Virgin: 'Hollie McNish's words always sweep me away' Giovanna Fletcher

by Hollie McNish

'Like Pam Ayres on acid' LEMN SISSAY
'Energising, fearless and joyful' SARA PASCOE
'Hollie has such a wonderful voice. Warm, relatable, smart and funny' SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR
'Funny, so smart and refreshingly honest' SARAH MILLICAN
'One of the best poets we have' MATT HAIG

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

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

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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

[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

[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.

[Mrs L · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved Hollie since my friend surprised me by sending me a copy of Nobody Told Me. Virgin has not disappointed. I found myself shouting YESSS lots and needing everyone I love to read it too!