40 pages 1 hour read

Emma Cline

The Guest

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2023

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Emma Cline's The Guest follows a 22-year-old woman named Alex who is spending the summer in the Hamptons with her older, wealthy boyfriend Simon, but her precarious lifestyle leads to a series of mistakes that cause Simon to send her away. Alex tries to find ways to stay in the Hamptons, maneuvering through various social situations and encountering new characters, all while avoiding the dangerous Dom from the city. The novel delves into themes of survival, self-sabotage, resilience, and manipulation. This guide contains references to substance-use disorder, suicidal ideation, and self-harm.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Emma Cline's The Guest is met with praise for its evocative prose and compelling protagonist. Critics laud Cline's ability to capture an atmospheric sense of dislocation. However, some find the plot meanders and lacks resolution. Overall, the novel is a nuanced exploration of identity and transience, recommended for readers who appreciate introspective narratives.

Who should read this

Who Should Read The Guest?

The ideal reader for Emma Cline's The Guest enjoys character-driven narratives with complex protagonists navigating morally ambiguous situations. Fans of Ottessa Moshfegh's My Year of Rest and Relaxation or Sally Rooney's Normal People will appreciate the introspective storytelling and nuanced exploration of contemporary life.

RecommendedReading Age

18+years

Book Details

Genre

Psychological Fiction

Realistic Fiction

Horror / Thriller / Suspense Fiction

Topics

Class

Gender / Feminism

Themes

Identity: Gender

Society: Class

Values/Ideas: Truth & Lies