I requested and received an eARC of We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown via NetGalley. I read the blurb for this book on NetGalley and I was really excited by the prospect of reading this. We Pretty Pieces of Flesh explores the adolescent years of three girls in Doncaster, a post-industrial town in Yorkshire, England. Rach, Kel, and Shaz have been best friends since childhood, adventuring and scheming together. Rach is reserved and serious, often jealous and frightened of Shaz’s boldness. Shaz comes from the rougher end of town and has garnered a reputation for her wild spirit and mouthiness. Kel often feels torn between the two and is the glue that holds the trio together.

It took a moment for me to adjust to the way this novel is written. The narrative is presented in alternating point of views, flickering back and forth in time, and told in the Yorkshire dialect that the girls speak. Once I had found my footing, however, I found that it had a really strong impact on my understanding of the book and my relationship with the characters. It provided a certain vibrancy that really made the characters feel real, while also establishing an intimacy with the reader. I found each of the protagonists to be quite compelling in their own way. Shaz shines brilliantly on the page and it’s hard to dislike her even when she makes poor choices. As the story expands and we discover more about her character and what she experiences as a teenager I became much more sympathetic. Rach initially struck me as judgmental, but Brown does an incredible job of exploring that adolescent insecurity that stokes such an attitude. I found Kel to be a bit more a mystery and I think that’s what excited me most about getting glimpses of her character. There’s a chapter near the end of the novel that takes a look at her adult life and I thought this was one of the best in the book.

There’s a rawness to the narrative that makes We Pretty Pieces of Flesh an especially interesting read. Brown’s writing style allows her to be very direct about the experiences of young women while exploring a range of issue such as economic insecurity, sexual assault, and body dysmophia, defined in their own voices. The author also manages to effectively balance the joy and the tension of adolescent friendships. The dynamic between Kels, Rach, and Shaz is well written and for me was really the heart of the book. I developed certain concerns for each character the more I read and was left with a heaviness after leaving them behind in each chapter (Shaz made me feel this way in particular.) Sometimes the the story felt a bit disjointed, but the different vignettes came into much a much clearer focus by the end of the book which was satisfying as a reader. Although I suspect those not familiar with the dialect used in the book may struggle a bit at first like I did, I think think the challenge is certainly worth the effort.

Thanks to Henry Holt and Co. and NetGalley for the chance to read and review 'We Pretty Pieces of Flesh' by Colwill Brown.

A very powerful story about three friends growing up in the late 1990s/early 2000s in Doncaster, Yorkshire in the north of England - we first engage with them as pre-teens and then we to-and-fro through their teenage and grown up selves. The use of the local accent/dialect throughout makes it feel very genuine and really roots it in a very strong sense of place but, in reality, this could be set in any declining urban centre because it's a story of how these young girls are desperate to be popular, thin, have a boyfriend and basically to conform to every perceived 'norm' that society throws at them. On top of that they, like young girls and women everywhere, are subjected to misogyny, sexual abuse, and rape and have to deal with their own and other peoples reactions to that.

Their stories and the passage of time are told in rotation by each of the main characters and it's through those overlapping versions of the same events just how much unnecessary pain they go through due to the lack of real communication between then and the constant competition they engage in. Sometime it can be a little challenging to figure out who's talking now when that switch happens but, for me, that just bolsters the idea that they're all going through the same things and they're all 'everygirl' and deal with the same crap that every girl (or most girls) to go through as they grow up.

There's tragedy here and heartbreak and very tough times but there's humour and excitement and a really good view at 'life in a northern town' at the turn of the 21st century.

