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.

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.

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.

Mysterious / Suspenseful / Dark / Unnerving / Contemplative

- Emma Cline's The Guest was published in 2023 and quickly made it to several bestseller lists, highlighting her continued popularity since the success of her debut novel, The Girls.
- Before writing The Guest, Emma Cline wrote a short story titled "What Can You Do with a General," which was considered a thematic precursor to this novel, showcasing her interest in exploring complex interpersonal dynamics.
- The novel is set against a summery backdrop, effectively capturing the anticipation and languor of late summer, reminiscent of the atmospheric settings in some of her earlier works.

**Alex**  
The protagonist of the novel, a 22-year-old woman who has spent years in New York City, is trying to make her way by dating wealthy men and ends up in the Hamptons for the summer. She is staying with Simon, but her life is complicated by precarious relationships and her own actions.

**Dom**  
The primary antagonist, who is never seen but exerts influence through Alex's fear and memories. Alex is scared of Dom due to having stolen drugs and money from him.

**Simon**  
A wealthy older man with whom Alex is involved at the start of the novel. Their relationship is transactional, and he is unaware of Alex's background as a sex worker.

**Jack**  
A 17-year-old boy who meets Alex at the beach and becomes infatuated with her. He is dealing with his own personal issues and lives with his father in the Hamptons.

**Lori, Karen, Nicholas, and Max**  
A group of individuals who work for the wealthy and have the ability to see through Alex's façade. They hold various service roles and provide insights into the disparity between appearances and reality in the Hamptons.

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