The Girls (Cline novel)

The Girls is a 2016 novel by American author Emma Cline. It is a coming-of-age story set in Northern California during the summer of 1969 against the backdrop of a Manson Family-esque cult.

The novel centers on Evie Boyd, a 14-year-old girl struggling with her parents' divorce and feelings of isolation. She becomes captivated by a group of older girls led by the charismatic Suzanne, drawn to their seemingly carefree and alluring lifestyle. Evie becomes increasingly entangled with the group, who reside on a dilapidated ranch, eventually learning they are involved with a manipulative and dangerous figure known as Russell.

The Girls explores themes of female vulnerability, the search for belonging, the complexities of adolescence, and the seductive power of cults. It is not a direct retelling of the Manson Family story, but rather a fictional exploration inspired by its cultural impact and the underlying psychological factors that contribute to such phenomena. The novel received critical acclaim for its evocative prose, nuanced character development, and exploration of the darker aspects of human nature. It was Cline's debut novel.