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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
Interesting, though not really my jam. But then, I did read it quickly, so maybe it was my jam?
The prose felt a bit too purple in the beginning but found its way as it went a long. This gave me a few things to think about when it comes to gender politics. I'll probably remember those thoughts more than the actual story.
The prose felt a bit too purple in the beginning but found its way as it went a long. This gave me a few things to think about when it comes to gender politics. I'll probably remember those thoughts more than the actual story.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Now finished the book & I feel icky. The beautiful prose I so loved in early chapters took on new power when used for the dark & grotesque… Overall, a deeply unsettling, strangely organized Manson family allegory.
—
Update @ 52%: Here's the thing. I think Cline's prose is beautiful. She uses a lot of interesting turns of phrase and lyrical descriptions I find myself highlighting throughout.
That said, I am finding it difficult to push through due to the narrative. I find the modern day storyline much more compelling than the pseudo-Manson storyline.
I will soldier on...
—
Update @ 52%: Here's the thing. I think Cline's prose is beautiful. She uses a lot of interesting turns of phrase and lyrical descriptions I find myself highlighting throughout.
That said, I am finding it difficult to push through due to the narrative. I find the modern day storyline much more compelling than the pseudo-Manson storyline.
I will soldier on...
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
I read this after reading Cline’s The Guest because I wanted to see what her first novel was like. I feel like this was a good debut with some pretty haunting emotional themes outside of brutality and cults. The I feel like The Guest was more dialed in to the character but I like Cline’s take on the imperfect narrator, choices mysterious.
This book was a bit too long imo and there’s a little hand wringing about misogyny without exploring honestly what drives the female characters.
The book was very dark and p gross at times.
This book was a bit too long imo and there’s a little hand wringing about misogyny without exploring honestly what drives the female characters.
The book was very dark and p gross at times.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I devoured this book in a day. I had expected it to be more of a straight retelling of the Manson Murders, but was pleasantly surprised by the perspective and turns the book took. A slow-burning, beautiful and uniquely written book about the powers and powerlessness of women and girls, and how often their/our narratives are written for them, instead of by their own agency. So well done.
The Girls is an interesting book and one to read if you are interested in cults.
Pros:
- Great, poetic writing - you really get a sense of the time period and the way of cult life.
- You really feel the sense of sadness and longing in the book, which can suck you right into the story.
- The narration on audio was great!
Cons:
- Writing can come off as pretentious, especially if you aren't used to reading literally fiction.
- The main character is extremely apathetic and jaded, which sometimes makes it hard to like her and occasionally made me want to smack her into just living her life.
- The book is essentially the story of Charles Manson and the Ranch, but all the names are changed and you are viewing the cult from an outsider who almost was a part of it but didn't quite get the chance; I can see this rubbing people the wrong way.
Remember, this is a literally fiction, so if you want the actual/true story then go read Helter Skelter.
At the end of the day, this book explores the life of a teen girl who struggles to belong in the world, and when she finally thinks she finds where she belongs (the Ranch) it's ripped away and she never gets a chance to feel fulfilled in that way (see above for the apathetic main character).
Overall rating: 3.5/4 starts!
Pros:
- Great, poetic writing - you really get a sense of the time period and the way of cult life.
- You really feel the sense of sadness and longing in the book, which can suck you right into the story.
- The narration on audio was great!
Cons:
- Writing can come off as pretentious, especially if you aren't used to reading literally fiction.
- The main character is extremely apathetic and jaded, which sometimes makes it hard to like her and occasionally made me want to smack her into just living her life.
- The book is essentially the story of Charles Manson and the Ranch, but all the names are changed and you are viewing the cult from an outsider who almost was a part of it but didn't quite get the chance; I can see this rubbing people the wrong way.
Remember, this is a literally fiction, so if you want the actual/true story then go read Helter Skelter.
At the end of the day, this book explores the life of a teen girl who struggles to belong in the world, and when she finally thinks she finds where she belongs (the Ranch) it's ripped away and she never gets a chance to feel fulfilled in that way (see above for the apathetic main character).
Overall rating: 3.5/4 starts!