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procnesflight's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
leor3ads's review against another edition
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? Yes
2.0
shellbatronic's review against another edition
3.0
There are lots of frustrations in The Burning Girl. It is frustrating in that you are removed from the "main" character, Cassie, basically looking in and making lots of speculations without ever being told what is true. It's frustrating because the narrator makes everything about herself. But then again, isn't that adolescence? It made me remember what I hated about being a 12 year old girl. I wish there had been more substance there, but for such a quick read it's worth the time.
sarahdeforest's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hanlov's review against another edition
2.0
I got this book as a ‘blind date with a book’ from my local bookshop (I love you Auburn Oil Booksellers). “Childhood friendships, first loves, divergent paths, adult pains. Complex examination of the stories we tell ourselves about our pasts... echoes of Greek myths and fairytales, fables, mixed with a coming of age tale” was what this book’s wrapping said. Not sure why I expected something a bit more exciting. This book, to me, was a run on sentence personified. The dialogue was boring and the timeframe was all over the place.
aliciawithoutkeys's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Suicide attempt
annap5519's review against another edition
5.0
Not a huge fan of Claire Messud - The Woman Upstairs did nothing for me despite the glowing reviews. However, The Burning Girl is a masterpiece that I zipped through in two days. If you're sad when you finish a book, it was worthwhile. I adored it.
mbejjani's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I got caught up in the story and didn’t want to put the book down, but then the end felt a little long and preachy, less satisfying.
lola425's review against another edition
3.0
A great examination of friendship between young girls, especially those whose paths diverge as they head into adolescence. Messud gets the tone just right. I had just finished Ferrante's My Brilliant Friend just prior to reading this which explored a similar theme in a different time/setting and I actually found Julia and Cassie's relationship more compelling than Elena and Lila's. I felt the end floundered a bit, but much like life things peter out and don't necessarily resolve themselves in a neat little package.
millermk1229's review against another edition
Did not finish, the premise didn’t hold my interest.