[Lilli Adams · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s a good book, but I also found out by reading it that I’m not the biggest fan of memoirs

[Magda · Rating 3 out of 5]

the book is so much different than my relationship with my mom was and still is.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

An "OK" read. Not a thriller or screaming laughter, just lots of observations on family dynamics between sisters and mothers.

[Valissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Plenty of time to be spirited later on. But when is later? And how fine a line is there between spirited and dangerous?"

[Rusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a light read about relationships between two sisters and their mother. Fun, quick and relaxing read. Makes one think about one's own relationships with sisters and her mother.

[Sarah Draheim · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book made me think about my mom quite a bit. I miss her, so it was a nice way to connect with her again.

[Sue Kozlowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in Manhattan. Alex, her mom Barbara, and sister Phoebee.