This post was originally published at Novelicious.com and is now at WritingTipsOasis.com. WritingTipsOasis.com acquired Novelicious.com in June 2022.
As far as I'm aware The Girls' Guide to Hunting and Fishing is a popular book the world over, however, those of you who are new to chick-lit (and it IS chick lit in one of its many forms) will probably not have come across it…
We're going against the rules slightly here as this is more of a collection of shorts than a full on novel, although each story is linked and chronologically follows the life of protagonist, Jane Rosenal.
Atmospheric, smart and punchy, this book is one that I've re-read at various times over the past ten or so years and often use as a marker of how to write.
The synopsis reads…
Jane Rosenal's entrée to the world of significant relationships begins with her older brother's older woman. The bewildered teenager's naive understanding and disbelief as the relationship disintegrates before her eyes should have served as a mighty warning on the perils of the mating game. But, hey, what's a little knowledge without bitter experience? As Jane grows into, and out of, a career in publishing, so she melts into, and out of, a series of pointless affairs. Throw in a few life- shattering personal experiences along the way, a near- disastrous encounter with a self-help manual, How to Meet and Marry Mr Right, and finally, Jane learns the secret that has eluded her for so long. Elegantly written and searingly honest, Melissa Bank's debut novel is one to recommend to all your girlfriends–single or not.
You can find out more about this book here