Scan barcode
lvrbrielle's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
cpmarkham's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
gregz_newdorkreviewofbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Fine. Don't think I dug her writing as much as everyone else. Odd story, but intriguing.
lu_ra_to's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shit_she_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I brought “The Girls” with me on summer vacation and I’m really glad I did because it truly captures those hot and sticky summer days where you feel suffocated but also somehow intoxicated by the heat.
I really enjoyed reading “The Girls”! I got caught up in the story fairly quickly and loved following this cult and finding out what crime they’ve committed and why. However, I couldn’t really connect to the protagonist, Evie. I disliked how she only exists in the margins: she’s not really part of the cult, or the girls, she’s barely with her family, and really only lives for what everybody else does. From what we learn, nothing’s really been happening in her life after 1969. Throughout the novel I couldn’t help but feel that it would’ve been more exciting had the narration alternated between Evie and one of the girls or had the narrator been omniscient. I would’ve loved getting to know a bit more about e.g. Suzanne’s backstory and feel like that’s a missed opportunity. I also don’t know if there’s a reason behind not acknowledging Evie’s obvious queerness. Like I said, Emma Cline could’ve done much much better with this promising story and these amazing characters.
Overall I’m just a bit torn: I truly enjoyed the book, loved the language, and I think it could’ve been a favorite if it wasn’t for Evie’s lack of personality.
I really enjoyed reading “The Girls”! I got caught up in the story fairly quickly and loved following this cult and finding out what crime they’ve committed and why. However, I couldn’t really connect to the protagonist, Evie. I disliked how she only exists in the margins: she’s not really part of the cult, or the girls, she’s barely with her family, and really only lives for what everybody else does. From what we learn, nothing’s really been happening in her life after 1969. Throughout the novel I couldn’t help but feel that it would’ve been more exciting had the narration alternated between Evie and one of the girls or had the narrator been omniscient. I would’ve loved getting to know a bit more about e.g. Suzanne’s backstory and feel like that’s a missed opportunity. I also don’t know if there’s a reason behind not acknowledging Evie’s obvious queerness. Like I said, Emma Cline could’ve done much much better with this promising story and these amazing characters.
Overall I’m just a bit torn: I truly enjoyed the book, loved the language, and I think it could’ve been a favorite if it wasn’t for Evie’s lack of personality.
chavag's review against another edition
1.0
I do not get the popularity of this book. I do not understand why it got a New Yorker review.
Interestingly, the New Yorker and the top reviewer on GoodReads who couldn't finish it quoted the *same* sentence to demonstrate its literary merit on the one hand, and its literary glug on the other.
The nothing jump of soda in my throat.
I will say that this book taught me two things: not to use lists as an alternative for scene-setting, and not to start a sentence and then limp off into adverb/present participle/listicle land.
I felt so strongly about the writing that I started to write a piece of prose in what I took (in my presumption) to be the exact opposite of Cline's style. No adverbs, no "ings," no hung clauses, and no lists of random objects with pretty adjectives to set the mood. (Okay, I'm finished now.)
Nicole walked up the metal steps. She wore a loose black t-shirt dress and her butt cheeks wiggled beneath the fabric when she moved. Rick could see the wiggle from where he stood smoking and Nicole knew it. He would report back to the other guys on the sales team. She knew that too.
Interestingly, the New Yorker and the top reviewer on GoodReads who couldn't finish it quoted the *same* sentence to demonstrate its literary merit on the one hand, and its literary glug on the other.
The nothing jump of soda in my throat.
I will say that this book taught me two things: not to use lists as an alternative for scene-setting, and not to start a sentence and then limp off into adverb/present participle/listicle land.
I felt so strongly about the writing that I started to write a piece of prose in what I took (in my presumption) to be the exact opposite of Cline's style. No adverbs, no "ings," no hung clauses, and no lists of random objects with pretty adjectives to set the mood. (Okay, I'm finished now.)
Nicole walked up the metal steps. She wore a loose black t-shirt dress and her butt cheeks wiggled beneath the fabric when she moved. Rick could see the wiggle from where he stood smoking and Nicole knew it. He would report back to the other guys on the sales team. She knew that too.
howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
1.0
I thought this book was going to be really good because I’m interested in cults, but it seemed to be little more than a slow-moving fictionalization of the Manson murders.
ekafritsas's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. This was SO overwritten. And yet, despite basically being a book of adjectives and adverbs, I feel like very little detail was given to things things that actually mattered, things that would have given depth to the book, that would have made it more enjoyable.
lori_krysten's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0