The Guest

✮✮General Fiction

Sep 19

Written By Repy White

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 about 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 five 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..