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  • Published: 2 April 2012
  • ISBN: 9781742754888
  • Imprint: Ebury Australia
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $35.00

What Women Want

Conversations on Desire, Power, Love and Growth




A funny and moving book that Australian women of all generations will love.

With all the moxie of an RSL barmaid and the library card of a research fellow, Nelly Thomas has emerged to talk about nothing slighter than the trials of her generation... She's erudite, earthy and entirely unemployable.
Helen Razer - The Age (review Melb Comedy Festival)

Growing up in post-feminist Australia, Nelly Thomas, one of Australia’s
most gifted and natural comedians, was told she could ‘have it all’.
She’s giving it a crack – but she still isn’t quite sure what ‘it’ is.

What do women want?

In pursuit of answers, Thomas has tried being a telemarketer, a professional
student, a fast-food worker, a broadcaster, a smoker, a prostitute’s confidant,
a health advocate, a reality television obsessive, a mother, a partner (or is it
girlfriend? lover?), an award-winning comedian, a sex-educator, a Loony Lefty
Feminista and a self-confessed fatty boombah. Like many of her generation, she’s
had a lot of options, yet she’s wondering – which do you choose?

In this hilarious part-memoir, part-manifesto, Thomas navigates the murky
waters of her life and womanhood in the twenty-first century. She tackles the big
contemporary issues – career, equality, family, porn, sex, entertainment, obesity,
parenting, culture, class, Beyonce’s derriere – with customary insight and a
wickedly dry wit.

A must-read for the modern Aussie woman.

  • Published: 2 April 2012
  • ISBN: 9781742754888
  • Imprint: Ebury Australia
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 320
  • RRP: $35.00

About the author

Nelly Thomas

Nelly Thomas is an Australian comedian and author. Her award-winning career began in stand-up comedy in 2002 and has taken her all over the world. She now prefers the quiet life of author, speaker and radio personality. Nelly is a well-known regular on ABC Melbourne Radio, Radio National , News Breakfast and elsewhere. She was listed as one of Australias 'Most Innovative thinkers' in The Age Newspaper and was featured on the ABC's Big Ideas; The smartest stuff on TV, Radio and Online. Nelly is thee author of four books including three children's books Some Girls [2017], Some Boys [2018] and Some Brains; a book celebrating nuerodiversity [2019]. She also published What Women Want [Random House 2012] and is currently working on two more. Nelly lives in Melbourne with her partner Lachlan, their two daughters, a grumpy poodle and a very dense Labradoodle.

Praise for What Women Want

What Women Want is pleasantly surprising. It is funny, to be expected from a comedian-turned-writer, but it is also sage, well researched and deeply interesting. This is a great book for people living in contemporary Australia.

Jane Fynes-Clinton, Daily Telegraph

This is a superb piece of writing by a no-nonsense advocate for sensible attitude to sex, work, relationships, education, health and children. Thomas's particular skills are a distinctive, articulate voice and a message that is worth listening to. This is a rare example of a comedian writing a book about the subjects that inspire her without feeling the need to make every line a joke.

Bruce Elder, Bendigo Advertiser

Advocating a down-to-earth, sensible approach, she has a light humorous touch, but doesn't try to be funny all the time. If only every cultural discussion I read was this accessible and to this standard.

Northern Rivers Echo

Thomas' book is well researched and asks difficult questions. It challenges stereotypes and take the reader into sometimes uncomfortable territory - all achieved with liberal doses of humour.

Wendy Lavender, Kalgoorlie Miner