A review by charbck
The Girls by Emma Cline

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

2.75

the book that put me in a two month reading slump 🙌🙌🙌 this book is written fine. the feminist critiques are interesting and well put but surface level. the only thing intriguing is the queer love/lust
that is never realized (big surprise there)


the problem with this book, and the reason i was never motivated to pick it up, was
you know from the start its just the fictionalized manson family murders. the book tells you that. and you get the facts the whole time : cult, mass murder, who did it, who was murdered, the narrator wasnt involved. and thats the problem. you know everything that is going to happen so there is no feeling of suspense or intrigue or mystery. and you think omg its a plot twist she did actually kill them what??? but nope. she wasnt there. theres no plot twist, no hints at mystery. so like why do i want to pick this book up if i know everything thats gonna happen


i should have just dnfed this book but it got such good reviews and i wanted to see what the fuss is about. if you know anything about the manson family murders (and basically everyone does), i recommend skipping this one.
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