A review by lindseyas
The Guest by Emma Cline

dark emotional reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Pretty much nothing happens plot-wise in this book, but Cline's ability to craft such an unlikeable yet melancholic main character is just masterful. Alex's journey is a mundane one, just a week-long wandering through a beach town, looking for stimulation and wasting her time. Drug-induced and depressive episodes inspire her aimless activities, from sexual relationships to basic thrill-seeking. She accomplishes nothing monumental, but continues down a path that she feels is right for her — staying in comfort and avoiding all conflict. The novel, while uninteresting in terms of action or thrill, is entirely engaging — Alex's actions are both cringe-worthy and angst-inducing at the same time, and Cline is able to create a wholly dramatic book without any drama at all.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings