panic_at_the_bookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The build up and the basics of the plot were amazing and made you want to reach the ending of the story. However the ending was rather disappointing. I feel like there are still plenty of loose ends.
Some scenes and characters felt rather empty. Sex was mentioned sooo many times. There are plenty of scenes where a minor is sexually involved with plenty of adults, often twice her age. Not sure if these scenes should have been this explicit.
Some scenes and characters felt rather empty. Sex was mentioned sooo many times. There are plenty of scenes where a minor is sexually involved with plenty of adults, often twice her age. Not sure if these scenes should have been this explicit.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Pedophilia, Blood, Death, Sexual content, Murder, Addiction, Body horror, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Drug use, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse
sadiereadsagain's review against another edition
4.0
This is the story of teenager Evie, who is drawn into a counter culture group when she becomes friends with Suzanne. Evie is drawn to Suzanne from the first moment she sees her, and it is this connection that pulls her deeper into the world of leader Russell and his violent vendetta against a music industry figure who let him down.
I went into this book without knowing anything about it, but I suspected pretty quickly into reading that the story is based on the Manson cult and murders. From reading other reviews I see that is the case. I'm probably one of the only people in the world that doesn't know a lot about Manson and his followers, so I can't vouch for how much is drawn from fact and how much is fiction. But I did find the premise of this book intriguing. I think cults are fascinating, and I'm also a sucker for stories about teenage girls trying to find themselves.
This story is told over two timelines - Evie in the 60's as it was happening, and Evie in what I assume is present day. I was far more interested in 60's Evie, a lonely girl left feeling cut adrift after her parents split up, and fighting with her best friend. Feeling disconnected and looking for something to take her outside of her life, she develops an infatuation with the older girl who seems to be everything Evie feels she is not. Through Suzanne, she makes her way into the group and their dilapidated ranch. Things quickly take her out of her depth, but something in Evie is propelled to keep sticking her hand in the flame, even when things don't feel right. Present day Evie is still tethered to her past in a way which has seen her potential wither away. She is house-sitting for a friend, when the friend's drug dealer son and his young girlfriend turn up unannounced. Evie is able to see in the girlfriend parallels of her younger self.
Given the violence of the act committed by the group against Russell's victim, as well as the sexual exploitation of underage girls, this book is quite...quiet. Evie is thoughtful to the point of passiveness, she is the instigator of very little of what happens to her. That's not to say she isn't observant or bubbling under with feelings, but even when she does act it is usually influenced by what is going on around her.
What I thought was interesting about this book was the way in which it is not Russell who has the cult-like influence on Evie, but another teenage girl. The cult and leader, even the violent act they carry out, is secondary to the relationship between the two girls and Evie's lack of a sense of self. It raised a lot of good reflections on the nature of teenage friendships, and how self-image and identity is so tied up in that. I enjoyed the dynamic between the girls, it felt very authentic and captured that toxic dreamlike state - something between love and jealousy.
I was surprised by this book, it exceeded my expectations. Though whilst sometimes the writing feels overwrought, there were some really special turns of phrase. I think Cline captures the ennui of being a teenage girl in the summer, and how growing into yourself can be a difficult transition period...and I love an author that can do that.
I went into this book without knowing anything about it, but I suspected pretty quickly into reading that the story is based on the Manson cult and murders. From reading other reviews I see that is the case. I'm probably one of the only people in the world that doesn't know a lot about Manson and his followers, so I can't vouch for how much is drawn from fact and how much is fiction. But I did find the premise of this book intriguing. I think cults are fascinating, and I'm also a sucker for stories about teenage girls trying to find themselves.
This story is told over two timelines - Evie in the 60's as it was happening, and Evie in what I assume is present day. I was far more interested in 60's Evie, a lonely girl left feeling cut adrift after her parents split up, and fighting with her best friend. Feeling disconnected and looking for something to take her outside of her life, she develops an infatuation with the older girl who seems to be everything Evie feels she is not. Through Suzanne, she makes her way into the group and their dilapidated ranch. Things quickly take her out of her depth, but something in Evie is propelled to keep sticking her hand in the flame, even when things don't feel right. Present day Evie is still tethered to her past in a way which has seen her potential wither away. She is house-sitting for a friend, when the friend's drug dealer son and his young girlfriend turn up unannounced. Evie is able to see in the girlfriend parallels of her younger self.
Given the violence of the act committed by the group against Russell's victim, as well as the sexual exploitation of underage girls, this book is quite...quiet. Evie is thoughtful to the point of passiveness, she is the instigator of very little of what happens to her. That's not to say she isn't observant or bubbling under with feelings, but even when she does act it is usually influenced by what is going on around her.
