The Girls by Emma Cline // Book Review 2018

"I looked up because of the laughter, and kept looking because of the girls. I noticed their hair first, long and uncombed. Then their jewellery catching the sun. The three of them were far enough away that I saw only the periphery of their features, but it didn't matter - I knew they were different from everyone else in the park..."

The Girls by Emma Cline // I am finally back with a book review. It's been a while since I've decided to share my thoughts on my most recent read, and today I'm talking about The Girls. I had seen this book all over my Instagram feed, and I would say it's definitely been 'the book' of summer 2017. My best friend gave me some Waterstones vouchers for my birthday, and after deliberating for a very long time about what to buy, I went for three modern titles: The Girls by Emma Cline, The Nest by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney and The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry.

First up, The Girls. Now, I did like this book, but you should know straight away, it is hyped, and I did expect it to be better than it was. Although saying that, the story was interesting and I was intrigued to know what happened to the main character, 14 year old Evie Boyd. The story is set in the 70s and follows Evie as she gets caught up in a free-living, hippie cult. The plot and characters are loosely based on the real-life Charles Manson murders that took place back in the 1970s, and Emma Cline manages to capture the creepiness of the time perfectly. 

Some moments throughout the book are very well described, and you do feel yourself being transported back in time. I read a review on GoodReads that describes the book as 'a great representation of the young female psyche navigating insecurities, rebellion, and curiosities through adolescence', and I'd have to agree - you really get inside the head of a young teenage girl struggling with the burning desire to be popular, make new friends, battle issues at home with her newly-divorced parents, and ultimately, murder. 

[spoiler ahead, look away now if you have not read!]

However, my main issue with the plot was the slight loop holes and these were the main questions I had when I finished reading: Does Evie ever get caught/ investigated by the police? Surely someone would be able to realise that she was associated with the gang? Although she wasn't there on the night of the murders, she had still been seen frequently with the other girls? Similarly, the novel shifts between Evie as a 14 year old and then as a 40 year old adult - yet the author fails to discuss how the murders and being associated with a killer cult has affected the rest of her life? It just seemed a little odd to be moving back and forth and not filling the gaps in-between... Those were my main areas of thought anyways, let me know if you think the same? 

Have you read The Girls by Emma Cline? Do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? Let me know in the comments below. 

More soon,

Helen

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