Hollie McNish's latest audiobook collection, Virgin, emerges as a powerful and myth-shattering exploration of purity, sex, and the female body. The poet and spoken word artist dedicates her work to anyone who has faced blame, shame, or pressure over societal concepts surrounding their own physicality.
A Direct Challenge to Outdated Notions
McNish confronts persistent and often bizarre notions of innocence that continue to surround young women in contemporary society. Through her poetry, she directly addresses these outdated ideals, stating with clarity: "Do not tell me which touches have mattered the most / This is your obsession not mine."
Reclaiming Narrative Power
In her poem Send Nudes, McNish tackles the complex dynamics of intimacy and trust in the digital age. She powerfully argues that any shame associated with sharing intimate images should rest with those who betray trust by mocking or distributing such content, rather than with the individuals who originally shared them.
Masterful Performance and Delivery
As both author and narrator, McNish brings her entire self to the audiobook performance. Her delivery is expertly paced, moving between moments of withering critique and profound tenderness with remarkable skill. The listening experience feels intimate, as though McNish is personally present in the room, sharing her work directly with each listener.
Confronting Double Standards
McNish takes direct aim at the persistent double standards surrounding sexual experience. She highlights the absurd contrast between how society celebrates men with multiple partners as skilled "Lotharios" while simultaneously labeling women with similar experiences with derogatory terms.
Historical Context and Modern Relevance
With a tone of genuine incredulity, McNish examines the expectation in certain communities that women must remain virgins until marriage. She traces this concept back to historical contexts where women were legally considered property, passed from fathers to husbands. Her analysis reveals how these outdated notions continue to influence contemporary attitudes toward female sexuality.
The Broader Cultural Conversation
Virgin represents more than just a collection of poems; it serves as a vital contribution to ongoing conversations about bodily autonomy, consent, and the dismantling of harmful stereotypes. McNish's work encourages listeners to question long-held assumptions and reconsider how society judges and categorizes women based on their sexual experiences.
Throughout the audiobook, McNish maintains a perfect balance between humour and seriousness, creating a listening experience that is both thought-provoking and emotionally resonant. Her performance demonstrates why she remains one of Britain's most important contemporary poetic voices, particularly in discussions surrounding gender, sexuality, and personal freedom.
