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A review by lignjahal
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
4.5/5.0
I decided to listen to the audiobook alongside watching the miniseries, which was a fun experience for someone rewatching the series.
I found the miniseries to be one of those rare adaptations that is better than the novel and improves the novel with its changes. That doesn’t mean that the novel was not good or unenjoyable, just that I think the extension of time and the passage of time since the novel’s release, have made it possible for the book to be improved.
As ever, Flynn’s prose is fantastic and I love how she writes female characters as unabashedly real, instead of the ridiculous version of “likable” that she has pushed against. Her writing style is really good at reflecting on trauma and the female experience of it, which is something I needed to read right now.
The only ding to the score comes from the writing of Amma, who’s pattern of behaviors in the book make her a more obvious bad seed than the version in the miniseries (which I obviously prefer better).
I decided to listen to the audiobook alongside watching the miniseries, which was a fun experience for someone rewatching the series.
I found the miniseries to be one of those rare adaptations that is better than the novel and improves the novel with its changes. That doesn’t mean that the novel was not good or unenjoyable, just that I think the extension of time and the passage of time since the novel’s release, have made it possible for the book to be improved.
As ever, Flynn’s prose is fantastic and I love how she writes female characters as unabashedly real, instead of the ridiculous version of “likable” that she has pushed against. Her writing style is really good at reflecting on trauma and the female experience of it, which is something I needed to read right now.
The only ding to the score comes from the writing of Amma, who’s pattern of behaviors in the book make her a more obvious bad seed than the version in the miniseries (which I obviously prefer better).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism