Book Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart
Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.
NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg
Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.
HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle
As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

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Gillian Flynn has NEVER failed to disappoint me with a book, I have now read all three of her novels and they are all simply amazing . Was “Sharp Objects” amazing too? Yes. Is it my favorite of her books? No. That, however, does not mean it is any less impressive than “Dark Places” or “Gone Girl”. If you are a fan of Flynn’s too, then you will find this book to be as appealing as both of her others.

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What You’ll Love: 

• A mystery that you won’t be able to guess right until it’s revealed at the end of the book.
• Complex characters with secrets to hide and deep psychological problems.
• A plot that grabs your full attention and keeps the twists coming.
• Women being the major players.

Things That May Not Be Your Cup of Tea: 

• Graphic violence, abuse, drug use, etc.
• The pacing could be considered slow to some people.
• The mystery is not solved until the very, VERY end of the book.

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The Writing: 

It’s haunting, creepy, atmospheric, and thrilling. Flynn captures your attention as well as your imagination and doesn’t let go until you’ve finished reading. It is also very descriptive in all of the right ways, you get every insight imaginable. You’ll get creeped out and uncomfortable but it will be worth it, trust me.

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The Plot: 

Absolutely twisted and thrilling, this book’s plot was flawless in my eyes. You will not see these twists coming either, Flynn is a master of taking your attention away from certain details even though she does give them to you. That’s why you never see it coming. It’s also ALL about nasty women, you think men are the problem? Think again, not in this story. The plot revolves around reporter Camille Preaker as she returns to her hometown to write about the killings of two young girls, if that doesn’t pique your interest I don’t know what will. I would NOT read this if you are squeamish or in any way easily unsettled because with “Sharp Objects” you are in for a nasty piece of work. Nasty and unsettling in every way and still undoubtedly perfection. Once you finish you will be thinking “What the fuck did I just read” I guarantee it, I know I did.

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The Characters: 

Oh yes, the characters are the best part of any psychological thriller but ESPECIALLY one of Gillian Flynn’s. They are deeply complex, twisted, and as I said before nasty. We don’t get to just explored their minds though, oh no, we get to explore their problems and man do these ladies have problems. You could get introduced to a character you see one time in the story and still get that feeling of knowing their every secret. “Sharp Objects” is definitely a study into the dark side of human nature. Camille is not a shining protagonist of perfection, no she is seriously messed up but then again….so is everyone else. You can’t trust anyone.

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“Sharp Objects” is overall a very dark and thrilling ride, I highly HIGHLY recommend reading it Although it isn’t the most comfortable of reads, so consider yourselves warned!

Links: Goodreads / Amazon