Feel free to ask me anything at all—I’m truly unoffendable!” Emma Jane Unsworth has inadvertently said what every interviewer dreams of hearing. However, this openness shouldn’t come as a shock. It aligns perfectly with her reputation as an author who fearlessly tackles the complexities of millennial and Generation X women in recent years through her provocative and unconventional works. Just take one look at her writings.
Animals
, her raw, culturally-relevant 2014 novel about two friends “destroying themselves” through relentless debauchery, serves to illustrate that this author is not hesitant to tackle provocative themes head-on. Referred to as “
Withnail
as penned by the admirer Caitlin Moran, “for girls”
The book was later turned into a feature film.
featuring Holliday Grainger and Alia Shawkat.
Unsworth’s follow-up, 2020’s
Adults
, navigates the complex landscape of miscarriage, mental health, and social media addiction; her most recent book, with its provocative title,
Slags
is also an unrelenting exploration of initial romance, imagination, and sexual orientation.
It must have an element of fear, don’t you think?” Unsworth comments about her work. “Frequently, I find myself wincing as I write, and often I’m petrified—like, ‘should I include this? Really?’
This authenticity comes across as genuine on the page; Unsworth excels at portraying complex characters who seem intensely vivid.
Slags
Is no exception, narrated through the eyes of 41-year-old Sarah when she sets off on a birthday journey to Scotland with her younger sister, Juliette. This leads them into an awkward but emotionally charged reflection on their past memories.
Although Unsworth’s female characters frequently grapple with internal strife and gloom, they possess sharp intellects and a humor that can elicit hearty laughter—unlike many fragile heroines seen in contemporary literature.
“sad girl” literary trope
We ought to be permitted to encompass all these multifaceted individuals—capable of being highly amusing yet genuinely distressed, bewildered, and chaotic,” she states. “To my mind, this blend drives the narrative forward and infuses it with delight through those incisive exchanges.” She further notes that one can portray characters committing rather heinous acts as long as they remain enjoyable company. “When you achieve that, your audience will follow willingly and take pleasure in it.
When I encounter Unsworth at a London café ahead of the book release date, she exudes vitality. Dressed in wide-legged, white pinstripe pants paired with a coordinating vest jacket, she cuts an image of effortless chic that could seem daunting if not for her immediate, welcoming demeanor. Her fair complexion contrasts beautifully with her strawberry-blonde curls, which are neatly arranged away from her face, revealing sharp dark-blue eyes that sparkle as brightly as she speaks rapidly in her gentle Manchester accent. “I was quite anxious a few weeks back,” she confesses about the pre-publication jitters.
Slags
‘ upcoming release is set to drop soon. “For now, I’m at peace. It’s with the fates of literature.”
The narrative of this book jumps backwards and forwards in time, shifting perspectives between Sarah during her adulthood and her teenage years. Is it possible to completely escape the persona assigned to us during our developmental stages? “I believe that throughout our lives, we repeatedly reach maturity,” Unsworth responds contemplatively. “At these junctures, we often perceive ourselves as being clearly defined. During youth, such definitions tend to be heavily influenced by others, largely based on how they characterize who we are.”
In her younger years, she described herself as “gobby,” being noisy and craving attention—but also noted that she lacked substance. The author mentions that one of the motivations behind writing the book was to help build resilience in her inner teenager. Similarly, 15-year-old Sarah embodies this description; despite radiating strength and assurance due to all those fluctuating hormones, she remains fragile and innocent under her bold exterior. According to Unsworth, this combination constitutes a challenge that teenagers often face.
impacts
teenage girls
Regardless of the era they’re born into: “There’s so much longing and a fierce drive to articulate your identity and share yourself with others. Yet simultaneously, you remain quite susceptible.” What approaches should be taken to both bolster and safeguard adolescent females? “It seems that this is something we must address, yet I am uncertain about the solution. In many ways, the book delves into this very quandary.”
She suggests that female fantasy might serve as an important avenue, providing young women with a sense of control and independence in a society that frequently deprives them of these elements. For the youthful Sarah, this realm of romantic daydreams becomes so compelling that it appears to reshape reality itself according to the story she envisions in her mind. “We’re often made to feel guilty about our fantasies, particularly women,” reflects Unsworth. “They seem like something shameful—frivolous and crude. Yet, in truth, fantasies can be incredibly enriching, invaluable, and empowering. They have certainly acted as a source of healing for me throughout my life.”
Ever since her teenage years, Unsworth has undergone a “significant reassessment of my identity and desires” roughly every ten years. A substantial part of how she previously defined herself was tied to seeing herself through a particular lens.
eternal “party girl”
, exemplified by the boorish, live-for-today duo in
Animals
(“I will always press the damn-it button. I enjoy pressing the damn-it button,” she quips). Her work often delves into the connection between female protagonists and their consumption of alcohol and drugs; there’s an intriguing focus on the occasionally blurry line distinguishing an addict from a pleasure-seeker.
For Unsworth, she firmly identifies with the latter perspective. To her, there has always been an intrinsic romance associated with the concept of being intoxicated; it embodies “liberation, a turning point.” She explains, “While addiction is indeed a trap, a sickness, and a devastating force capable of destroying entire families and lives,” she reflects, “my connection to substances such as drugs and alcohol has consistently revolved around escaping reality. These things signify a chaotic state where one feels free to act without restraint. It’s akin to entering another realm where societal expectations cease to matter…”
I am expressing my thoughts from the perspective of someone who continually wonders if having children was the correct choice for them.
