The Girls by Emma Cline

Title: The Girls
Author: Emma Cline
Publisher: Random House
Genre: Literary Fiction
Year of Publication: 2016
Date of Publication: June 14, 2016
Pages: 368
ISBN-10: 0812998601
ISBN-13: 978-0812998603

Summary of The Girls by Emma Cline

The Girls is a novel about obsession, desire, and the search for belonging. 

Set in 1960s California, the story follows 14 year old Evie Boyd, a lonely teenager who parents recently divorced.

Evie doesn’t have many friends and becomes captivated by a group of girls led by an older girl named Suzanne. 

Drawn into their world, Evie discovers the group’s dark and violent undercurrents, mirroring the infamous Manson Family cult. 

Main Themes

The novel examines themes of vulnerability, identity, the allure of power, and the consequences of blind loyalty.

It explores the complexities of adolescence, the longing for acceptance, and the moral ambiguities of human behavior. 

Writing Style

Emma Cline’s writing captures the mood of 1960s California and what it is like to be a 14 year old girl. Her writing is elaborate and through Evie’s perspective, Cline dissects the dynamics of influence and the lasting scars of youthful choices. 

The book is told mostly from the perspective of 14 year old Evie although we get to hear a bit of 40-year old Evie at the start of the book.

Impact of The Girls by Emma Cline

The novel explores cult dynamics.

It sparks discussions about the psychological factors that drive people toward destructive paths and the universal desire for connection. 

What are your thoughts on The Girls by Emma Cline? Have you had a chance to read it? Let us know in the comments!