Girls

John Bowen (1924–2019) was born in what was then Calcutta, India, before being sent to England at the age of four to be reared by an uncle and aunt. He worked in journalism and advertising while publishing his first novels, including the apocalyptic After the Rain, then began a successful career writing for the stage and for television, including the much-lauded folk-horror “Play for Today” Robin Redbreast (1970).

“Absolutely wicked.” —Armistead Maupin“Of all the writers of suspense novels, John Bowen is the most startlingly offbeat: politely he leads you down the garden path—look at the roses, he murmurs, the dismembered foot, the Victorian teahouse which contains . . . satisfying horror!” —Gore Vidal“The trappings of this sly little novel are like the crumbs leading Hansel and Gretel to gingerbread danger. To begin with, there's the intentionally coy title . . . Next comes the Edward Gorey jacket illustration . . . a clear signal, of course, that genteel, if peculiar, mayhem is in store . . . [For] people who like Myra Breckinridge as well as Miss Marple; fans of Beryl Bainbridge, Russell Greenan and Patricia Highsmith; those who feel Barbara Pym-ish on some days and Stephen King-ish on others . . . The novel charms us as only certain tales ‘of village life’ can.”—Michele Slung, The Washington Post“The reissued paperback of this cozy, pitch-black comedy sports the same Edward Gorey illustration that decorated the original hardcover when it was published in 1986. It’s perfect: deadpan, sly, and threatening, just like this very funny, very weird novel . . . I’m sure I’m not the only reader who thought of this book as his own secret, to be recommended only to the most unusual of friends, but now it’s back in the world and will hopefully garner the cult audience it deserves.”—Dan Kois, Slate, The 10 Best Literary Rediscoveries of 2023“An unqualified delight . . . Bowen rates superlatives for his alternately moving, frightening, hilarious novel and—above all—for the unsuspected, ultimate surprise.” —Publishers Weekly“This is a charming little novel about two women who share a home, a garden, and later, a baby. What happens when the accidental father returns? Fans of Patricia Highsmith and Edward Gorey (whose delightful designs adorn the cover) should like The Girls.”—San Francisco Bay Times

• Foreword1 The Septic Tank2 The Day the Pig Escaped3 The Seven-Year Itch4 The Inland Waterways Rally5 Breaking the News6 Rabbits7 Nothing Out of the Ordinary8 The Flower Show9 The Village Policeman10 Interlude11 Bullocks12 An Unfortunate Accident13 The Girls