Norma Fontaine lives in a perfect woman's world of handy tips and sensible advice. Whether it's choosing the right foundation garment or practising feminine allure through meticulous grooming, Norma measures life by the standards set in the magazines she reads. So when she bumps into Mr Hands and he suggests taking tea at the Excella cafe, how could she possibly refuse? What could be more exhilarating, or more appropriate?
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Review
"'The most wildly original novel produced in this country in the past decade... a work of genius' Neel Mukherjee, The Times * 'An exquisitely wayward work of art and outright comic masterpiece... charming, chilling, sinister, surreal and utterly unforgettable' Scotsman * 'Dazzling' Alexander Masters, Evening Standard * 'Barmy but brilliant' Raymond Briggs * 'This book is astounding... William Burroughs let loose with dressmaker's scissors in the hyper-real landscape of an early sixties Ladybird book... Truly wonderful' Patrick McCabe"
About the Author
GRAHAM RAWLE is a writer and collage artist whose visual work incorporates illustration, design, photography and installation. His popular series, 'Lost Consonants' and 'Vowel Movements', appeared in the Guardian 'Weekend' magazine for many years. Among his published books are The Wonder Book of Fun, Lying Doggo and Diary of an Amateur Photographer. He lives in London.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
40 of 43 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
The first and most important thing to say about this extraordinary book is that it is a cracking good read. A novel to read in one sitting. Both a work of art and a real page turner. Don't be scared off by its unconventional appearance. Or the rave press reviews bandying about words such as 'genius and madness', 'barmy and brilliant' and 'possibly metafiction's first best seller'. Although all these things are true this is only part of the package. Once you become familiar with the format of the presentation - and it really takes no time - you gallop through the story simply because you are desperate to know what happens next. Graham Rawle has taken words and phrases from 1960s woman's magazines and cut and pasted them in the original form to create something visually unique. As a means of communication however it can, at first glance, appear somewhat daunting. Don't be daunted. The story more than stands up on its own - this is no smoke and mirror device to distract from any shortcomings in the plot. The story he tells is not only enhanced by his means of communication but pretty soon you realise that it is the only way that this story could possibly be told. And indeed much of the humour comes from the reality of the phrases which have been taken directly from his vast collection of 1960s women's magazines. The story itself grips from the start. The story of a sad and strange family - how sad and strange only becomes apparent as the story unfolds. But often laugh out loud funny. The main characters held me from the start - I cared for them. I despaired of them. I rooted for them and wanted to shake them. Often on the same page. I would say buy this book.... Read more ›
12 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is an excellent read on so many different levels. It is a very original story with a plot that moves at a cracking pace. I totally disagree with one amazon reviewer who said the book lacked plot! I really don't get that. Don't be worried that because it is a graphic novel it will be hard to read - it isn't. Not only is it easy to read, but the graphics really give the novel it's own voice, the characters come to life. You can see them, hear them, laugh with (or at) them and empathise with them. Visually, it is a joy to look at. I chose this book for our bookclub - our ages range from 30's to 70's - and everyone enjoyed it; there was loads to discuss not only about the book, but the subjects within society that the book raises. Break out of the norm and try something new: you'll be glad you did!
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Noiram
Format:Paperback
This is less of a read and more of a thrilling performance piece. The use of collage means that not only are you enthralled aesthetically but the writing with genre elements and real suspense are truly riveting. Add fantastically black humour (laugh out loud) and startling reveals with unexpected twists and turns and you have a genuine classic.
Enough said - Girls, read this book.
Enough said - Girls, read this book.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is an amazing text, both a work of art and a mighty fine read. From the beginning I was completely hooked. The fragmentation in the narrative is masterfully worked so that the rather curious voice of Norma and indeed Roy, comes through with real clarity. The plot is much more surprising than I anticipated as I reckoned I'd cracked the story very early on but was intrigued by the nuances of the story itself and was not prepared for the end of the novel. I would love to learn more about the process of writing this novel which stirred my imagination to such a point that at numerous points in the story I said to myself ' I wish I'd thought of doing this!'
