Reviews with content warning for Classism - The Guest

Reviews tagging 'Classism'

The Guest by Emma Cline

7 reviews

sineadw9's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

This roving, voyeuristic novel challenges us with a self-sabotaging, emotionally detached lead but manages to get you to care about her. I enjoyed the read and the vignettes into different peoples lives through the main character’s perspective. However, I found it felt too long, too detached, and ultimately lacked payoff. It’s worth a read, and the writing style keeps you interested, but I’m a little surprised by the rave reviews.

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kaiulanilee's review

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dark mysterious reflective tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

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nkmustdie's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

1.0

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lindseyas's review

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dark emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Pretty much nothing happens plot-wise in this book, but Cline's ability to craft such an unlikeable yet melancholic main character is just masterful. Alex's journey is a mundane one, just a week-long wandering through a beach town, looking for stimulation and wasting her time. Drug-induced and depressive episodes inspire her aimless activities, from sexual relationships to basic thrill-seeking. She accomplishes nothing monumental, but continues down a path that she feels is right for her — staying in comfort and avoiding all conflict. The novel, while uninteresting in terms of action or thrill, is entirely engaging — Alex's actions are both cringe-worthy and angst-inducing at the same time, and Cline is able to create a wholly dramatic book without any drama at all.

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daphnemarie's review against another edition

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tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for a digital galley in exchange for my honest review.

The trials and tribulations of a sugar baby doing her damnedest to find herself back in the good graces of her benefactor after being sent away.

Alex’s latest boyfriend Simon, decades older than her, brings her along to cottage country in Long Island for the summer, but he quickly tires of her after a series of faux pas. Under the promise that they will speak soon, he buys her a train ticket back to the city. With nothing except a bag of expensive clothing, $400 in her account, and a broken phone, she decides not to return to the city where a dangerous former flame may be waiting for her. She decides to surprise Simon at his garden party in four days and apologize after he’s had some time to miss her.

The resulting novel is the ins and outs of surviving in cottage country with no place to go. From pretending to be a long lost friend on spring break, but accidentally sleeping with someone’s boyfriend to doing cocaine with Simon’s friends house-sitter and ruining a priceless painting, to pseudo-babysitting a random child to gain entrance to a country club and eat hamburgers on the parents tab. She manages to spend days near the beach without a car or a place to stay. But she keeps picking herself up at the expense of her dignity. Meanwhile, stealing and making judgments on the poor suckers she’s lying to for food or a ride.

This novel is a character study. It lacks plot. The writing is interesting, but it’s just writing. It doesn’t convey a story. It’s a snapshot of a life, but not an interesting one.

I loved The Girls when I read it, and still do. I think with a heavier plot, I would have enjoyed The Guest more than I did.

Despite my personal enjoyment, I think The Guest will become a kind of modern classic. It is to 2023 what The Catcher in the Rye was to the 1950s. It will find a home with fans of A24 films, Ottessa Moshfegh’s My Year of Rest and Relaxation, and Lisa Taddeo’s Animal.

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allshewrotebks's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

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skudiklier's review against another edition

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dark reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

So I honestly don't know how to review this book. I was very engaged, and read almost the entire thing in one day. And there were some bits I found really insightful and well-written. However, overall it was pretty stressful and dissatisfying. It kind of reminds me of The Catcher in the Rye in some ways, except I liked that book more.

I don't know. I did enjoy it in a way, and it was compelling, and I found myself rooting for Alex in spite of myself. But I don't think I'd recommend it to anyone. Maybe it's just not my kind of book. I'd love to hear someone argue for why it's good/what its purpose is beyond just being tense and stressful and somewhat entertaining.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for the chance to read and review this ARC.

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