Evie Boyd just wants to be noticed. In Emma Cline’s bestselling novel, The Girls, readers are taken on the journey of love, loss, betrayal, and violence that begins when Evie notices a group of striking girls in the park — especially a dark-haired girl who catches Evie’s eye. Cline takes readers on the dark and chilling downslide of Evie’s life as she is caught in drugs, sex, violence, and a mysterious group of people who claim to be one big happy family. With a striking voice and an even more gripping coming-of-age tale, The Girls is a novel that will leave readers both intrigued and thrilled; this novel is completely unforgettable.
I read The Girls in just over a day; the plot and characters hooked me from start to finish. While some of today’s top-selling books can seem to be repetitive, slow-paced, and dull, The Girls can be called extraordinarily unique and one of the very best books of the year for adults (and teens too). Even though the book can be extremely dark and grisly at times, Cline’s writing style leaves readers continually guessing what insanity is in store for Evie. Even though I am a teen, I was still very intrigued with this title and was left satisfied with the reading experience — impressed by Cline’s sophisticated and memorable voice.
Even though I enjoyed The Girls, there were a few negative aspects to the book, especially for younger readers. Emma Cline is a very talented and gripping writer, but her constant graphic descriptions of both sex and violence were extremely horrific and at times cringe-worthy. I am not a sensitive reader in the slightest, but this book had me cringing and wincing from time to time, which definitely took away from the reading experience. For those who can get past the graphic and profane material, The Girls is a novel that will capture the attention of even the most reluctant of readers.
With a fascinating cult-based plot and constant drama and suspense, The Girls is a book that cannot be overlooked. Cline’s ability to describe the pain and suffering of a lonely and neglected teen is powerful and sure to resonate with all readers, teens, and adults alike. Follow Evie as she discovers the darkness of the real world, discovers friendship, and learns that everyone has something to hide.