Comment

Dec 02, 2017green_cat_1952 rated this title 2.5 out of 5 stars
Some parts of the story shocked me. Of course, I didn't grow up during this time, so I could just be a bit ignorant, seeing as this era was considered "the Sexual Revolution." I get that Cline was intending for this to be more of a character study, having done research on other cults, and letting the readers get an understanding as to why Evie joined the group; and I think that's exactly why this book has been so popular. The Manson Family has been such an intriguing subject over the years, and this novel provides a new, albiet fictitious, take on it. But what about the other girls? Do we get a good understanding as to why Suzanne, Donna, Helen and Roo are there...? Not really, no. I wonder how this would have turned out if it was from the perspective of Suzanne instead? Evie can come and go to the ranch whenever she pleases, while everyone else practically lives there. Evie isn't enamored with the leader, Russell, but with Suzanne (an interesting twist, might I add). There's also the fact that Evie isn't present when the murders eventually happen, which is also a tad disappointing, since I was expecting her to be the one who simply stood outside the house and listened to the horrifying screams from within, like what happened with Linda Kasabian in real-life. But, again, I knew that that aspect was meant to be kept more in the background. Overall, I liked it, but wouldn't consider it as amazing as it's been made out to be. I would also warn that it's definitely not an all-round pleasant read.