Nobody Told Me

by Hollie McNish
Nobody Told Me cover
Good Books rating 4.0
Parenting and Relationships
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Paperback • £12.99
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  • ID: 3585
  • Added: 2025-10-18
  • Updated: 2025-10-19
  • ISBN: 9780349134345
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2016-02-04
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

Hollie McNish's 'Nobody Told Me' is a candid and relatable exploration of motherhood, delving into the unspoken truths and humorous realities of raising a child in modern Britain. From the unexpected reactions of family and friends to the practical challenges of parenting, McNish shares her journey with wit and honesty. The book is a collection of poems and stories that touch on themes such as commercialism, gender, and the struggles of balancing parenthood with personal identity. McNish's writing is both deeply personal and universally relatable, offering a fresh perspective on the complexities of modern parenting.

Reviews
Novels Teacups · Novels Teacups · 2022-10-11
engaging 4.00

The reviewer finds the writing candid and funny, appreciating the playful yet serious discussion of gendered chasms in domestic division.

Novels Teacups praises Hollie McNish's writing as candid and funny, with a perfect balance of playfulness and seriousness. The reviewer particularly enjoys how McNish discusses the policies that create gendered chasms in the domestic division of labor. This duality makes the collection both entertaining and thought-provoking, offering a nuanced look at the challenges and realities of motherhood. The reviewer finds the book to be a raw, funny, and fascinating account that resonates deeply with readers.

Quick quotes

    Her writing is candid and funny, playful yet serious,

    as she discusses the policies that create gendered chasms in the domestic division of labor.

    This duality makes the collection both entertaining and thought-provoking.

Esa Brown Blog · Esa Brown · 2017-03-10
insightful 4.00

The reviewer feels enlightened about the realities of pregnancy and parenting after reading the book, praising its insightful and candid nature.

Esa Brown shares that after finishing 'Nobody Told Me', they feel much more enlightened about the realities of pregnancy and parenting. The reviewer appreciates the book's insightful and candid nature, which provides a raw and honest look into the experiences of motherhood. Brown highlights how the collection offers a unique perspective that is both enlightening and relatable, making it a valuable read for anyone interested in understanding the complexities of parenthood.

Quick quotes

    After finishing 'Nobody Told Me', I feel a hell of a lot more enlightened on the realities of pregnancy and parenting.

    The book offers a raw and honest look into the experiences of motherhood.

    It provides a unique perspective that is both enlightening and relatable.

The Guardian · Lucy Scholes · 2017-02-26
heartwarming 4.00

The reviewer appreciates the raw and honest portrayal of motherhood, finding the rhymes urgent and the prose warm and conversational.

Lucy Scholes from The Guardian highlights the driving quality of McNish's rhymes, which effectively capture fleeting feelings. She finds the prose warm and conversational, making it feel like a personal conversation. Scholes particularly values the honesty and warmth with which McNish discusses motherhood, making the collection relatable and engaging. The reviewer also notes the urgency in McNish's words, which adds a layer of intensity to the poems and stories.

Quick quotes

    Her rhymes have a driving quality, urgent words pinning down fleeting feelings,

    her prose is warm and conversational, like speaking to a friend.

    McNish’s honesty and warmth make this collection relatable and engaging.

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