Book Review
We Pretty Pieces of Flesh
By Colwill Brown
Pub Day: March 4, 2025
Thank you to @henryholtbooks and @netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Synopsis: An exuberant and ribald debut novel about three adolescent girls coming of age in a gritty post-industrial town in Yorkshire, England in the ‘90s who are as sweetly vulnerable and funny as they are cunning and tough.
My thoughts: I downloaded this book through Netgalley and had the option to read or listen. I did both, I have to say that the book was good and I would recommend to anyone who grew up during the 90’s or is just curious about that time, but the dialect written and listening to it could take some getting used to.
That being said there are so many trigger warnings, but these characters all go through their own issues whether it’s abusing drugs, unplanned pregnancy, relationships, family struggles. Not much is left to the imagination.
I graduated high school in 1991 and it was interesting to see another perspective of the 90’s and all of the good and bad.

We Pretty Pieces of Flesh is the debut novel of Colwill Brown that follows the coming of age of three young girls as they age into adulthood. It is written in the Yorkshire dialect of Doncaster which was initially tricky for me to find the rhythm but lends realism to the story as does the authors’s descriptions of the setting. This was a gritty read for me. Although realistic about the difficulties and challenges girls face as they move thru their teens years and strive for adulthood and independence I often just felt incredibly sad as I read this. My youngest child and only daughter is 25, so close to the age these characters reach at the novel’s end. I just kept thinking how sad I would be to think that her own coming of age was this brutal. I don’t believe that it was but she had a large support system. The pressure these girls put on themselves and each other to experiment with drugs, drinking, sex and partying felt so heavy to me. Not to mention the way they are treated by the boys and men they encounter. They don’t often seem to feel any sense of power to say “no” even tho they seem to want to. They also don’t seem to have any significant adults in their lives they felt they could turn to. Some of their situations were just heartbreaking and I couldn’t find many glimmers of hope. I believe this is the experience many girls growing up today will face and again I find that incredibly sad. Maybe tho that is what might make this an important story to read. To try and grasp what young people face, to want better for them and to determine what might be done to help them reach the next phase of their lives healthy and whole.

I just could not get into this novel because of the challenging dialect. It’s not the author’s fault, I just didn’t have the stamina. Perhaps later I will revisit it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for making it available.

For fans of Michael Magee's Close to Home, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh is a coming of age story, set in working class Yorkshire in the 90s. It takes a bit of time to get into the groove of the Yorkshire dialect but much like Close to Home, it drew me in closer to the story, really putting me in the mix.

Honest and at times heartbreaking, Brown paints a picture of girlhood amidst the changing and increasingly difficult world of living in a postindustrial economy. With hints of Shuggie Bain and Trainspotting, Brown puts the reader right into the story, carrying you through the years with your cast of characters.

Not for the faint of heart but worth the read for those willing to take the time to get into the story and attach to the characters, We Pretty Pieces of Flesh will stay with me for a long, long time.

We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown is an intense and visceral collection that dives deep into themes of body, desire, and self-destruction. As a reader, I was captivated by Brown's raw, lyrical prose and the haunting, almost dreamlike quality of the stories. The book leaves a lasting impression, challenging conventional ideas of beauty and identity in deeply unsettling yet powerful ways.

overall i enjoyed it, it just took me sooo long to get into because of the unfamiliar dialect. i had to concentrate on figuring out what every other sentence meant and that took away from the actual story for me. i both liked and disliked the structure/writing style here - it was less of a flowing storyline and more like random recounts of events and situations from different points in all three girls’ lives, all in first person and switching pov’s constantly, which made it a bit confusing to remember who i was reading about at any given time. some chapters felt a little too random and i was waiting for them to tie into future chapters somehow, but that wasn’t really the point of the book, so a lot was just left hanging there. i did appreciate the rawness of the subjects covered, though - this book definitely doesn’t shy away from the lows of adolescence and deals with some really heavy topics.

thanks NetGalley for this ARC!

When I finished this book I felt like I’d run some kind of emotional marathon. I loved that it was written in a true Yorkshire accent, it was like in elementary school when a teacher would show you that you could read sentences even when most of the letters were in the wrong place. It really added to the ambiance of the book.

