American Library in Paris Book Group
Girls in Cultish Fiction
Tuesdays, 19h00–20h30 (Spaces Open)
Even if we live in a secular society, spirituality is on the rise focusing on the individual. In literature, many novels tell the story of being in a cultish environment but from the point of view of young girls instead of the charismatic leader. Our club will focus on reading mostly fictional works picturing young girls in spiritual journeys, experiencing influence as well as agency. We will discuss the ideas of experience through deconstructed narratives, intimacy within a coercive group and vulnerability in the process of storytelling. Most of the books that we will be reading are debut novels thus questioning the personal part that the authors infused in their works. We will be reading a wide array of literary genres such as Bildungsroman, memoirs, SF, non-fiction, pseudo-historical novels, romance … Join us!
Led by Victoria Robert
Reading List
- Cultish by Amanda Montell
- The Ash Family by Molly Dektar
- Godshot by Chelsea Bieker
- The Girls by Emma Cline
- The Lightness by Emily Temple
- The Incendiaries by R.O Kwon
- Educated by Tara Westover
- Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon
- Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley
Meeting Dates
- 1 October
- 5 November
- 3 December
- 7 January 2025
- 4 February
- 4 March
- 1 April
- 6 May
- 3 June