How to Build a Girl (novel)

How to Build a Girl is a coming-of-age novel by British author Caitlin Moran, published in 2014. The novel follows Johanna Morrigan, a working-class teenager from Wolverhampton, England, in the early 1990s, who reinvents herself as a flamboyant and cutting-edge music journalist named Dolly Wilde.

The story charts Johanna's journey as she navigates the world of music criticism, sexuality, and self-discovery. Initially naive and eager to please, Dolly Wilde quickly gains notoriety for her brutally honest and often scathing reviews. As she becomes more successful and immersed in the hedonistic lifestyle of the music industry, Johanna grapples with the ethical implications of her work and the impact it has on both the artists she critiques and her own identity.

The novel is known for its humorous and irreverent tone, its exploration of female sexuality and empowerment, and its sharp social commentary on class and gender. It is a fictionalized account drawing inspiration from Moran's own experiences as a teenage music journalist.

How to Build a Girl was adapted into a film of the same name, released in 2019, starring Beanie Feldstein as Johanna Morrigan. The book received positive reviews and has been praised for its wit, charm, and relatable portrayal of adolescence.