Virgin

by Hollie McNish

Virgin snow
Virgin mojitos
Virgin mother
Virgin Mary

one little six-letter word that holds such incredible power. The power to pressure, to judge, to harm, to praise, to profit, to punish. But virginity is also just a concept, a label that has been pressed upon people for centuries in numerous cultures worldwide.

In this highly anticipated collection of poetry, Hollie McNish unpicks the role this word has played in her own life, as well as others, with her trademark mix of humour, fury and compassion. Whether considering if Mary was a fan of her own nickname, to rejoicing her annual excitement in ice cream vans, to looking back on how ridiculously she ate creamy mashed potato with her family after apparently 'losing' her own virginity, she examines in her own inimitable way the tracks this concept makes throughout so many minds, and the possibilities of freedom.

At times hilarious, at times harrowing, always hopeful - a poetic love letter against the more nefarious effects of purity culture packed with stacks of honeycomb, hand holds and early morning light.

Genres: Poetry, Feminism

163 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 16, 2025

Reviews

[Ria Simmons · Rating 5 out of 5]

one thing is for certain; if Hollie writes it i’m going to love it

[Alyce King · Rating 5 out of 5]

wow. this will educate, make you think differently, and question what you accept and really don't want to accept any longer. Highly recommend. Hollie is an incredible poet and writer.

[Salomée Lou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so honoured I was able to read this before its publication date. I'm a huge fan of everything / anything Hollie McNish writes and this book was, once again, a delight. I love how she played with form more and reading the poems asked us readers to be more engaged and interact with the pieces in different ways/through different languages too sometimes! Hollie McNish is a national treasure and I am so happy she's making poetry accessible, fun, yet profound, moving and political.

[Greg S · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a powerfully feminist collection of poems. Full of passion and kindness and love and sex. Full of lines that made me gasp or call out in agreed frustration. Some are very funny or full of gorgeous nostalgia. Some are brilliantly political. Above all I get the impression that Hollie McNish is clearly just a good person who cares deeply about the human experience.

[Bea Alabaster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every time Hollie McNish releases a new collection, I always think 'I don't know if I'm ready for another one'. And then I start reading and realise that was stupid and I'm actually always ready for another one. It’s incredible how, in so few words, she can move a reader through anger, sadness, laughter, love and everything in between. Bloody genius.

[Catherine Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollie McNish could publish her shopping list and it would still make me laugh and cry, feel angry, and sad and full of love all at the same time. She just has a poem for every occasion and every feeling, and is so unpretentious about it. Love love love.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again, Hollie McNish has given us a glorious book of poems that will make you laugh, cry, rage, and think.

Centred around the eponymous yet completely fabricated notion of virginity and everything it entails, Hollie McNish uses prose to address the ludicrous societal expectations set upon (mostly) women and young girls and their "virginity". Entwined with Hollie's own thoughts and experiences and the occasional quote from various sources (at the beginning of sections), this book is a must-read for any woman (and man, y'all should read it too).

Thank you so much to the publishers and Hollie for gifting me an advance copy of this fabulous book!

[Clare Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love everything Hollie writes.

[Joanne Mango · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think my favourite poem was on food and love, also the well-loved (on instagram) poem "Call Me" to our daughters living young in this messed up world.

The poems flipped from joy and softness to utter rage - fond and beautiful descriptions of sex and love gave way to frustrations of the corruption of it through exploitation and violence. The mantra "rape is not sex" was a recurring theme.

This is the first time I have seen the phrase 'yoni massage' in a poetry book so an extra star for that.

I liked the line "your scriptures were never my sin" from the poem 'virginity, loss' and am glad Hollie was able to ditch that message which so many of us perhaps from more entrenched religious cultures have had such an internal battle with.

I couldn't help but compare with Hollie's previous books. I loved Slug and still think foldly of Papers, particularly the gorgeous poems about grandmothers and the more fiercely political poems about immigration or the absurdity of blowing Flo Rider's Whistle. This didn't really hit the spot for me.

