“I looked up because of the laughter, and kept looking because of the girls.”

This is the very first sentence of The Girls, a 2016 novel by Emma Cline. The line mentioned above already succeeds in arousing interest in most readers, but imagine a novel that melts fiction and real life crimes together, with an atmosphere that encapsulates both the nostalgia for the blissful unawareness adolescence and a sense of dread for the reality portrayed. If that sounds exciting to you, then this article is tailor-made for you. Loosely based on the story of the Manson Family and the murder of actress Sharon Tate, this book manages to portray the gullibility of a young girl, manipulated into joining a cult. Whether you are a fan of true crime or just looking for a well-structured novel with thoroughly-developed characters, The Girls by Emma Cline will be a good fit for you. That being said, I will delve into the depths of one of the most captivating books I’ve ever read.

Synopsis

First and foremost, I would like to start by giving you some context based on the plot of the novel. Set in the late 1960s, it follows the story of Evie Boyd, a young teenager drawn into a cult reminiscent of the infamous Manson Family. The charismatic cult leader, Russell, leads a group of young women who are captivated by his ideology and lifestyle. Evie becomes entangled with the group and its dangerous dynamics, exploring themes of vulnerability, manipulation, and the allure of belonging. The narrative alternates between Evie's experiences as a young girl and her reflections as an adult, allowing readers to see the lasting impact of those turbulent times on her life. The novel explores the complexities of adolescence, the search for identity, and the dark consequences of misplaced admiration, still sparing some passages for the first steps into a fragile love story.

Themes

The themes and issues tackled in The Girls are countless. It masterfully probes into the complexities of human behaviour, by digging deep into the protagonist’s soul and through the interactions with other characters.
First of all, this book represents the challenges of a young woman grappling with her identity, desires and need for belonging as she navigates the transition between childhood to adulthood. It also touches on issues of gender and sexuality through the experiences of the girls in the cult, examining how societal expectations influence their choices.
Another interesting topic Emma Cline managed to take into account is the idea of beauty and the power it beholds. Evie’s fascination with one of the girls, Suzanne, is largely based on that notion, reflecting the superficial nature of some relationships and the larger theme of attraction.
The desire for belonging is what drives the plot forward and ultimately leads the protagonist to join the cult. Her longing for acceptance blinds her to rational judgement and it is the factor that allowed the charismatic leader, Russell, to wield his power over her and the rest of his followers. By offering insight into the dynamics of power and control, The Girls gives us readers a glimpse into the allure of cults and the psychology behind them. The vulnerable individuals described in the novel are quickly drawn to a community that actually leads them to their exploitation.
After some chapters, you will soon be met with some particularly disturbing scenes, portraying sexual exploitation and psychological abuse. The novel addresses the violence occurring within and outside the cult, showing the consequences and the long-lasting effects of those actions. It is actually through those traumatic events that Evie is given a glimpse into the darker side of the world, leading her to the ultimate loss of her innocence.
However surreal this story may sound nowadays, it is not far from reality. Other than the fact that it was inspired by real life events, the historical context of the novel may give us some insight into the reasons leading up to this event. Set in the late 1960s, The Girls has the aim to represent the social turmoil of that time. Counterculture movements, generational divides and the disillusionment of youth all contributed to that unstable environment.
Finally, the narrative structure alternates between Evie’s past perspective and her reflections as an adult. By delving into the themes of nostalgia and memory, we get a whole new point of view on past experiences, as well as the impact on her present-self.

Characters

Besides the captivating plot, one of the biggest strengths of the novel are certainly the character. Emma Cline manages to craft believable individuals with goals, beliefs, vulnerabilities and flaws. None of them can be considered a cardboard character, not even the side ones. They all have different dimensions and motivations. Given the large range of characters featured in the novel, I will only get into the details about the most influential ones.
It would be redundant to mention how well crafted Evie’s character is. She is a teenager struggling with feelings of isolation, and her yearning for something meaningful lure her into the cult. As an adult, she tries to make sense of her past choices and explores the effect they have on her current life.
The central figure she meets in the cult is Suzanne. Evie is instantly attracted to her. She is charismatic, enigmatic and rebellious. She disregards societal norms and her relationship with both the cult leader and the protagonist is rather ambiguous, therefore her unpredictability always keeps readers on their toes.
The leader of the cult, Russell, is the one who exploited the young women’s vulnerabilities to his advantage. His charm masks his sinister intentions and his longing for absolute control. He is the perfect embodiment of the dangers of unchecked authority.
Despite being a rather absent figure throughout the book, Evie’s mother, Connie Boyd, contributes to her daughter’s feelings of neglect. She is preoccupied with her own romantic pursuits and social life, so she completely overlooks her daughter’s struggles.
Last but not least, another character worth mentioning is Tom, a boy from Evie’s past who represent a sense of normalcy and a more traditional teenage experience. The protagonist is mainly drawn to him because of his innocence and the fact that he is the total opposite of the darkness she’s used to.

Writing style

“It begins with the Ford idling up the narrow drive, the sweet drone of honeysuckle thickening the August air. The girls in the backseat, holding hands, the car windows down to let in the seep of night. The radio playing until the driver, suddenly jittery, turns it off.”

This passage from the first chapter of the book perfectly represents the writing style Emma Cline held throughout the novel. Her prose could be described as lyrical, immersive, rich with vivid descriptions and sensory details that draw readers into the world of the story. The atmosphere she creates is simply unique, caught between poetry and grittiness, capturing the essence of the setting.
She uses a first person perspective to delve deeper into Evie’s thoughts and feelings, providing different perspectives through the alternation between adolescence and adulthood. The language used reflects the tension between the mundane and the intense, blurring the lines between innocence and traumatic events. By providing an introspective nature, the choice of words evokes a sense of nostalgia, unease and empathy.

Real life crime

One of the best aspects of this book is the accuracy in portraying the real life events linked to the Manson case, exploring the consequences on the individuals involved.
The Manson Family case involved a cult led by Charles Manson in the late 1960s, gathering at the Spahn Ranch. His followers carried out gruesome murders in his name, after being manipulated into believing in his twisted ideologies. To be more precise, the crime that marked a turning point in the public perception of the counterculture movement, was the killing of actress Sharon Tate. It was carried out by four of his followers, Charles "Tex" Watson, Susan Atkins, Patricia Krenwinkel and Linda Kasabian. The nation was shocked by the ritualistic elements and brutal details on the crime scenes. After getting caught, Manson and many of his followers were sentenced to life imprisonment for murder. This case remains one of the most notorious series of crimes highlighting the dangers of charismatic leaders luring vulnerable people into cults.

What I enjoyed the most

Despite the numerous aspects I have already praised throughout this entire article, I would like to highlight once more the elements I appreciated the most.
The vivid style does a great job at making readers feel like they belong to a world they have probably never experienced before. The atmosphere created makes the setting of the cult feel believable, clarifying the reasons that lead Evie to join the group and the intentions hidden behind Russell’s actions.
What really stood out the most is the insight the author offers into the psychology of the characters. There isn’t a single individual that lacks depth or development. It portrays the complexities of relationships with skilful accuracy. I particularly appreciated the bonds created between the members of the cult, offering throughout-provoking examinations of topics such as rebellion, identity and manipulation. Despite the large range of themes tackled throughout the book, Emma Cline still manages to introduce them gradually, without making any of them feel forced.

Some critiques I have

I have already stated my admiration and fascination for this book. It would be hard for me to point out the few aspects I enjoyed a little less, but I will try to outline at least one element that I didn’t particularly appreciate.
While I do not agree with critics stating that some characters are not as nuanced as they would have preferred, I certainly do understand when people critique the writing style. While I certainly enjoy a mixture of poetry and prose from time to time, it can become redundant. In some cases, the novel may be considered overly descriptive and verbose. The words she usually musters like a glassblower can be so abundant they turn into a pot full of adjectives and adverbs without a precise aim. This exaggeration may impact impact the book’s pacing and engagement for some readers.
Despite this secondary aspect, it didn’t really bother me too much while I read the novel. The bigger picture surely makes up for this small detail.
Being one of the books I enjoyed the most, I feel compelled to recommend it to those who I’m sure will appreciate the amazing story Emma Cline crafted. I believe The Girls is particularly suitable for coming-of-age enthusiasts, readers interested in the psychology behind cults and those enthralled by 1960s counterculture. In addition, I reckon those who like lyrical prose and character-driven narratives will certainly adore this novel.
That being said, I hope you will give this book a chance and let me know what you think!