However, certain social norms prove extremely difficult to avoid. Incorporating it into her nightly routine is not feasible for Unsworth considering her present life as a mother to two small kids and as a daughter to aging parents. She has vehemently resisted this change but also feels compelled to accept it. “Raising children brings its unique form of happiness and duty—my children currently require substantial physical attention from me.”
Given that she became a mother later in her thirties, Unsworth finds herself both deeply appreciating and grappling with the maternal role. “Regret is an aspect that fascinates me,” she explains, adding, “I am someone who continually wonders if having children was indeed the best choice for myself personally, even as I remain profoundly thankful that they are part of my life.” She contends that when it comes to significant life choices, nothing quite compares to the weightiness of deciding about starting a family—especially so.
such
A tough one designed for women.
As someone who senses the overwhelming burden of that decision growing vastly heavier with each passing moment,
The nearer I approach 40, the more this realization resonates with me.
It’s a topic that’s skillfully handled here.
Slags
Sarah, a Generation X work enthusiast who chooses to be single, contrasts with her younger sibling who has embraced marriage and children. She often remarks that “it can be quite challenging to live up to the ideals of
being a childfree woman
Even when chosen voluntarily—and although Unsworth no longer walks that specific journey himself—the difficulties it presents continue to echo for her. “The manner in which pressure is exerted upon women to act in certain ways and conform to particular standards by a certain age is truly pernicious,” she remarks. “Society still promotes the idea that having a fulfilling life is contingent on being a mother, and that there exists just one correct approach.”
be
But she has consistently strived to offer an alternative perspective in her creations — ‘various joyful conclusions, distinct pathways that hold equal significance, worth, and satisfaction.’
What might be most captivating about
Slags
The core relationship between the two sisters is highlighted. It’s satisfying to observe in literature what has been skillfully portrayed on-screen recently in series like Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s.
Fleabag
and Aisling Bea’s
This Way Up
: An undeniably genuine portrayal of the sisterly bond in all its intricate depth. Sarah and Juliette reflect each other like no others, being the sole individuals fluent in their private dialect forged through years of common cultural touchstones and memories.
Inspired by the bond between Sarah and Juliette—who refer to their connection as a “heart alarm,” symbolized by an unbreakable golden thread linking their hearts—alongside reflections about my own sibling dynamic, I question out loud if brothers and sisters might ultimately become the truest loves in one another’s lives. “Absolutely,” responds Unsworth, who identifies as a proud older sister (she feels this role profoundly shapes all her relationships). “No one shares your childhood memories quite like family.” Describing her rapport with her younger sister—a mere three years her junior—as the most intricate she knows, she explains how after spending those formative years side-by-side, what remains is something incredibly profound yet challenging: “It’s extremely complex, resilient, emotionally taxing, scary at times, but also deeply enriching,” notes the writer.
In addition to “big sister,” Unsworth has recently added two new brands to their lineup.
ADHD
and
autism
The diagnosis from last year came as anticipated for one part, but the other took them by surprise. This new insight has led her to explore the relationship between neurodiversity and substance use. She reflects, “This realization has made me consider how extensively I’ve relied on substances such as alcohol—using it both as a way to cope during social gatherings and simply because I enjoy it.”
However, there has certainly been a generational change regarding getting completely drunk.
Slags
, Sarah is experimenting with abstinence but finds it excruciatingly dull; she laments “the dreary stillness of Saturday evenings when nobody ventured out anymore to walk the streets fueled by zeal or rage”, observing that
Generation Z favors coffee and chats.
To pubs and nightclubs. Although she isn’t criticizing the younger generation, Unsworth doesn’t entirely agree that the change from binge drinking to wellness culture is quite as “healthy” as it seems.
From time to time, you simply require that major boost for your mind.
“The notions of beauty and how women ought to appear… unfortunately, they’re
Not all of this freely available wellness and happiness benefits,
She states, “I believe there’s still significant pressure and many expectations.”
anxiety
a significant amount of harm is being inflicted upon individuals.
She thinks there’s merit in relinquishing control and embracing a lack of restraint from time to time, contending that an extravagant night out can help clear away the clutter and pressures of daily life. “It’s as though it purges all,” she muses nostalgically. “Once in a while, what you really need is that massive bonfire in your mind…”
A shift in cognition is just as likely to result from the dramatic fluctuation in temperature between the
beachside sauna
And an ice bath in her adopted hometown of Brighton instead of using mind-altering substances nowadays. However, this may change in the future. She envisions herself in her seventies, roaming through Soho, sipping drinks and dancing, living life to the fullest. I can easily imagine it: unruly silver curls; eyes sharp and sparkling; holding a cocktail in one hand and a generous glass of wine in the other. “There will always be a part of me that loves to party,” she remarks with a grin. “Right now, she’s taking a brief rest—but she’ll jump right back into the fray down the line.”
Slags is published by
HarperCollins
on 8 May
The Independent has consistently maintained a worldwide viewpoint. Rooted in strong foundations of exceptional international coverage and analysis, The Independent now boasts a readership that would have been unimaginable at its launch as a newcomer in the UK media landscape. In this era, for the first time since the conclusion of the Second World War, these core principles—pluralism, rationality, a forward-thinking humanitarian mission, and global engagement—are being challenged globally. Despite this, The Independent continues to expand its influence.
