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The Recently Deflowered Girl: The Right Thing To Say On Every Dubious Occasion

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Invaluable advice for the recently deflowered girl.

The Recently Deflowered Girl is a tongue-in-cheek guide providing advice for that trickiest of situations. In the voice of Miss Hyachinthe Phypps, Mel Juffe's hilarious yet demure counsel is delightfully accompanied by Edward Gorey's ink and watercolor illustrations.

46 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1965

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Hyacinthe Phypps

6 books2 followers

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5 stars
241 (37%)
4 stars
213 (33%)
3 stars
139 (21%)
2 stars
36 (5%)
1 star
7 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews
Profile Image for Dream.M.
1,043 reviews655 followers
November 6, 2025
این دیگه کتاب کودک نیست.
یک کتاب راهنمای آداب معاشرت برای دختران هستش، و آمدزش میده در موقعیت های خاص چطوری حاضر جواب باشن و جوابهای قانع کننده جذاب و درست بدن.
اگر از ادوارد گوری قبلا چیزی خونده باشید (توی چنل من هست)، طنز باحال تلخ و ابزوردش رو میشناسید و سبک گرافیکی داستان براتون آشناست.
این کتاب ولی بنظر من پخته تر بود از قبلی ها. طنز ستیریکی داره و از آیرونی برای نقد آداب و رسوم احمقانه دهه ۱۹۶۰ آمریکا استفاده کرده. تحلیل های فمنیستی ام داره که حوصلشو ندارم بگم.
خلاصه باحاله. محتواش جنسی نیست اصلا ولی شوخی هاش جوریه که غیرمستقیم به مسائل جنسی اشاره میکنه.
#Edward_Gorey
Profile Image for Greg.
1,128 reviews2,147 followers
December 10, 2009
I tried to explain what I found so funny about this book to some one at work today and I couldn't do it. The basic premise is that a girl meets some type of man, something happens be it a ride in an elevator, a quick interaction on the street, seeing a ghost, etc., and she gets deflowered, and then she says something, the man says something and the woman gives an appropriate response that one would never think to a girl would give in real life.

Explaining jokes doesn't make them funny.

This book is a take off of etiquette guides from a bygone era when youngsters were given reading material that would make them more morally upright than they might turn out otherwise if they happened to let their petticoats down and possibly waltz a little too waltzy like with members of the opposite sex. That makes no fucking sense. Shit.

The responses, and the reasons why a girl would say the things she said, I didn't really find funny. And that was supposed to be the joke. Instead I kept finding the ways the girl would get deflowered hilarious in an absurd way. It was so matter of a fact, like she would lose her virginity right in the middle of doing something really trivial and in a setting that one would normally not lose ones virginity in. I can't explain why this is funny.

I don't think I would recommend buying this book, but it's worth getting a chuckle out of while standing bored at work, if you work someplace where this book is something that is sold. Or maybe if you were in a place where a book like this is sold it might be worth ones time to read through it. The whole book can be read in only a few minutes, and it's much better than reading about some untalented blond asshole celebrities.
Profile Image for Michael.
1,609 reviews212 followers
May 10, 2018


29 Entjungferungsszenarien und wie die Frau von Welt damit umgeht. Sehr kurze, skurrile Texte, die als Gattung wohl dem Witz am nächsten stehen.
Ein Anstandsbuch aus der klugen, guten, alten Zeit? Als ich auf den Titel stieß, mußte ich das Büchlein einfach haben. So ganz vom Hocker gehauen hat es mich dann nicht, aber es ist doch eigentümlich schräg und ich vermute, dass es zur Zeit seiner Entstehung nicht minder eigenwillig und unzeitgemäß als heute war.
Am besten ein Beispiel für einen solchen Text:

"Entjungferung von Marimbaspieler
Nach Entjungferung stellen Sie fest, daß Ihre Eltern einer Heirat mit schnauzbärtigem Marimbaspieler einfach nicht zustimmen wollen.
Man hindert Sie daran, ein zweites Treffen einzufädeln, aber Sie sehen ihn dann zufällig beim Wohltätigkeitsball des Christlichen Vereins Junger Töchter. Er spielt im Orchester Los Amigos.
In einer Pause gehen Sie zu ihn rüber. Sie sagen:
"Es tut mir irrsinnig leid, Harold, aber meine Eltern haben mir verboten, Sie zu heiraten."
Er sagt: "Das macht nichts, Baby. Ich bin seit Jahren glücklich verheiratet."
Sie sagen: "Wie hat Ihre Frau ihre Eltern nur rumgekriegt?"

Ihr größtes Problem scheint zu sein, die Zustimmung Ihrer Eltern zu finden. Es ist klug von Ihnen, daß Sie sich umsehen wollen, wie andere Mädchen das machen."


Die Texte hätten bestimmt einer sehr lieben Freundin von mir gefallen, mit der mich vor allem die Liebe zu Arno Schmidt, zum Rauchen (ja, auch so etwas hat man mal gemacht), zu Arno Schmidt (nochmal & immer wieder), zu einem Glase Wein oder Wodka und zu Arno Schmidt (wie vor) verbunden hat. Sie war auch einer kleinen Anzüglichkeit oder Zote nie abgeneigt, einer ihrer kurzen Lieblingswitze lautet:
"Schatz, ich habe eine neue Stellung!" - "Such dir lieber Arbeit, du Schwein."