We Pretty Pieces of Flesh is not for the faint of heart. There were so many different flavors and textures of sadness in this book. You Cannot Thread a Moving Needle is one of the most heartbreaking pieces of writing I’ve encountered in a while. Brown perfectly articulated the politics of being a high school girl. The secret competitions and mind games that go on in groups of girls who claim to be friends. It’s funny the way we all go through girlhood differently but it’s somehow the same. At the time life felt so normal until you look back on it now and realize how hard it truly was. How alone and sad you felt the whole time.

My only critique for this book is that the chapters were too long. I can’t think of another way for it to be since each is it’s own vignette but still wow very very long.

"We Pretty Pieces of Flesh" by Colwill Brown is an absolutely stunning debut. At first, the Yorkshire dialect was a bit daunting, but if you stick with it, it grows on you, and it wasn't long before I was hooked. The authenticity and vividness of Doncaster come alive on every page, making me feel like I was right there in the schoolyards, nightclubs, and alleyways with Rach, Kel, and Shaz. Colwill Brown masterfully balances the gritty realities of growing up in a post-industrial town with moments of tender vulnerability and fierce loyalty. The prose is sharp, poetic, and absolutely captivating. Brown has a unique voice that sets this novel apart from anything else I've read in recent years. If you’re up for a challenging yet deeply rewarding read, this is a must-add to your TBR list. Highly recommended for anyone who loves character-driven stories filled with heart, humor, and plenty of grit!

Rach, Shaz, and Kel, are bezzies! They are "Donny lasses" (girls from Doncaster), and together they take on all of the adolescent issues that young women face only in Ireland and in a bit of a tougher, bolder way. We Pretty Pieces of Flesh is written in a phonetic Yorkshire dialect, but once you acclimate, you wouldn't want it any other way. The book spans their young live from reckless innocence to young adult. Pick up this unique and utterly unforgettable story of strong heroines by a fresh new voice!
#henryholtcompany #weprettypiecesofflesh #colwillbrown

I appreciate how well the dialect was written—I get frustrated with books that don't actually write the accent out when there is one. I didn't connect well with the characters, so I didn't fall in love. However, I know many litfic lovers out there will adore this!

Three young people push you into their lives with unabashed freedom. Three girls recount their coming of age in a small town in Yorkshire. Recounting how they viewed their lives through changes and heartbreak, and living life without compromise. Living in London now two of the girls meet and reflect on a youth at once carefree and innocent. An innocence that only one can decide to tarnish with a truth kept secret.

I struggled to read this book due to the writing style, which forced me to reread each sentence multiple times to understand it. I'm considering trying the audiobook instead, as reading the physical book wasn't working for me.

I wish I loved this. I personally could not stand the informal writing style. I have read many books written by English authors and I enjoy the culture and slang, but this particular writing made me feel dizzy. I think I would enjoy it in moderation such as exclusively in dialogue or direct quotes. To be fair I am sure I would love the story, but simply could not get through more than about 20 pages.

We Pretty Pieces of Flesh by Colwill Brown

Three young friends who have grown up together are in the throws of their adolescent teenage years are a bit bold and reckless yet their innocence shines through.

I wish I would have enjoyed this book a little more but it just didn’t grab me. Maybe it was the Yorkshire dialect, I felt like I was having to concentrate too hard on understanding what was being said.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I had a bit of trouble getting into this one as the dialect isn't one I'm familiar with so it took some getting used to. It revolves around three teens, Rach, Kel, and Shaz who are typical rebellious girls, determined to get the most out of life. Armed with Ecstasy, they frequent nightclubs that will let them in, almost get kicked off a train, and just generally look for trouble and excitement. And of course they keep secrets from anyone who tries to curb their rebellious behavior. So if you want to look back at your teen years and live vicariously through others, this is the book for you!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

I love messy girlhood stories and this one had me on the edge of my seat! The writing was so good and it kept my attention through out the whole way. The lit fic girls will love this.