The Burning Girl
The Burning Girl
Book Brief
256
Novel • Fiction
Massachusetts • Contemporary
2017
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
The Burning Girl by Claire Messud explores the evolving friendship of Cassie and Julia as they navigate adolescence in the small town of Royston, Massachusetts. Their initial closeness dissolves as they grapple with growing pressures and personal differences. Cassie faces traumatic family events and embarks on a journey to find her presumed-deceased father. The novel sensitively addresses themes of sexual abuse and emotional neglect.
Contemplative
Mysterious
Bittersweet
Melancholic
Reviews & Readership
14,621 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Claire Messud's The Burning Girl is praised for its lyrical prose and deep exploration of adolescent friendship. Critics highlight its emotional depth and complex characters as strengths. However, some find the pacing slow and the narrative lacking in substantial plot developments. Overall, it's a poignant coming-of-age story with mesmerizing writing.
Who Should Read The Burning Girl?
Readers who relish poignant explorations of female friendship and coming-of-age narratives will enjoy Claire Messud's The Burning Girl. Comparable to Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan Novels and Toni Morrison's Sula, this book appeals to those who appreciate introspective, character-driven stories about the complexities of identity and growth.
14,621 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
The Burning Girl by Claire Messud was named a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize in the fiction category in 2017.
The novel explores themes of childhood friendship and the transitions into adolescence, which were inspired by Messud's interests in the complexities of female relationships and identity.
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256
Novel • Fiction
Massachusetts • Contemporary
2017
Adult
18+ years
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