Reviews tagging Drug use

Sharp Objects, by Gillian Flynn

168 reviews

danielakalexandra's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I second what another review said that the writing truly makes the small town a character of its own. 

I almost wanted more of the family dynamic to be the focus, even if it definitely is a big part of the story. I would have enjoyed more history of the family members, a deeper look at what made them who they had become. But on the other hand, the feeling of being a bit kept in the dark also helps with the weird and distant family dynamic pictured.  

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child abuse, Animal death, Mental illness, Medical trauma, Grief, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Sexual assault, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Child death, Vomit, Self harm, Murder, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Animal cruelty, and Alcohol

tiffanysmith's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This novel is about Camille, a reporter from Chicago who is assigned to a murder case in her hometown of Wind Gap. As she investigates the case and reconnects with her family whom she hasn't spoken with in years, she finds more beneath the surface than she could have ever bargained for. I read this on a whim, never before having picked up a Gillian Flynn book. I didn't expect it to be so dark and psychological. The writing was fantastic, with a buildup to an unexpected twist. The character building was quite complex, peeling away the onion layers of Camille's past and how it affected her present. The only qualm I have is that the first half was a little slow to the hook. I personally thought the plot revolved more around the investigation, but once I discovered that it was so much more, the book captured my full attention. I'll admit, this read gave me some anxiety because it's dark. As the reader, you have to navigate Camille's emotions and thoughts with her, with a tendency toward the darker side of humanity. Some of the characters made me feel so uncomfortable and strange, and as you read on, you find that there is such a wild explanation for it all.  

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Body shaming, Child death, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Sexual content, and Murder

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Self harm

Well written, but descriptive. I would recommend a trigger warning for this read. The main character has cut herself extensively in the past and has urges to do so throughout the book. There is also quite a bit of alcohol, drugs, and sex as Camille navigates her emotions and relationships throughout the book.

mabelsyrup's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Self harm

Minor: Murder, Suicide, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual harassment

reedytoeat's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Self harm, Child abuse, and Drug use

ahopper7's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Body horror, Death, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Alcohol, Murder, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Child death, Rape, Addiction, Self harm, Sexual content, Blood, Chronic illness, and Mental illness

Moderate: Drug use, Cursing, Bullying, and Injury/injury detail

Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Homophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, Animal death, Medical content, Animal cruelty, Eating disorder, Misogyny, and Pregnancy

natrix's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm

Moderate: Rape, Vomit, Blood, Child death, Gore, Child abuse, Drug use, and Emotional abuse

kyahs's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A great story covering some important issues. I might have guessed the plot, but only due to being a psychologist. It was a page turner that made me lose sleep! Torn between 4.5, 4.75 and 5 starts. As I can't think how it could have been better...

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Drug use, Body shaming, Alcoholism, Torture, Vomit, Child death, Child abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual violence, Self harm, Murder, Gaslighting, and Emotional abuse

Minor: Sexual content

drizzlybear's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I CAN FIX HER
thought i was gonna have to read something very comforting soon after this to wash the aftertaste out of my mind but it ended much happier than i’d been dreading

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Torture, Sexual violence, Self harm, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Sexual content, Medical content, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Alcoholism, Vomit, Drug abuse, and Child death

Minor: Animal cruelty and Animal death

sophia66201's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical trauma, Grief, Mental illness, Child death, Injury/injury detail, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, and Self harm

Moderate: Death, Drug use, Medical content, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Body shaming, and Sexual assault

netsreik's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Murder, Kidnapping, Injury/injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Child death, Child abuse, Bullying, Alcoholism, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Sexual violence, and Self harm