The Guest

✮✮

Sep 19

The Guest - Emma Cline

my review : ✮✮

I think this is the most difficult review I've ever written! I didn't enjoy the book, BUT it occupied a lot of space in my head and has sparked interesting conversation. Honestly, this book made me feel like it was a test- if you didn't like it well, then you don't get it, and that's a "you" problem. I've read books that I didn't love, and I've been able to share why it wasn't for me. This book is different in that I had a very emotional response to not liking it. I felt like... I wasn't smart enough to like it? I wrote a really long review that was a weirdly emotional reaction to this book. I think this book has me feeling a bit defensive of the type of books I enjoy reading? At the end of the day, I think this book is an excellent read for many; I am just not one of them. I found this to be whatever the opposite of life-affirming is with few redeeming qualities.

The aforementioned redeeming qualities: The sense of urgency in this book was intoxicating; the writing was excellent and made the story virtually impossible to put down.

The story is about a woman who is spending the month in The Hamptons with her much older boyfriend. Finally, things in her life seem to be working out. That is until she makes a misstep, and her boyfriend dumps her, sending her packing on the first train out. As she waits for the train, she realizes she can't go back to the city; all that waits for her there is too much to confront. So, despite her limited resources, she decides to stay in the Hamptons for the next 5 days, relying on the ignorance and kindness of strangers to make it to her ex's Labor Day weekend party.

I get it; this book is some commentary on something, and maybe the BRADS have turned my brain to mush, but that commentary was lost on me. I am pretty certain the author would be fine with me not loving the book and, honestly, would probably take it as a compliment.

Not for me- it might be for you! I am truly DYING to hear what you thought of this one.