Mel Juffe (1929–2005)

Edward Gorey pokes fun at advice columns and damsels in delighted distress.

A book of helpful advice for the young lady who has found herself in the indelicate position of losing her maidenhead, possibly to a perfect stranger, and maybe on a train or some other, very public location. With uncharacteristically light-hearted illustrations by Edward Gorey. Out of print - if you see a copy, snag it. It'll provide you with years of delighted re-reading.

A glorious spoof on those little books of manners as each page features advice on how to deal with an awkward situation following a recent "deflowerment" - I particularly liked the advice for a honeymooning wife - accompanied by one of Gorey's fabulous drawings.

Quick cute read, especially if you think about reading it back in 1965. I wasn't expecting *all* of the advice to be related to assorted forms of deflowerment, but that was a bonus.