Welcome to another Tuesday celebrating bookish events, First Chapter/Intros, hosted by Bibliophile by the Sea; and Teaser Tuesdays hosted by Books & a Beat.
Today’s feature is my next up read, a review e-ARC from NetGalley. The Girls, by Emma Cline, is an indelible portrait of girls, the women they become, and that moment in life when everything can go horribly wrong—this stunning first novel is perfect for readers of Jeffrey Eugenides’s The Virgin Suicides and Jennifer Egan’s A Visit from the Goon Squad.
Intro: I looked up because of the laughter, and kept looking because of the girls.
I noticed their hair first, long and uncombed. Then their jewelry 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. Families milling in a vague line, waiting for sausages and burgers from the open grill. Women in checked blouses scooting into their boyfriends’ sides, kids tossing eucalyptus buttons at the feral-looking chickens that overran the strip. These long-haired girls seemed to glide above all that was happening around them, tragic and separate. Like royalty in exile.
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Teaser: My task made me a spy in my mother’s house, my mother the clueless quarry. I could even apologize for our fight when I ran into her that night across the stillness of the hallway. My mother gave a little shrug but accepted my apology, smiling in a brave way. (45%).
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Synopsis: Northern California, during the violent end of the 1960s. At the start of summer, a lonely and thoughtful teenager, Evie Boyd, sees a group of girls in the park, and is immediately caught by their freedom, their careless dress, their dangerous aura of abandon. Soon, Evie is in thrall to Suzanne, a mesmerizing older girl, and is drawn into the circle of a soon-to-be infamous cult and the man who is its charismatic leader. Hidden in the hills, their sprawling ranch is eerie and run down, but to Evie, it is exotic, thrilling, charged—a place where she feels desperate to be accepted. As she spends more time away from her mother and the rhythms of her daily life, and as her obsession with Suzanne intensifies, Evie does not realize she is coming closer and closer to unthinkable violence.
Emma Cline’s remarkable debut novel is gorgeously written and spellbinding, with razor-sharp precision and startling psychological insight. The Girls is a brilliant work of fiction.
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I have been eager to start reading this book, a reminder of a time when young people longed for a more free and casual way of life, and often plunged ahead impulsively with no clue about what could happen to them. What do you think? Would you keep reading?
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This sounds like an excellent book, especially since it is set in the 1960s. I hope you enjoy it. I’m looking forward to your review.
My Tuesday post features LA VIE EN ROSE
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Thanks, Sandra, and it does take me back to that horrible summer of Charles Manson…and how before that, hippies seemed fun and their lives looked idyllic. Funny thing about appearances. Enjoy your pick!
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Yes this one is on my wishlist – it does sound very good and I like the opener very much too! Enjoying the new background on your blog 😉
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Thanks, Cleo, I do love playing with backgrounds (and headers, and themes! lol).
I am excited about this book…it’s up next for me. Enjoy your pick.
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Just love that intro and can’t wait to read the novel!
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For some reason this made me flash back to my high school days LOL (so long ago) I’d read more.
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Ah, yes, flashbacks to the past happen with some of these books, Diane. Thanks for stopping by…and for hosting.
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My thoughts exactly, JoAnn…thanks for stopping by.
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It sounds a bit intense for me this summer. But I will watch for your review. We usually like the same books.Enjoy!
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Thanks, Judy, it might be too intense for me, too; glad you could stop by.
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I got a physical ARC at BEA. It’s sitting on my dining room table and winks at me every time I walk past, LOL. There’s so much buzz about it that I can’t wait to get it started.
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What fun to have your physical ARC winking at you! Mine is tucked away in Pippa, and the ARCs there don’t even have covers…so no winking. But it is calling to me, Catherine. Enjoy!
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Ilke the premise of the book, but somehow the intro and teaser aren’t grabbing me. I probably need to read the first chapter. I hope it’s happy reading for you.
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Sometimes opening lines don’t do much for me, either, Margot…probably a more suspenseful opening would work. Thanks for stopping by.
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This a favorite for the year. It has really stuck with me long after I finished it. I hope you enjoy it.
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Good to know, Heather! Thanks for stopping by.
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Ooh, that sounds like a good book! Let us know how it is! My Tuesday Intro is about And I Darken.
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Thanks, Kait, I am eager to start reading it. Enjoy your book!
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This does sound like it would tell an interesting story. I hope you enjoy it. Thanks for visiting my blogs. Happy reading!
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Thanks, Kathy, I hope so, too. Have a great week!
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Sounds like a good read, enjoy!
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Thanks, Mary Ann, I think it will be.
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I just read this book last week and absolutely loved it! Something about Cline’s writing style just completely blew me away! I hope you enjoy it 🙂 and thanks for stopping by my blog!
Juli @ Universe in Words
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Thanks, Juli, I am pleased to hear that! So many people have loved it, so I’m sure to enjoy it as well.
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I’ve seen a lot of hype around this book which has made me a little bit wary but I am liking those extracts.
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Thanks, Ali, and hype often makes me wary as well…but I am eager to read it nonetheless.
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Have already read this but would read again. Do hope you enjoy.
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Thanks, Emma, glad to hear that!
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This sounds like a great book – the writing is sharp. Yes… I would want to continue reading. My TT this week is a remarkable read – https://sjhigbee.wordpress.com/2016/06/07/teaser-tuesday-7th-june-2016/
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Thanks, Sarah, I like the writing, too. Enjoy your book!
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Thank you – I will:). And thank you for visiting my blog. Have a great week!
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I liked The Girls a lot, but it didn’t meet the hype for me. But it’s still worth reading, and the writing is really good. I hope you enjoy it. 🙂
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Thanks, Kathy, I hope to love it, despite any downside. Enjoy yours!
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I was on the fence about this book. Not sure why, as I like the time frame, but I am inching off the fence towards the book. Look forward to your thoughts.
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Even I had some doubts, Nise, but so many bloggers have enjoyed it that I’m eager to move ahead. Thanks for stopping by.
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Great teaser! Here’s my teaser:
https://rabbitearsblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/08/teaser-tuesday-4-the-fool-and-the-flying-ship-by-eric-metaxas/
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Thanks, Rabbit Ears…enjoy your book!
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Thanks!
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Spuns very suspenseful! I remember the 60s but thankfully had nothing so dramatic happened to us!.
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Thanks, Harvee, and I had some good times in the 60s, but nothing that dramatic happened for me, either.
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You’ve got me curious about this one now. I have an interest in cults–the make up and psychology surrounding those drawn into them as well as the leaders. I will have to look for this one.
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I am fascinated for the same reasons….the group dynamics are so interesting. How does a cult leader mesmerize and gather around him those who would do his bidding? Thanks for stopping by, Wendy.
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Makes me think of Charles Manson. I hope the book isn’t as horrible as him and his followers. I’m always curious to read about cults. I like to explore group dynamics.
My TT from Chasing Fireflies
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I am also fascinated by the group dynamics, and hopefully, this book will not lead to the horrific acts that Manson did. Thanks for stopping by, Laura.
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The premise of a cult is indeed intriguing. I’d be interested to see how it’s orchestrated.
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I am fascinated by that process, too, Charlie. Thanks for stopping by.
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