The Nice Girl's Guide to Good Behavior

by Monica Redlich

First published in 1935, this subversive tome purports to be a classic etiquette guide to good behavior for young women. Yet hidden beneath its civilized tone is a classic satire that provides a dubious blueprint for becoming the "right" sort of girl. From razor-sharp lessons in female one-up-manship ("I'm sure this would fit you. It's vast on me") to absurd dating instructions ("If a particular friend has not telephoned you for over a week, this can mean one thing only. He is afraid of being a nuisance. Common courtesy insists that you ring him up and reassure him.") this tome's "advice," coupled with charming period photographs, is as timely and amusing as ever.

Genres: Nonfiction

160 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1935

Reviews

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first edition - published 1935. Purchased because of the illustrations by Anna Zinkeisen, which are delightful and briliantly capture the tone of this witty and amusing book. Recommend to any P G Wodehouse fans, or indeed Agatha Christie (I think some of her characters may well have read this guide). The cover is stunning - textured brocade cloth in pinks and creams and a wonderful Zinkeisen girl with cloven hooves!

[Maggie V · Rating 2 out of 5]

Although this book is supposed to be subversive, I didn't find it as amusing, snarky, or even interesting as I had thought when I picked it up. I'm reading from a modern perspective where I'm expecting less subtlety and less stereotyping. To me, the author was perpetuating catty, nasty women stereotypes instead of subverting them (again, my perspective may not be the right one for this book). To be fair, I skimmed the last half of the book, but from what I saw this didn't change. It felt like a how-to guide for a character from Gossip Girl. Apologies if this review sounded harsh ... there were some amusing parts but not enough for me to enjoy the book.

[Louise Culmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book purports to be a guide to good behaviour, but is actually the opposite, all advice given shows how to be as malicious, manipulative and greedy as possible. it gives advice on appropriate comments to make to your friends on every occasion, for example to a friend congratulating you on getting married: " thank you, Angela, i only wish we could manage to find someone for you." Advice about how to behave at social events, like the opera "Do not talk too loud while people are singing, for Sir Thomas Beecham does not care for it."
The trouble is that, while amusing for a short time, this sort of thing gets monotonous very quickly. it would have made an amusing magazine article, but for a whole book, even a short one, it goes on far too long.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I find books like this need to be either hilariously funny or tongue in cheek while still being useful, but this book wasn't quite either.

[Margot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Monica Redlich is a deliciously delightful bitch. A hilarious, fascinating read. Made me feel like I'd time travelled to 30s England as a naiveley, stuck-up "nice" young lady.

[Andre Torrejón) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Following a similar line as Anita Loos' "gentlemen prefer blondes" this masterpiece of sarcasm is a guide of how to be the ultimate stuck-up golddigging 1930s snarky evil bitch, and it's hilarious.
No, it doesn't perpetuate unhealthy stereotypes, because, you are not supposed to follow this guide! The title is completely ironic! The cover of original edition (the one I have) portrays an adorable young woman in pink and from under the heart-shaped ribboned-skirt we can see two little hooves peeking out. yeah. goat feet. Further editions just have the picture of a flapper on the cover and apparently this confuses readers that try to take this seriously, and say this book is very bad advice.
well yeah. That's the whole point!.
Anyway. If you are in for a vintage laugh, this might be your book. And if you decide to follow the advice, I must warn you that you probably lose a lot of friends, but you might be able to marry well!