A review by laura_sotillos
The Guest by Emma Cline

dark sad tense 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

2.5

I’ve really really enjoyed all of Emma Cline’s other books - I’ve read all of them up to date and I’m a person who rarely repeats authors (something about feeling like then I would be missing out on so many other voices… but anyway).
However this book was not for me. I think the character is very well defined and in the middle (about 150 pages in until more or less the end) I really enjoyed it. Even though I did not like Alex, the protagonist (who likes someone so adept at lying?), I was rooting for her at the end. But it took really long to get me interested (I persevered out of stubbornness) at the beginning and I found the ending deeply underwhelming.
Everyone has their own taste, but I would recommend starting with one of her previous books if it’s the first time you are reading Cline! Hope you enjoy whichever one you pick!
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