The Girls by Emma Cline - it's a pretty good engrossing read

[tripfiction]

Virtually every list of top Summer reads this year seems to includes this novel. So it was time to read it! Putting to one side the early pages (where I almost stopped reading), which were redolent of the new creative writing style - overstuffed prose with similes and adjectives - it morphs into a slow burning read, with menace looming. A drop-out cult in the late 1960s and how it gradually pulls people in. Where does it all end? Intelligent and thoughtful.

I really enjoyed it and rather liked her writing style, possibly as I had just read something badly written.

I really enjoyed this as well. I thought it was very well written and self assured especially for a debut novel. Looking forward to reading any of her future books.

Didn't like this at all. Way too much description and the characterisation was lacking.

I really didn't like it. I didn't even finish it and that's rare for me.

I didn't like it either. I did finish it but and was heartily glad when I did.

I read it on holiday in March and enjoyed it. Thought it was well written. There's a real sense of dread all the way through and you can feel the claustrophobia

Didn't like it didn't finish it. Hype over substance and one of richard and Judy's book choices which are always shite.
Still it's all subjective and plenty don't enjoy what I love.

I hated it, thought it was a thoroughly unpleasant book

I didn't get past the first chapter

How many pages are "the early pages", OP? I've got to p85 and it hasn't grabbed me yet.

Finding it a bit repellent tbh.

I must admit I got bored of it quickly. I read the first few chapters and the last few.

Didn't think much of it at all. Dull dull dull. I skipped a lot in the middle. I would have abandoned it a lot earlier but it was lent to me by a friend, so I felt I ought to read enough to comment.

I agree with a PP that the characterisation is sketchy, didn't get any sense of the draw that these people exerted. There's no suspense as the outcome is given away very early on.

And the writing! It's so contrived and pretentious.
"The car ride was as slurred over and unbelievable as a long illness."
WTF?

I didn't like the writing either. It had the style that you might find in a creative writing class.

Yes, agreed. A forced, unnatural style.

I wanted to like it. Was really excited and kept it as a 'holiday read' - one I could really spend time over.

I think I got about ten pages in. I don't remember much but the florid, overblown prose that was yes, very like something from a creative writing class.

I had forgotten about it actually so I'm going to go and read some spoilers on Goodreads!