Reddit meter
The Girls
368 pages, 2017
fiction
1382 booksNorthern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, and their dangerous aura of abandon.
Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, and charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted.
As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence, and to that moment in a girl’s life when everything can go horribly wrong.
Emma Cline's The Girls explores the dangerous power of manipulation. The book shows how easy it is for someone to be drawn into a toxic environment, especially when they are vulnerable and seeking acceptance. It's a reminder to be aware of who we let influence our lives.
The Girls digs deep into the complexities of female friendships and relationships. It shows how these relationships can be both empowering and destructive. It's a great read for anyone looking to understand the intricacies of female bonds.
Emma Cline's book takes a hard look at the societal pressures and expectations placed on women. It explores how these expectations can shape a woman's identity and choices, often leading to self-destructive behavior.
The Girls is a haunting exploration of lost innocence and the long-lasting effects it can have. It's a stark reminder that the choices we make in our youth can follow us into adulthood, shaping our lives in ways we never expected.
One of the key themes in The Girls is the human desire to belong. The book shows how this desire can lead us to make dangerous decisions and fall into harmful situations. It's a call to be mindful of where we seek acceptance and belonging.
Quotes 4
Emma Cline's first novel, The Girls, is a seductive and arresting coming-of-age story hinged around Charles Manson's infamous cult. It's a remarkable debut.
Stephen King - Horror Fiction AuthorThe Girls is a brilliant and intensely consuming novel—imposing not just for a writer so young, but for any writer, any time.
Richard Ford - Pulitzer Prize NovelistEmma Cline's The Girls is a superbly crafted historical novel, and a profoundly moving one, too.
Jennifer Egan - Pulitzer Prize NovelistThe Girls is a haunting story that delivers an exceptional read.
Lena Dunham - Actress, Writer