Und ich höre sie in meiner Vorstellung über diese Textchen lachen, höre sie einen nach dem anderen vorlesen, unterbrochen von einer Zigarette und einem Schlückchen Hochprozentigem, der die Texte noch witziger macht. Ja, ganz zeitgemäß war sie wohl nie, aber einer der tollsten Menschen, die mir je begegnet sind. Niemand hat mein (Lese)Leben so beeinflußt wie sie. Und ganz zeitgenössisch sind eben diese Texte auch nicht, aber gerade das macht sie auch irgendwie sympathisch.
Lediglich die Zeichnungen von Gorey, für die er ansonsten ja durchaus gerühmt ist, sind in diesem Bändchen nicht besonders beeindruckend.

Zum Abschluß "zum Abgewöhnen" - und weil es so gut zum Thema Lesen paßt, den letzten Anstandstext aus dem Büchlein:

"Entjungfert von prominentem Dichter
Sie besuchen prominenten Dichter und zeigen ihm Ihre Gedichte. Nach Entjungferung sagen Sie: "Der letzte, bei dem ich mit meinen Gedichten war, hat alles ganz anders gemacht als Sie."
Der Dichter, der auf dem Bettrand sitzt und die Sockenhalter festschnallt, sagt:
"Er schreibt ja auch anders als ich."
Sie sagen: "Ah, Sie schreiben auch?"

Im Leben geht es um Menschen in Fleisch und Blut, nicht um Geschriebenes."


In diesem Sinne!
Profile Image for Iris.
283 reviews18 followers
January 9, 2009
Sex, dry humor, 19th-century-style sketches, girl culture and guides to manners: these are a few of my favorite things united here by Edward Gorey, who always does it best.

"The Recently Deflowered Girl" guides us through the most common virginity-loss scenarios (Deflowerment by Method Actor, Deflowerment by Ghost of Valentino, Deflowerment in Moroccan Palace), followed a note by "H.P." (Hyacinthe Phyppes -- Edward Gorey's pseudonym here) explaining the proper response to typical feminine dilemmas.

Though I hope to own a copy someday, scans are available on a livejournal page.
Profile Image for David.
603 reviews51 followers
April 22, 2015
If this excerpt amuses you then you will like The Recently Deflowered Girl.

Deflowered by Marimba Player

After being deflowered, you discover that your parents refuse to give consent to marriage with mustachioed marimba player.
You are prevented from arranging another rendezvous, but you see him by chance at Junior League charity tea dance. He is playing in rhumba band. At intermission, you meet.
You say, "I'm terribly sorry, Harold, but my parents won't let me marry you."
He says, "That's all right, baby. I've been happily married for years."
You say: "How did your wife get her parents' consent?"

Your main difficulty apparently is in getting the consent of your parents. It is wise to learn how other girls get theirs. MISS H. P.

Profile Image for Liz.
605 reviews23 followers
August 12, 2015
This is the most perfect book. I bought it for myself, devoured it twice through without even closing it in between readings, and cannot wait to force it upon others as a friendship test: I cannot like you unless you like this.
Profile Image for Schmacko.
262 reviews73 followers
January 3, 2013
This short book (really by Edward Gorey) is funny and dark. It's sort of an etiquette book....kinda... I wish it were longer, because I laughed several times at the dubious advice to the recently deflowered, and I LOVED Gorey's drawings.
Profile Image for Juan Carlos.
491 reviews52 followers
April 12, 2022
Simpático, las ilustraciones de Edward Gorey estupendas como siempre.
3.5 estrellas.
Profile Image for Raimondo Lagioia.
88 reviews23 followers
December 25, 2021
Well! If I were an adventurous Edwardian lass whose maidenhead is due for some a-breachin', I'm sure that I would have found this book eminently useful. Because when it comes to matters of utmost delicacy, no one can match the wit and probity of the sagacious Miss Hyacinthe Phypps.

Seriously though, this is one amusing, wicked read. I just hope Emily Post won't have a conniption fit when she espies this gem. All her touted perspicacity would hit a brick wall when confronted with the distressing predicament of hymenal virtue despoiled by a Chinese detective, say, or in a seance.

Even with the admittedly controversial subject matter, it is all very wholesome. I found nothing objectionable or inordinately graphic in both the text and in Gorey's illustrations. My pearls (and knickers) remain unclutched.

My only cavil is that it is all too brief. The reading public would be better served by the inclusion of more illustrative situations, like the optimal approach to deflowerment by antediluvian Lovecraftian monsters or by amorous Mediterranean trinket peddlers.

8/10; 4 stars.
Profile Image for Micah Genest.
Author 4 books9 followers
May 28, 2019
Haha, this is one of those types of books that you read, then laugh, then think, then wonder why it’s funny, then feel bad, and then laugh feeling guilty, but not really, but kinda.

