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llassu01's review against another edition
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
peaknit's review against another edition
3.0
I need to preface this review by admitting that I was a criminology major in college and ingested every bit of information that I could about the Manson family. Knowing as much about that as I do about that probably soured the story for me. This felt like a fictionalized version of the exact tale of the Manson family right down to the ranch and a sadistic murder on the fancy side of town. I still found the listen entertaining. I did struggle at times with the flowery descriptors that the author used. I generally enjoy rich description and love words but It almost seem to me like she went back and added more flowery five dollar words that she needed to. At one point she described llamas as sultry and heavy lidded like a street siren. It felt a bit much. That said, if you don't know much about the Manson story I do think that this is interesting and a really frightening look into what cult life may have been like specifically in this era of the 60s. Charles Manson was truly in a league of his own when it came to captivating young people. I would recommend Helter Skelter for a true look inside that world.
bekahklemke's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I can see why people would enjoy this book. It had a really interesting premise and the author did a good job at invoking the feelings of being a teenage girl.
I found the writing style to be tedious, though. So all in all, this book wasn't my cup of tea.
I found the writing style to be tedious, though. So all in all, this book wasn't my cup of tea.
shelt's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
more sad than shocking by the end, I was a bit disappointed by that but I loved cline’s descriptive writing style
pgmellinger's review against another edition
3.0
Started off so interesting and then it just fizzled out. Disappointing ending!
lillians_library's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
marbykai814's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
percybabercy's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I have to admit that I nearly DNF'd this book because I just did not connect with it despite my excitement while reading it. I felt pretty burned by the hype surrounding this book! If you enjoyed My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh then you might like this one. It just wasn't for me and I love reading about cults!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault