by Valerie Mischka

The late 60s was a time of free love, music, promiscuous actions, and independence. People wanted freedom and didn’t want to be controlled. The Girls, by Emma Cline, reflects the cliché of the 60s that we often don’t think of. Not only does the book represent the time of the 60s but it focuses on what it was like to be a teenage girl caught up in it. The Girls is set around Evie Boyd, a fourteen-year-old girl, who lives in Northern California. Evie’s parents are divorced and she lives with her mother. Evie is living the typical summer life: hot summer days, swimming, eating popsicles, and drooling over boys. Her summer takes a turn when she meets the mysterious Susannah. Susannah’s life isn’t all that it seems to be at first. Susannah is a part of a cult similar to that of the infamous Manson Family. The group consists mainly of young women and their powerful leader, Russell. The cult is heavily influenced by Russell in regards to sexual favors and murder. Evie tells her side of the story through her perspective as a middle age woman. She describes the appeal of the carefree women and why she chose to partake in their shenanigans. The book starts off a little slow but once you get into it you won’t want to put it down! The Girls takes unexpected turns that are surprising and worth it. I encourage everyone to take a break from their required reading and try out The Girls.