The Girls by Ammy Goldman Koss

I've been reading a lot of larger novels recently for I am reading three at this time. So I wanted to start a smaller novel, though I picked a random novel off my shelf it has already surpassed what I thought the writing is capable of. The Girls, is a short 121 pg. novel which I have fallen deep into its grasps, for this novel is so realistic, it might as well be based upon a true story. This novel is written of a dramatic aspect of a friendship breaking up. The novel runs in chronological order and the chapters are of each characters perspective at a time. So we get a close of view of each character in 1st person.

When in Renee's perspective, who is the shy-quiet one of the group who is scared to speak up, we learn her feelings and thought of the other girls. "It was almost as if Candace were the queen, condemning Maya to death, and Darcy was the once who carried out the order. The executioner- an executioner who loved her work...Was Brianna one of those people who in the old days went to the executions to cheer and have a big party?... Maybe I didn’t cheer, but I didn’t do anything to stop it either. And there was Maya, all alone, up on the gallows." (Koss, 43-44) When we could characterize the girls ourselves, Renée does so for us by stating in her view point what she believes each person would be and also creates a story like setting of which we can view how each character reacts with the others. Candace is the ring leader of the group, giving all the commands and punishment which all must follow, just like a queen. When we have her dog, her servant for life, Darcy would do anything to get Candace's attention and to be in the good spotlight of her praise, even cut Maya out of the group. Then Renée put her and Brianna as the followers, as when Brianna celebrates all of Candace's and Darcy's accomplishments, and goes all the way. When Renée thinks of herself as the one that finds things bad happening but won’t stick up for the one being punished cruelly for no reason. And Maya the victim of the queen, who has done nothing wrong and is excluded, as far as we know she has done nothing wrong at least.

Renée goes on to explain how they must be praised by Candace to stay in this group like; a queen can banish subjects from her land. “Everyone laughed, especially Darcy. We always, always laughed, no matter what. I didn’t know how everyone else felt about Candace’s games, but I thought they were tests, like walking on hot coals or something, to prove how tough we were.” (Koss, 28) These girls are like puppets on Candace’s stings, meant for her entertainment. 

I believe that since Renée has noticed her flaws she will try to speak up for Maya but fail because she will be either over powered or too scared to finish. Maybe this thought will spread to the other girls and they will realize what happened or Renee will leave to comfort Maya. I will just have to keep reading to find out.


A quick view of The Girls on a libary perspective, with a person to person connection and back of the book summary.
Libary Page for The Girls

The GoodReads page for The Girls
GoodReads