The Burning Girl

By: Claire Messud

Narrated by: Morgan Hallett

A bracing, hypnotic, coming-of-age story about the bond of best friends, from the New York Times best-selling author of The Emperor's Children.

Julia and Cassie have been friends since nursery school. They have shared everything, including their desire to escape the stifling limitations of their birthplace, the quiet town of Royston, Massachusetts. But as the two girls enter adolescence, their paths diverge and Cassie sets out on a journey that will put her life in danger and shatter her oldest friendship.

Claire Messud, one of our finest novelists, is as accomplished at weaving a compelling fictional world as she is at asking the big questions: To what extent can we know ourselves and others? What are the stories we create to comprehend our lives and relationships? Brilliantly mixing fable and coming-of-age tale, The Burning Girl gets to the heart of these matters in an absolutely irresistible way.

©2017 Claire Messud (P)2017 Recorded Books

Meesud is a brilliant wordsmith but her storyline is too weak to support the complexity of the narrative.

Beautifully constructed prose, carefully crafted characters but a weak plot.
The first person narrative with hints of tragedy to come doesn’t live up to expectations. With the exception of one unexpectedly deserving character ( and his dog), the characters don’t get to act out their possible parts in the drama. Left a feeling of something missing.

To what extent can we really know another?

The book explores the world of girls coming of age. It is honest in its exploration of the layers that females grow for protection and survival.

I loved everything about this book

A noticeably different offering from Messud that was in every way as good as her best. A excellent job narrating by Morgan Hallett as well.

Not Very Captivating

I struggled to finish this book. There were several moments that sparked a curiosity within me, then the glimpse of an almost-intriguing plot would pass and I was left uninterested again. There were some moments that mildly captured my curiosity, but at no point was I impassioned. The climax to this book was lacking, and the performance was less than captivating. I wouldn't recommend.

Great story of two friends coming of age and then losing each other.

This tale is tender and heartbreaking and wise. Talented author and skilled narrator (although I had to dial her speedy talk down to .9) strongly recommended.