Oh You Pretty Thing

by V.G. Lee

VG Lee’s second collection of short stories is both comic and poignant. From the Wild West to Stoke Newington, and from a Greek island taverna to a Hemel Hempstead shopping mall, her characters stumble through life and love against all odds.

‘A writer at the top of her game. Heart-wrenchingly tragic, but in the warmest of ways. Absolutely recommended’ - Kiki Archer

‘Hugely engaging. A new book from VG Lee is a cause for celebration’ - Jim MacSweeney, Gay’s The Word

Genres: Short Stories, LGBT

156 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2019

About the author

VG Lee is a comedian and author of five novels and two collections of short stories. In 2012, Lee was nominated for a Stonewall Award for writing and in 2014 she won the Ultimate Planet Award for Best Established Author. Her most recent novel, Mr Oliver’s Object of Desire was runner up for the YLVA Publishing Literary Prize for Fiction 2017.
Lee is also one of the judges for the prestigious Polari Prize. Her second short story collection, Oh You Pretty Thing was published by Tollington Press in February 2019.

Reviews

[Carol Hutchinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a quirky and comedic collection of short stories that really spoke to me as a reader.

I loved the way they were written, almost as if they were memoirs. An amazing variety of topics were covered by colourful, and wonderfully unique characters that personally I loved. The vintage feel to the book sums up a few of the stories, and really makes it a beautiful book themed well but also containing more modern stories.

Each story presented me with a different emotional experience from laughing, to crying, and empathising with each of the characters giving their ‘memoir’ or story. They were very relatable and everything was handled in sensitive, and meaningful ways that made the stories authentic and realistic.

The collection contained a variety of stories, all different lengths and there really was something in there for everyone. (Julie’s was probably my favourite) Very enjoyable, and really good for the soul. I can highly recommend VG Lee’s collection for any reader that loves something a bit different but ingenious and full of heart.

[holl · Rating 5 out of 5]

OUTSTANDING!!!!

[Elle William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this collection was a such an emotional experience, it took three months to complete. Gaps were needed between each short story to allow me to digest what had happened, and, yes, recover. I've read all of VG Lee's books, and enjoyed them all. This collection though is her best work, and it seems, the most personal. It has laugh-out-loud moments as well as gentle, subtle humour. And then there are the poignant parts that pack such a punch. It might just be the first ever book that I read a second time, once I have recovered from this time. Also, this is the first time I have submitted an online book review!

[Paul Burston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like her earlier short story collection, As You Step Outside, this new book demonstrates Lee's range as a writer. But there's a greater maturity here. There's still plenty of her trademark wit on offer, but there are some sad tales too. Some stories combine elements of both comedy and tragedy, and each is deftly handled. As always, it's the characterisation that draws you in, whether it's the young married woman in denial about her relationship or the fabulous monster Deirdre, who has appeared in previous stories and novels by the author. I can't recommend this collection highly enough.

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short stories, mainly written to appeal to lesbians; however, in my opinion, any woman might enjoy them. I suspect most of the stories draw on the author's own life, friends and acquaintances. Well-drawn characters, interesting action and plenty of humour to leaven the poignancy.

[Gill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy VG Lee's writing. This is a quick and easy collection of short stories.

[David Gee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of lesbian short stories would not be my usual choice of holiday reading, but I enjoyed this selection immensely. Valerie Lee is a member of Gay Authors Workshop, one of our most talented members, I have to say. Several of her stories feature women who married men before they realized they preferred the company of women. Lesbians with straight women friends is another recurring theme, which generates some crisp comedy, like Deirdre in the final story: ‘I am not a lesbian, but I’m open to temptation.’

V.G.Lee’s ladies live ordinary lives. They experience small joys, small slights, small disappointments. In the title story, a novella, Julie’s marriage disintegrates slowly and cruelly. In another ironically titled novella, The Time of Their Lives, Cathy remembers her vile father: “We needed the handprints he’d left across our lives to fade”; she more fondly recalls a lesbian aunt who danced in and out of her nieces’ lives and left an indelibly glamorous wake.

These are fiercely honest stories written in a crystal clear prose. This is very, very fine writing

[Lesa Ruby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of VG Lee’s work (more than once) and she never fails to disappoint. This collection is no different. I gobbled the stories up greedily in one sitting, immediately plotting a re-read. The stories took me through a range of emotions - laughter, sorrow, surprise. This book has it all. Well done!!

[Tam · Rating 2 out of 5]

First, there should be a trigger warning for detailed descriptions of rape and violent hate crimes. Second, the first quarter of the book is written in a style you’d expect to read from a school kid. That said, the content and topics are very real and it’s important that hetero folks understand some of the persecution that LGBT folks face, or that it is normal for people to question their sexuality. Some of the stories are page turners, but others slogs. Overall, it’s an interesting collection of short stories, but I wouldn’t read any of them again.