I have so much respect for books that can take mature content, make it seem innocent, and then make you laugh (while you look side to side, making sure no one sees what you’re reading) all the while you rethink, again, what you actually learnt.

What was it again?

Profile Image for Regina.
2,150 reviews37 followers
February 7, 2019
Funny quips in awkward situations upon losing ones flower. Also for fans of Edward Gorey; don't let the softer lighter artwork on the cover discourage you from enjoying some lovely artwork inside.
Profile Image for Nayareth Gutiérrez Vera.
20 reviews15 followers
December 25, 2024
“Thrift is a virtue men like to find in a woman…”

I laughed. This is weirdly (and funnily, enough) amusing. The combination between vintage-looking illustrations (vintage even for the 60s!!!) and the tongue-in-cheek anecdotes and ‘advice’ made it more than enjoyable. I love this kind of writing, that doesn’t necessarily takes itself too seriously.
Profile Image for Radwa.
Author 1 book2,308 followers
March 5, 2018
Dry humor about girls losing their virginity (out of the blue!) and what they should say in these bizarre situations. lol.

It's humorous, but I feel like I didn't "get" most of the jokes.
Profile Image for Maryfaith Fox.
1 review3 followers
January 10, 2019
Most of the reviewers appear to have discovered this book quite recently. I have the distinction of having received it as a gift in 1965 from my deflowerer. The ridiculous situations, kooky illustrations and the wise advice of Miss Phypps have made this a favorite ever since. Recognizing the virtues of a guy with a sense of humor, I married him. The Recently Deflowered Girl was the first volume on our shared bookshelves.
Profile Image for Colin Rush.
10 reviews1 follower
December 28, 2009
Reviews from the back cover of a UK edition of this book:
"There are surely lessons to be learned here by all of us." -LADY EMILY SLOTTISCHE
"An invaluable guide." -UNMARRIED MOTHER OF SIX
"This book recalls many happy memories." -THE REVEREND RANDY POTT, Rector of St. Jarvis-in-the-Sludge
Profile Image for Angela.
172 reviews1 follower
January 14, 2024
Why I'm interested in this book at the first place
I love Edward Gorey's illustrations. Also, been curious on the what the cheeky title is all about.

What do I think of this book... now that I've done reading it
It's a "guide" book for what a lady should say/behave once she loses her virginity.

Ah, okay. 🤣

+
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. What else more could I say?

-


Get this
1. This book caused a "ruckus" back in 2009; if you intend to own a copy, it's a perfect coffee table book. https://www.bookfinder.com/books/book...
Profile Image for Suz Davidson.
126 reviews1 follower
January 19, 2018
An attempt at posthumously capturing the ethereal whimsy of Edward Gorey, but it doesn't quite ring true. The illustrations (by Gorey) are delightful, but the text (by Phypps) is not. Far too many rapey scenarios, and far too little of the magic Gorey captured in his own writing. I was disappointed, but give credit for the attempt.
Profile Image for Diet Coca.
42 reviews
May 16, 2020
Wit and humour readjustment needed to appreciate this short piece. While it is tongue-in-cheek and irreverent in fragments, no amount of saucy wit can really save the antiquity. Thank God for 21st century wokeness. What are we without the splice of today’s crassness and personal principles but dignified schmucks.
Profile Image for books4chess.
237 reviews21 followers
May 21, 2021
Its simple and satirical, the perfect combination.

I couldn't quite explain why I was laughing so much but each page resulted in at least a chuckle if not an outright guffaw.

Occasionally I still open it to any random page for a giggle.
Profile Image for João Moura.
Author 4 books23 followers
May 29, 2021
Um humorístico manual feminino do que dizer a um homem após se perder a virgindade nas mais diversas situações? Com ilustrações de Edward Gorey a acompanhar? Não poderia ser mais estranho do que isto...
Profile Image for Gabriela Della Corna.
125 reviews
July 6, 2025
Hilarious and mighty empowering for all the recently deflowered girls. 20 single page situations including the likes of Deflowerment at Seance and Deflowered by Elevator Operator. Couldn’t think of more perfect illustrations to accompany each scenario, by the iconic Edward Gorey. I love this book.
Profile Image for Kayley.
229 reviews
January 8, 2017
Believe it or not, I acquired this book by mistake. It's humorous, classic, and has a distinct tone to it. For a quick read, I can't complain.
Profile Image for Gabriel Infierno.
294 reviews8 followers
February 17, 2019
Es un libro de chistes sobre que decir en diferentes e imaginarias ocasiones donde une puede perder la virginidad, es increíble que este libro sea del 65 y encima ilustrado por Gorey, toda una joya.
Profile Image for Amanda.
48 reviews
April 1, 2019
Oh Jesus that was hard to read in this day and age. I'm sure it was funny at some point or another, but not anymore. Two stars because I still love Edward Gorey illustrations.
1 review
April 1, 2019
Lovely satiric fun, wonderful drawings by the inimitable Edward Gorey.
Profile Image for Lynzy.
606 reviews5 followers
Read
April 20, 2022
Weird, but has its funny moments.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 78 reviews

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