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A review by milliad
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
3.75
Wow.
Firstly, I was drawn to this book because I love the movie of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and so I wanted to dive into her writing as well. Flynn is obviously an incredibly talented author.
This book made me feel physically repulsed during multiple instances. None of the characters bar Eileen and Curry are good (and those two are the best!) people, all a bit flawed and messed up in some way. And this follows through with their decisions, which are often morally and ethically reprehensible. Flynn succeeded in making me feel repulsed and shocked, which I feel is truly a testament to her prose.
Mostly I found Camille, the main character, to have absolutely vile and twisted views on what is considered acceptable behaviour and even what is sexual assault and what isn’t - but I acknowledge this as her characterisation stemming from her childhood, in which case it is well done. She is truly an unlikeable protagonist in many aspects.
You can definitely guess and suspect the murderer from around halfway through the book, but even so I found myself enthralled in the mystery and still shocked at the twist ending.
I won’t be keeping this book in my collection - partially because I have too many, but also partially because I wouldn’t read it again. It was excellent and I’m glad I read it, but it’s a story dark enough to only read once, personally.
Firstly, I was drawn to this book because I love the movie of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, and so I wanted to dive into her writing as well. Flynn is obviously an incredibly talented author.
This book made me feel physically repulsed during multiple instances. None of the characters bar Eileen and Curry are good (and those two are the best!) people, all a bit flawed and messed up in some way. And this follows through with their decisions, which are often morally and ethically reprehensible. Flynn succeeded in making me feel repulsed and shocked, which I feel is truly a testament to her prose.
Mostly I found Camille, the main character, to have absolutely vile and twisted views on what is considered acceptable behaviour and even what is sexual assault and what isn’t - but I acknowledge this as her characterisation stemming from her childhood, in which case it is well done. She is truly an unlikeable protagonist in many aspects.
You can definitely guess and suspect the murderer from around halfway through the book, but even so I found myself enthralled in the mystery and still shocked at the twist ending.
I won’t be keeping this book in my collection - partially because I have too many, but also partially because I wouldn’t read it again. It was excellent and I’m glad I read it, but it’s a story dark enough to only read once, personally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Sexual assault, and Sexual content