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Slug

The Sunday Times Bestseller

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Slug

By: Hollie McNish
Narrated by: Gemma Cairney, Hollie McNish
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£5.99/mo after 3 months. Offer ends on 5 July 2026 at 11:59 BST. Cancel monthly.

Buy Now for £14.35

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Listen to the audiobook for an exclusive interview with Hollie and her good friend, radio presenter Gemma Cairney
Hollie has also included a special poetry reading in memory of her grandmother, and an exclusive preview of poems from her next book

'One of the best poets we have' MATT HAIG

'She writes with honesty, conviction, humour and love' KAE TEMPEST

'Hollie always articulates exactly how I feel' CHARLY COX

The new collection of poetry and prose from the Ted Hughes Award-winning author of Nobody Told Me

From Finnish saunas and soppy otters to grief, grandparents and Kellogg's anti-masturbation pants, Slug is a book which holds a mirror lovingly up to the world, past and present, through Hollie's driving, funny, hopeful poetry and prose. Slug is about the human condition: of birth and death and how we manage the possibilities in between.

'The inimitable words of poet/goddess Hollie McNish once again hold up honest, damn funny and refreshing takes on the everydayness of our lives . . . Never have we needed her more' STYLIST ©2021 Hollie McNish Abuse Death, Grief & Loss Poetry Relationships Sexual Abuse & Harassment Themes & Styles Thought-Provoking Funny
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Critic reviews

Piercing poetry . . . This is exactly what we all need. The inimitable words of poet/goddess Hollie McNish once again holds up honest, damn funny and refreshing takes on the everydayness of our lives: the social demands, sex and orgasms, our bodies, judgement from friends (and ourselves). Never have we needed her more (Francesca Brown)
An intoxicating mixture of poetry and prose, [Slug] is a taboo-busting delight . . . McNish's poems are direct, comic, tragic, warm, thought-provoking and often come with a sting in the tale, but her prose also flows off the page like red wine freely swilled with friends on a night out, or in . . . McNish effortlessly navigates the bitter and sweet throughout . . . There is an articulate approachability to all her writing . . . She is clear-sighted on why we need to talk about menstruation, masturbation and all sorts of gender and race inequalities, normalising these normal topics . . . McNish is eminently readable and relatable because she is both fallible and fascinating (Fiona Shepherd)
I love Hollie's poems. There is such raw honesty and warmth and often humour within them. She is one of the best poets we have (Matt Haig)
McNish has a striking capacity for intimacy in places least expected. There are no tricks in her work, except like all the best magicians and wordsmiths, I can see what she's doing but not how she did it. The poetry world needs a Tracey Emin like the art world did. It's Hollie McNish (Lemn Sissay)
No one blends honesty, humour and humanity quite like poet and author Hollie McNish . . . Mixing prose and poetry, it's an insight into McNish's mind, spanning topics from motherhood to masturbation. We love this reminder to stuff our lives full of joy while we can; a tribute to life itself
Funny, true, loving and lethal, Hollie McNish's new collection Slug is a total joy
As I read every few pages of Hollie McNish's delightful new book, I was smiling, teeth out . . . . Slug is a sparkling mix of memoir, poetry, essays and short stories . . . Reading her feels like the relief you get when somebody else hears your most private worries and says: me too. She backs it all up with science, intimate confessions and wicked one-liners (Helen Brown)
I've loved her work for years (Jo Brand)
A new collection from the exciting and divisive Ted Hughes Award winning poet and author of Nobody Told Me. This time she's tackling birth, death and female body parts with her characteristic confrontational gaze (Claire Allfree)
For everyday pick-me-ups, rages, frustrations, joy and belly laughs, Hollie McNish's books of poetry and essays are best kept on your bedside table to break open as required . . . Laugh-out-loud funny - keep it close
All stars
Most relevant
I have recommended this to everyone I know. its truly wonderful. hollies way with words and outlook is something to be cherished!

absolutely wonderful

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It's like Hollie is in my head and saying all the things I've thought but not said! This book is totally relatable for women and recommended listening for men - thought provoking, poignant and written with ease and a gentle conversational style that makes it feel like you're having a chat with your best mate. One minute you're howling with laughter, then a tear wells up in your eye, then your thinking, why have I never thought of that before....or I only thought it was me who that happened to! Thanks Hollie for an amazingly frank and brilliant book xcx

Bloody Brilliantly Relatable!

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I havent read poetry or prose for a long time. there is no pretention here. a lot of honesty. it felt like home.

Just perfectly done.

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I'm so lucky to have heard Hollie's voice read Hollie's words. Highly Recommend. Love!

Hollie Reads This So Perfectly, It's Beautiful

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Makes you laugh, makes you cry, makes you feel seen, this book was wonderful company on my various walks, commutes and gardening sessions! This woman is amazing and I’m looking forward to reading or listening to more of her books soon

Completely brilliant

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