What I thought was interesting about this book was the way in which it is not Russell who has the cult-like influence on Evie, but another teenage girl. The cult and leader, even the violent act they carry out, is secondary to the relationship between the two girls and Evie's lack of a sense of self. It raised a lot of good reflections on the nature of teenage friendships, and how self-image and identity is so tied up in that. I enjoyed the dynamic between the girls, it felt very authentic and captured that toxic dreamlike state - something between love and jealousy.
I was surprised by this book, it exceeded my expectations. Though whilst sometimes the writing feels overwrought, there were some really special turns of phrase. I think Cline captures the ennui of being a teenage girl in the summer, and how growing into yourself can be a difficult transition period...and I love an author that can do that.
lydknoll's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
I read this in 2017, back when I was a freshman in college. Five years later, the plot escapes me but the feelings while reading it are still very present - I remember being enthralled, concerned, and disturbed. I read another review saying that Emma Cline has this unique ability to write unlikeable female narrators from a place of curiosity, not hate; I totally agree with that statement and think it’s part of what makes this book so intriguing and interesting. I, personally, couldn’t put it down.
thisfishlikestoread's review against another edition
4.0
Got this book via Net Galley for honest review.
The story itself is harsh, it’s not a romanticized take on a young adult. It uses every ploy to showcase the shattering of innocence. The characters are messy as in real life. Their intentions and actions complex and spellbinding.
I recommend this book. It’s dynamic and distinct storytelling. I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes to acquire a cult status in a few years. No pun intended. This powerful debut novel by Emma Cline is surely one of the bests of 2016.
Read full review here.
The story itself is harsh, it’s not a romanticized take on a young adult. It uses every ploy to showcase the shattering of innocence. The characters are messy as in real life. Their intentions and actions complex and spellbinding.
I recommend this book. It’s dynamic and distinct storytelling. I wouldn’t be surprised if it comes to acquire a cult status in a few years. No pun intended. This powerful debut novel by Emma Cline is surely one of the bests of 2016.
Read full review here.
gcsarussi's review against another edition
dark
medium-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
3.0
phoebedowling's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jedisuckerpunch's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
I picked up the book, read the first page and I was all in. I knew I would like it from the first page itself and that's how I love my books. The writing is just exquisite. Emma Cline knows how to set the scene and make it seem like you're experiencing it - it felt atmospheric.
Easy 5/5.
Easy 5/5.
obscuredbyclouds's review against another edition
2.0
You know those annoying people who are way too much into true crime? I sometimes worry I'm like this with cults and fringe religious groups. I don't listen to any podcasts or anything but if it's a theme in a novel/movie/tv show, I'm definitely drawn to it and even like subpar stuff as long as it delivers on the topic. So when I started listening to the audio book of "The Girls" last year, I was ready to be absorbed into the Manson-eqsue cult world in the 60s of California. I was, however, really turned off by the language and the narrator. My parents really liked this novel so I decided to give it another chance in the paperback format. Without the slow reading voice, it was definitely easier to get through but the language still didn't work for me. And it's the language that is the biggest downfall of the novel, too. I thought it was overwritten and overindulgent (a lot of my sentiments are echoed in Rachel's 2 star review), too many similes and overdescriptions. And there is not enough content to make up for it.
We do get an insight into the main character's thoughts and feelings but I never got close to the cult she hangs around or the girl she's infatuated with, or anyone else really. Even the pivotal point didn't get a lot of emotions from me. I don't think the sections in the present time added much except evoking feelings of discomfort. This novel is style over content - which is fine, except I hated the style.
It is decently plotted and there's some insight into what it's like to be a teenage girl who feels lost in the world. It's not a BAD book, I just didn't like it. Basically, you can read the first few pages of this in any sample and if the writing speaks to you, you will probably enjoy this novel. If you don't like the style, you won't like the rest either.
We do get an insight into the main character's thoughts and feelings but I never got close to the cult she hangs around or the girl she's infatuated with, or anyone else really. Even the pivotal point didn't get a lot of emotions from me. I don't think the sections in the present time added much except evoking feelings of discomfort. This novel is style over content - which is fine, except I hated the style.
It is decently plotted and there's some insight into what it's like to be a teenage girl who feels lost in the world. It's not a BAD book, I just didn't like it. Basically, you can read the first few pages of this in any sample and if the writing speaks to you, you will probably enjoy this novel. If you don't like the style, you won't like the rest either.
kgreene's review against another edition
dark
reflective
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
3.0