Live Alone and Like It: The Classic Guide for the Single Woman. Written in 1936 by a former Vogue editor. The book is short, funny, and still 100% true in its philosophy, if not in the details. A wonderful gift for the single girl!
June 25, 2008
Francesca recommends a book!
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Seriously: Not so sure if it’s really the perfect present for every single girl you know. While some might see the fun in reading a quaint book from 1936, many might be insulted. Especially women who don’t like being alone and might actually need this book.
Some “friends” of a girlfriend of mine got her a Ken-Doll for her birthday “So now you have a boyfriend to go out with!” – she was 27 and heartbroken.
Presents like this, while with the best intentions, can be really, really mean.
(I’d like a copy, though… )
Comment by Anastasia — June 25, 2008 @ 4:02 pm
Its original subtitle was The Guide for the Extra Woman!! Ha!
It’s officially on my Amazon wish list. :-)
Comment by VerseFameBeauty — June 25, 2008 @ 6:59 pm
Haa, I have a book a little like that for married women.
I really need to dig it out of a box and pass it onto one of my newly married friends. It instills the ideas that the woman must wake before the man, put on a full face of make up, style her hair and then wake her husband for a hearty breakfast while she finishes laying out his wardrobe.
Basically it’s Mrs Cleaver .. sew, iron, cook and clean until he comes home. Then sit him straight down in a chair, don’t bother him with the hassles of your day (eg fighting children) and bring him his favourite drink and pipe!
Oh of course you are reminded that you have a proper dress on by this time and have touched up your hair and makeup!
Comment by Deborah-lee — June 26, 2008 @ 6:28 am
I love books like this. They rarely give that much of a glimpse at how people really lived, but they share in great detail the myths of how they believed they should live, which is just as interesting.
Hmmm…must add to Amazon list.
Comment by Twistie — June 26, 2008 @ 10:40 am
Wow, I read this in college 20 years ago, because it was mentioned in passing by one of my favorite essayists, James Thurber. I had no idea it was still in print (my college library might have had one of the first-run copies). I found it totally charming, and while the title might seem condescendingly old-fashioned (in that it assumes the default of living alone is not to like it), the advice is pretty sound. Learn to cook, learn to be a gracious hostess, and enjoy being able to have company or solitude when you choose.
Another oldie but goodie – “Better Than Beauty: A Guide to Charm”, which is from 1938 but is also still in print.
Comment by Kimberly — July 5, 2008 @ 9:00 pm