“As if a queer, feminist, 80s coming-of-age novel weren’t enough, Jobs for Girls With Artistic Flair also introduces us to a host of interesting characters in all the shades of gray, a gathering storm of family drama, and a burgeoning tattoo scene I knew nothing about and was delighted to be (pun intended) drawn into.”
—Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author of This Is How It Always Is
℘
“A colorful coming-of-age story brimming with gorgeous prose and vibrant misfits, and a fascinating glimpse into the world of tattooing in the 1980s. This novel is for anyone who’s ever searched for their place in the world or fought for their dreams—in other words, everyone.” —Margarita Montimore, USA Today bestselling author of Oona Out of Order
℘
“Bizarre and charming, June Gervais’ debut is beautifully crafted, a coming-of-age story that celebrates the messiness of finding yourself, the pleasure of marching offbeat, the beauty of unknown paths. Gina Mulley is a winning narrator who I both wanted to hug and be tattooed by.”
—Jean Kyoung Frazier, author of Pizza Girl
℘
“Gervais’ debut is an utterly original, wonderfully charming story that dives deep into the fringe world of 80s Long Island. I couldn’t stop reading!”
—Jessica Anya Blau, author of Mary Jane
℘
“Gina Mulley is irresistible: clever, stubborn, loving, slightly out of control. I couldn’t stop reading because I had to find out what happened, but I didn’t want this smart, engaging novel to end.”
—Alice Mattison, author of Conscience
℘
“This coming-of-age debut is for all the readers who once felt a little quirky, who longed to find their place in the world and the courage to go after it. In Gina, a soulful, aspiring tattoo artist, June Gervais has given readers a love letter to the 80s, to growing up blue collar by the sea, to self-discovery and becoming an adult, and to falling in love for the first time. Beautiful, vulnerable, and moving. Not to be missed.”
—Donna Freitas, author of The Nine Lives of Rose Napolitano
℘
“Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair winds through the fascinating subculture of the tattooers and the tattooed. A feisty novel about getting through—and then getting on.”
—Sven Birkerts, author of Changing the Subject: Art and Attention in the Internet Age
“From the start, the novel is immersive and wholly alive. Gervais painstakingly renders the fine-grained particularities of the 1980s body-art scene and locates its deeper emotional core. . . Gina is a touchingly complex, flawed character; her journey from childhood misfit to adult is gratifying to behold. . . Gervais’ characters are original and a pleasure to read; their narrative energy will easily carry readers through to the final page. An enjoyable romp brought to life by its lovable, off-kilter protagonist.”
“Charming. . . . The complex characters. . . will keep readers turning the pages.”
“Gervais’ debut is a thoughtful and tender coming-of-age story.”
“Gervais portrays an unapologetic young woman who shirks away all the social norms of her time and lives according to her own set of rules. Jobs for Girls with Artistic Flair is a revealing portrait of finding your way professionally and personally into adulthood.”
“The author has crafted a sense of place so precise, you’ll all but hear the tinkling of the bell over the tattoo shop’s door as the novel welcomes you in.” —Washington Independent Review of Books
“The book’s pacing and tension-building are excellent… and kept the story feeling fresh and dynamic, and the characters kept me invested. Basically, read this book. If you’re into stories of young women fighting for their place in the world, you’ll like it. If you want bisexual representation, here you go. If you’re interested in art and/or tattoos, you’ll love it. If you’re anything like me, you’ll feel seen.”
—The Common (read the full review here)
“I adored this novel. It’s a story about being an awkward, misfit girl with big dreams in a man’s world. It made me laugh out loud, and it made me really, really want a tattoo.”
One Reply to “Praise for JOBS FOR GIRLS”