[Ally Dunavant · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just love Hollie McNish. This collection wasn’t my favorite of hers, but I love the themes she explored throughout and how skillful she is at penning a gorgeous line. She reminds me (as if I could forget) how much right women have to be angry all the time. Frankly, it’s a wonder any of us get things done.

[Ricardo Motti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Poetry is
better when
it’s cynic

Sometimes this is
But other times it’s
not so
three stars

[Milly Percival · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Stars - as always.

[Eabha Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

you know it’s a rare treat for me to find a book worth sitting up past midnight to finish in one sitting, but it is an even rarer treat to see my favourite poet ever at a gig in lancaster. virgin is hollie’s brand new book, it is a compact collection that treads the delicate line between wit and devastation and makes it look easy. i loved this book, i especially loved the love poems about her gran. bigly recommend

[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book of poems so I wasn’t sure how I’d like it but reading a chapter a day gave me thinking time between sections and really made me reflect and actual think about what I read. I’d be interested in reading more of her work since it felt like I was talking to her in person and she was real

[Tessa King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning. Hollie McNish is the most gorgeous writer. Gave me loads to think about, laugh at and feel angry/sad at.

[Jane Simmons-Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Emmie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Hollie McNish; this one was just okay, though (in my opinion).

The poems have heart. A handful of them gave me genuine pause. But for me, there's a lot of repetition of themes here (especially so if you've already read her other works, like Slug or Lobster).

The "Making Love" section had quite a few "gimmicky" things like diagrams for origami, a crossword, etc. I've no doubt some folks will love them, and I genuinely hope Hollie had fun making them, but they just weren't for me and aren't the reason I buy poetry collections, you know?

My favourite parts were the beginning pages of each section, actually. I really, really like her long-form writing, more akin to personal essays. I wish there'd been a bit more of that and a little less of the other stuff.

But it's still a solid collection, that makes some devastatingly astute points (beautifully, at that). I think I just prefer Lobster a lot more.

[Ellie (bookmadbarlow) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollie McNish never fails to challenge a way of thinking and after reading this collection I'm left questioning a lot.
This is a short book compared to her last two collections, but it definitely still packs a punch.

[jessica ౨ৎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i really wasn’t sure how i wanted to rate this, but i think that 4 stars is appropriate. i adore hollie mcnish and whilst this book didn’t absolutely change my life like slug did, it was still impactful and thought provoking

[Katie Treggiden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollie McNish is a brilliant, brilliant poet and a spokesperson for our times. To be able to create an entire collection of poetry, and brilliant poetry at that, around the notion of virginity–wow! I can only aspire to write like Hollie does.

[Katey Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Timely.

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Hollie’s poems and her books are the kind I want my children to read. Great sociological commentary. Had the pleasure of seeing her perform on her book tour!

[Emily Wearmouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another absolute banger from Ms McNish.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick, sharp, funny, wise.

[Kimberly Pendleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hits right in the heart as usual, but also very funny, again as usual! Hollie writes so beautifully, and her poems are so accessible. Highly recommend.

[Laura Lloyd (Hoggard) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollie is an incredible poet, putting into words what others cannot. Her words emit such emotion and this was a joy to read.

[Lily Peacock · Rating 5 out of 5]

luminescent. I cried many times. Painful and real and beautiful and inspiring. I wish was Hollie McNish and I wish I was near Hollie McNish. But mostly Im just happy she exists. Compulsory reading.

[kenzie · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting - ‘imaginary father-son talk, bored of my constant non-imaginary mother-daughter talks’ especially thought provoking.

[Sephy Hallow · Rating 5 out of 5]

McNish is an incredible writer, and her words punched me before kissing it better. I can't wait to pick up another volume of her stunning poetry.

[Edward Daniell · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The doctor frowns. Asks what contraception you'll be using. You say cunnilingus. She doesn't laugh."