Breaking Down Book #1 of The Clique Series
LFG! (Let’s F-ing Gossip!)
The only thing harder than getting in is staying in.
Take a minute and let that tagline sink in. Notice it did not read: The only thing harder for Claire than getting in, is staying in. Why? It’s clunky. But mainly because no one in the Pretty Committee was safe. Not even their queen. As a result, insecurity ran rampant.
Which Clique character was the most insecure in book #1 and why? (Extra points if you give an example).
When you first read The Clique, did you sense that the characters’ cruelty was motivated by insecurity? Or did you think they were just a pack of born-this-way savages?
LFG! (Let’s F-ing Gossip!)
*Sorry for spelling it out ah-gain. We just want to make sure it catches on.🤞
xoxo Lisi & Ellen
1. In the first book, it’s a tough call between Massie and Claire being more insecure but I’d have to go with Massie. I think the more you dislike yourself, that dislike/animosity tends to spread towards others. There are a few exceptions but for the most part, Claire was still kind.
2. Stemming from my first comment, the cruelty was absolutely ruled by insecurity. Like those exceptions for Claire that I mentioned- the only time she was ever remotely mean, it was her trying to prove herself to herself (as well as to the others).
I will say though, Massie was spitting venom from the very beginning. It was literally on site for her! I don’t think she was insecure about Claire… at first. So while I do think she trained herself to be the ultimate mean girl, her behavior really amped up when she started seeing Claire as competition.
1. I honestly think that Massie is more insecure than Claire in book 1. Claire feels comfortable and secure in her skin until meeting Massie and realizing Massie doesn’t like her. Claire rocks her keds, overalls, and enjoys her gummies without a care in the world until Massie points out her flaws and makes fun of Claire for it, causing some insecurity. Massie seems to have it all and the duality of her character is her outward confidence with her inward insecurities.
2. Now I see the PC’s meanness as insecurity but as a kid I thought they were just bad bitches without a care in the world and were just that “it” they really seemed to have it all and at times I found myself “jealous” of the confidence and things the PC had. Reading it through the adult lens, we see that they all have something to hide, something they aren’t secure about, and act confident to hide everything hidden inside.