A real must for anyone interested in the creative writing process and just about the most interesting book I've read in ages
A real must for anyone interested in the creative writing process and just about the most interesting book I've read in ages
15 of 18 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
Graham Rawle, best known for his hilarious Lost Consonants series in the Guardian has created a Woman’s World from words, sentences and phrases snipped from the pages of 1960s women’s magazines. At five years in the making, this is a remarkable feat in itself, but this book goes far beyond mere novelty. Rawle brilliantly collages the found material into a unique book that is both a stunning work of art and a funny, deeply moving story.
Norma Fontaine, the heroine of the story aspires to the feminine ideal as prescribed in the magazines from which the pieces of text are cut. It is through her fragmented voice that the story is told. By skilfully piecing together the various scraps of text, Rawle creates a delightfully daft world where nylon skirts ‘cling to the legs like a rock climber in a gale’ and lips are ‘as red and as welcoming as a carpet rolled out for a royal command performance.’
Great design, great writing. This is a truly wonderful book that works on every level.
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
I first read 'Woman's World' when it was published in paperback. After thoroughly enjoying Rawle's excellent new novel, The Card, I decided it was time to for a reread; I even persuaded my Book group to join me. Rereading the book reinforced the feeling that whilst `The Card' is a great novel, `Woman's World' is nothing less than a work of genius.
Five years in the making, `Woman's World' is constructed entirely from Women's magazine's dating from the 50s and 60s. This unusual medium gives Rawle's text a richness that goes beyond mere narrative, character and plot. Additional texture is added through the phrases chosen and the way in which they have been pieced together.
The story is a subtle one, leant extra nuance through Rawle's choice of media. The tale is told in the direct, easy to read style favoured by Women's magazines. An entire novel written directly in this breezy style would be a very peculiar read, but in collage form it works very well. Rawle has subverted the original form of his words to create something new. As much as anything else this is a book about the use and versatility of language.
There is also a great physical element to the book. Use of different fonts, point size and even how words have been pasted together, give little hints or expansions of the wider story. Rawle has also clipped in pictures from the magazines, that give the words greater meaning. It was only after a second read and a lively book-group discussion, that the true depth of the book became apparent.
It's difficult to talk too much about the plot of Woman's World, it will spoil the novel's central mystery.... Read more ›
Five years in the making, `Woman's World' is constructed entirely from Women's magazine's dating from the 50s and 60s. This unusual medium gives Rawle's text a richness that goes beyond mere narrative, character and plot. Additional texture is added through the phrases chosen and the way in which they have been pieced together.
The story is a subtle one, leant extra nuance through Rawle's choice of media. The tale is told in the direct, easy to read style favoured by Women's magazines. An entire novel written directly in this breezy style would be a very peculiar read, but in collage form it works very well. Rawle has subverted the original form of his words to create something new. As much as anything else this is a book about the use and versatility of language.
There is also a great physical element to the book. Use of different fonts, point size and even how words have been pasted together, give little hints or expansions of the wider story. Rawle has also clipped in pictures from the magazines, that give the words greater meaning. It was only after a second read and a lively book-group discussion, that the true depth of the book became apparent.
It's difficult to talk too much about the plot of Woman's World, it will spoil the novel's central mystery.... Read more ›
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3.9 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Unusual
Completely unique book to read and quite dark at times. You soon get into the flow and the language. If you like stuff that is off the wall this will suit.
Published 4 months ago by jan mackey
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ingenious Graham
He said he worked up to 16 hours a day on this & I can well believe it. The organising of material required real stamina & a very orderly mind. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Mr. David M. Beanland
4.0 out of 5 stars
WOMAN'S WORLD
I went to a Symposium, in which Graham Rawle was one of the speakers. He was very entertaining, a bit of an eccentric, and rather delightful. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Mrs. J. Wirtz
3.0 out of 5 stars
Let down by the ending
A brilliantly quirky book - the unconventional style doesn't hinder it in any way and I found I slipped into reading it easily very quickly. Read more
Published on 4 Jan 2011 by Shouna Falconer
3.0 out of 5 stars
A little distracting...
I loved the idea of this book, and the fact that Graham Rawle painstakingly constructed it from magazines and newspapers over a period of five years was bizarrely compulsive. Read more
Published on 11 Feb 2009 by Paperback writer
3.0 out of 5 stars
Quirky and fun!
I was intrigued by the idea of this novel - it took the author 5 years to put together using clippings from newspapers and magazines of the 1960's and it really works, not just... Read more
Published on 12 Oct 2006 by Cazza
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