The Mountain Lion (Faber Editions): 'I love this novel' Patricia Lockwood

Siblings Ralph and Molly are sent to their uncle's Colorado mountain ranch, where they experience dark stirrings of sexual desire and an irrevocable rift between them. This novel is considered one of the best novels about adolescence in American literature.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 03 August 2023
Publisher: Faber & Faber

Introduction:

"The Wild Girls" is a novel that delves into the lives of two siblings, Ralph and Molly, as they navigate their way through adolescence in a mountainous wilderness. Introduced by Hilton Als, this novel has been recognized as one of the best works of American literature that explores the complexities of adolescence.

The Novel:

"The Wild Girls" is a strange and angry novel that delves into the lives of two siblings, Ralph and Molly, as they come of age in a mountainous wilderness. The novel is set in the early 1960s, during a time when society was undergoing significant changes, and the children are caught in the middle of it.

Ralph and Molly are inseparable siblings, united against the stupidity of daily routines, their prim mother, and their prissy older sisters. They are sent from their childhood home in suburban Los Angeles to their uncle's Colorado mountain ranch during the summer, where they are expected to write, hunt, and roam. However, this untamed wilderness soon becomes tainted by dark stirrings of sexual desire, as the pressures of growing up drive an irrevocable rift between them.

As the novel progresses, Ralph and Molly's innocent childhoods hurtle towards a devastating end. They are exposed to the harsh realities of adulthood, including sexual abuse, violence, and drug addiction. The siblings are forced to confront their own demons and make difficult choices that will shape their lives forever.

"The Wild Girls" is a powerful and emotional novel that explores the complexities of adolescence, family relationships, and the search for identity. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of sisterhood.

Critical Reception:

"The Wild Girls" has received widespread critical acclaim since its publication. The novel has been praised for its raw and honest portrayal of adolescence, its vivid and evocative writing, and its exploration of themes that are still relevant today.

Lauren Groff, a prominent literary critic, described the novel as "one of the strangest and angriest novels of the twentieth century." She praised the author's ability to create a vivid and realistic world that is both terrifying and heartbreaking.

Olivia Laing, another renowned critic, described the novel as "an extraordinary, savage novel." She praised the author's ability to capture the raw emotions and experiences of adolescence, and her exploration of the complexities of female relationships.

Patricia Lockwood, a novelist herself, praised the novel as "she would not feel safe until the beautiful animal was dead." She praised the author's ability to create a complex and nuanced character, and her exploration of the themes of power, gender, and identity.

Rumaan Alam, a journalist and critic, described the novel as "breathtakingly original." He praised the author's ability to create a unique and compelling narrative that is both literary and contemporary.

Tessa Hadley, a novelist and critic, described the novel as "a brilliant achievement [to] set beside Carson McCullers's masterwork, The Member of the Wedding." She praised the author's ability to create a complex and nuanced character, and her exploration of the themes of power, gender, and identity.

In conclusion, "The Wild Girls" is a remarkable novel that delves into the lives of two siblings as they navigate their way through adolescence in a mountainous wilderness. The novel has received widespread critical acclaim for its raw and honest portrayal of adolescence, its vivid and evocative writing, and its exploration of themes that are still relevant today. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the strength of sisterhood.

Weight: 236g
Dimension: 197 x 130 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780571368174
Edition number: Main