47 pages • 1 hour read
The Girls
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Book Brief
368
Novel • Fiction
Northern California • 1960s
2016
YA
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Girls by Emma Cline is a contemporary literary fiction novel that delves into the life of Evie, an adult recalling her adolescence in 1969 when she became enchanted with a bohemian group led by the charismatic yet toxic Russell. Evie's desperation for belonging leads her into dangerous situations and a crushing entanglement with Suzanne, a magnetic female figure in the group. The novel explores themes of girlhood, societal manipulation, and the dark allure of cults. The narrative contains multiple references to sexual abuse and coercion.
Mysterious
Dark
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
253,482 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Emma Cline’s The Girls is praised for its evocative prose and exploration of adolescence, capturing the allure and danger of a cult. Reviewers appreciate Cline's compelling portrayal of protagonist Evie Boyd's vulnerabilities and the 1960s setting. Some critics note a slow pace and underdeveloped secondary characters but generally commend the novel's haunting and immersive narrative.
Who Should Read The Girls?
Readers who would enjoy The Girls by Emma Cline are typically fans of psychological fiction and historical contexts. If you appreciated The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides or Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi, you'll find this novel equally compelling for its exploration of youthful vulnerability and cult psychology.
253,482 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Suzanne
Suzanne
A young woman who is part of a cult and deeply devoted to its leader, Russell, influencing Evie with her confidence and unconventional lifestyle.
Russell
Russell
A charismatic cult leader who manipulates vulnerable young women, using charm and coercion to achieve his goals.
Sasha
Sasha
A teenager whom adult Evie encounters, reminiscent of Evie's younger self, naive and vulnerable, and involved with a boyfriend who exploits her.
368
Novel • Fiction
Northern California • 1960s
2016
YA
18+ years
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