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Book Reports: The One I Left Behind & The Girls

January 30, 2017 by Cassie 16 Comments

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Happy Monday!  Hope you all had a great weekend.  The cold returned to Maryland, which meant perfect reading weather… however, I’ve been sucked into Twin Peaks on Netflix so that’s my latest evening indulgence.  I did finish two books over the last few weeks though before I dove into that series.  Today I am sharing my book reports of The One I Left Behind by Jennifer McMahon and The Girls by Emma Cline.

I picked up The Girls earlier this month at the library after walking by it and recalling reading about it somewhere… I couldn’t recall what I read about it, but I took it off the shelf, read the synopsis and decided to give it a chance.  When I came home I texted my mother-in-law, an avid reader, to see if she’d read it.  She told me she had tried, but gave up.  Well, that didn’t give me much confidence, but I read on.

This novel was a national bestseller and loosely based on the story of Charles Manson.  I admit that I am always interested in the criminal mind and how it works, as well as how people allow themselves to be put into these situations.  One of my absolute all-time favorite shows is about a cult… The Following.  (Of course it also starred Kevin Bacon and I have a weird crush on him. Also, if you haven’t seen it, I believe it’s on Netflix now so check it out! It’s horrifically amazing.)  Anyhow, these stories typically draw me in.  The story is told by the now older middle aged Evie Boyd, who was an awkward teenage girl with not many friends, and parents on the cusp of divorce after her father’s blatant affair.  Feeling pretty lost, alone, and a little uncomfortable in her own skin, Evie sees a few girls who appear to be free spirited, lead by the magnetic and mysterious dark haired Suzanne.  Evie’s immediately intrigued by this young woman, and as luck would have it they run into each other a couple more times.  Suzanne and her friends, the girls, eventually bring Evie back to their camp, which is a broken down old home run and lead by the mysterious Russell.  At the time, Evie was intrigued and looking for some place to belong.  Fortunately for her, Evie is more of a fringe member of the cult, and when they commit a gruesome murderous act, she’s not present, though we do come to learn her role in that night later in the novel.  As an adult, she tells her story with a bit of regret and sorrow, but it’s clear that she struggles through life romantically, and doesn’t appear to be a strong woman.  The Girls tells the story of a young girl coming of age through the darkest of circumstances, and what it means to deal with such trauma as an adult.  While I found it to be an interesting read, I could only handle a little bit each evening and had a hard time relating to Evie.  In the end, I feel slightly indifferent about this book… I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it.  I kept reading because I just wanted to see Evie come out OK.

OK, now let’s head on to a book I devoured… it was SO good! The One I left Behind was written by Jennifer McMahon, whose books I have loved and shared before. (Read my review of The Winter People here and Night Sister here. I picked this one up at the library as well.  I like to just wander the aisles until something catches my eye, or google books I’ve loved to see things that are recommended if you like those.  I had googled, found something I wanted to look for, didn’t find it, but on a nearby shelf found The One I Left Behind and immediately remembered how much I loved McMahon’s writing style.  I jumped into this book right away, and finished it the very next day.  I was thankful for a cold day, the kids having friends over, and a cozy blanket and spot on my sofa to read.

The One I Left BehindPin

This book follows the story of Reggie as an awkward teen growing up with a dysfunctional family, drunk mother, and no father in 1985 in Massachusetts; and in the present time as Reggie has left home and become a prominent architect living in Vermont and struggling to commit in her relationship.  As the novel unfolds we meet Reggie’s childhood friends, learn about Reggie’s mother as a fierce but drunk mother who takes many lovers.  In 1985, a serial killer strikes their town, and is given the name Neptune.  Neptune chops off women’s hands, leaving them in a milk carton on the steps of the police station, and 4 days later their naked bodies turn up on display in town.  It’s clear that they’re not killed until the night they are left out, their wound has been treated well, and their last meal is a lobster dinner.  The last hand to be delivered to the station is that of Reggie’s mother.  However, her body never turns up.  Now, years later, her mother is found, alive and dying from cancer at a homeless shelter.  The years have damaged her mind, and it’s not clear how much, if anything, she remembers about her killer. Reggie returns home to help care for her mom, and Neprtune begins to strike again as the hand of one of Reggie’s childhood best friends turns up.  Reggie doesn’t trust the police to solve the case, and knows she has 4 days to find the killer.  If you love murderous mysteries, and dark novels (think Gillian Flynn), I highly recommend The One I Left Behind.

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I’ve got two other books out from the Library now, and need to get started on one of those now.  What are you reading?

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Comments

  1. Shelley | Crazy Wonderful says

    January 30, 2017 at 7:46 am

    Well, I’m creeped out 😀 I do wish I had more time to read, it’s been too long between books.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 7:51 am

      i aim to creep!

      Reply
  2. Emy says

    January 30, 2017 at 8:19 am

    I haven’t read either one of those. They book sound good. I love Jennifer McMahon.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:14 pm

      she is an awesome writer- her characters are unique and weird in a good way.

      Reply
  3. Heather says

    January 30, 2017 at 8:46 am

    I was so sad when they cancelled The Following! 🙁 I also felt the same way about “The Girls”..kind of indifferent but I wanted to finish it to see what happened to Evie. I haven’t read the other book, it might be too scary/creepy for me!!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      i know! i am glad i am not alone in my love of the following! 🙂 it was one of those shows chris and i could watch together.

      Reply
  4. Jenn says

    January 30, 2017 at 9:03 am

    Thanks for the Jennifer McMahon suggestion. I’ve added the suggested books to my reading list.
    Are you familiar with Goodreads? I love this site! https://www.goodreads.com/

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:13 pm

      YES! I love good reads!!! and i have not read a book by her that i haven’t like- hope you enjoy!

      Reply
  5. Shawn says

    January 30, 2017 at 10:20 am

    Ii agree, creepy, but I like McMahon’s books.
    I am reading The Nest.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:12 pm

      i will have to check that out- haven’t heard of it!

      Reply
  6. Kirby says

    January 30, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Okay, so The One I Left Behind sounds a little like the book I’m writing! (only there’s only one person missing/murdered). So I guess I’ll have to try it. Thanks for the recommendation!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 30, 2017 at 3:12 pm

      well now i can’t wait for your new book!!!

      Reply
  7. [email protected] says

    January 30, 2017 at 5:36 pm

    I just showed the book to Jarrid. That’s something he’d totally like to read.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 31, 2017 at 1:23 pm

      i hope he likes it!!!

      Reply
  8. Blair says

    January 31, 2017 at 12:26 pm

    I just finished The Girls as well and had a similar reaction, I would say 3 out of 5 stars. The story was interesting but in my opinion the writing style was distracting. Based on what you’re reading now I have a suggestion for you, it’s a book called Night Film by Marisha Pessl. This book, especially the beginning, is THRILLING and the way it incorporates website pages and police reports was something I hadn’t seen before. Definitely a book that I devoured in just a few days. I really like your book reviews, thanks for posting them!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      January 31, 2017 at 1:09 pm

      i am so glad you enjoy them! it keeps me reading, which i love! and yes– i agree with your thoughts on the girls. i am going to have to look into night film. the title alone is intriguing!

      Reply

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Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
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Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

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