Chosen as one of the ‘best new book releases’ by COSMOPOLITAN

A ‘best summer read’ by ELLE MAGAZINE

When you look at a woman, who do you see?

“Every aspect of her body or personality was up for inspection: too big, too small, too available, too hidden, too much, not enough.”

A wedding day brings back memories of sisterhood and betrayals; a motorway service station is the site of explosive violence, but also strange bonds; a trip home forces a reminder of a life-changing, lost friendship; a woman confronts her own infidelity; an artist celebrates a life spent in observation.

This debut collection movingly explores how women and girls are looked at, look at one another, and look at themselves, and how living as an object can shape their passions, fears, and joys. With a clear eye and dark humour, Danielle Pender considers sex, parenting, grief and class as lenses for the ways in which the world watches women — and how women are always watching back.

In Watching Women & Girls, Danielle Pender masterfully weaves together a collection of short stories that delve into the complexities of marriage, divorce, and family dynamics. The book, a top pick in fiction, offers a unique perspective on romance, showcasing the author's ability to capture the essence of human relationships.

For fans of Mieko Kawakami (All The Lovers In The Night), Sam Bett (Hit Parade of Tears), Mona Awad (All's Well), Ottessa Moshfegh (Lapvona), and Laurie Petrou (Sister of Mine).

HarperCollins 2022