Book Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

~ Janel (Keeper of Pages)

Sharp Objects - Gillian Flynn

With the Sharp Objects TV series coming next month, to maintain the natural order of things, I had to read the book.

bookdescription

Some scars never heal . . . An addictive thriller from the author of the mega bestseller GONE GIRL.

When two girls are abducted and killed in Missouri, journalist Camille Preaker is sent back to her home town to report on the crimes.

Long-haunted by a childhood tragedy and estranged from her mother for years, Camille suddenly finds herself installed once again in her family’s mansion, reacquainting herself with her distant mother and the half-sister she barely knows – a precocious 13-year-old who holds a disquieting grip on the town.

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.

mythoughts

Surely the name ‘Gillian Flynn’ is now synonymous with ‘unlikeable characters’, because she is the queen of writing them. Sharp Objects is full of unlikeable characters, in this debut novel, Flynn has created some really disturbing characters, so disturbing you’re grateful for all the loving family members you have. If you want to see some family dynamics that will leave you unsettled, read this book!

The twists in this novel are not wholly unpredictable, which is an odd thing to say since I didn’t figure them out, but I wasn’t that far off. However, they’re good twists, concluding with a good ending, one that makes sense. But more than the twists and the plot, this novel is all about the characters. In a book filled with unlikeable characters, I did like Camille, there’s no doubt she’s a complex character with complex issues but when you read about the family she comes from, it all makes perfect sense. Yes, she made several decisions I didn’t agree with and did several things I didn’t approve of, but in comparison to some of the other characters, she was the most likeable, if only because she realised how messed up things were. She made for a very good main protagonist.

Sharp Objects is very much a character-driven tale, psychologically dark and disturbing, a book that quietly unsettles you. In my ranking of Gillian Flynn books, I place Sharp Objects above Dark Places (which I didn’t even finish, it was that bad) and below Gone Girl (which I really enjoyed). I have absolutely no reservations recommending Sharp Objects and I think it will appeal in particular to those who have enjoyed Flynn’s other books, and/or those who enjoy seeing the toxic dynamics within a family.

I’ll leave you with the trailer for the TV series – it looks fricking awesome!

The book is available to buy now from: Amazon UK / Book Depository

Published by Janel (Keeper of Pages)

Blogging about books and other bookish ramblings

48 thoughts on “Book Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn”

  8. Thank you for the great review! I love Gillian Flynn’s books, she truly takes us to some “dark places.” Looking forward to the TV series. Anyone know if she’s got a new book in the works?

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  12. I read this ohh probably close to 10 years ago now and I remember two things. Whodunnit and feeling mildly sick over something to do with a pig?
    I know I preferred it to Gone Girl so will def watch the show.

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    1. I’m curious to know if Flynn is writing something new, I feel like we’re due a new dark and disturbing psych thriller from her, lol. Not long till the show now, I’m excited!

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  13. Fantastic review, Janel! I read this book a couple years ago, and your review helped me re-visit it- and just in time for the show (which I didn’t know about, so thanks for that, too. 😊) I know what I’ll be watching next month!

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  17. I read this book a few years ago and when i heard there will be a series i was really excited.
    Awesome review, and let’s hope the tv version lives up to our expectations 😀

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  20. I loved GG and I also liked DP and I absolutely loved her short story The Grownup (it was genius!) This is the only one of hers I’ve not read yet and this sounds like I need to rectify that. (Didn’t realise there was a TV series coming.) Great review.x

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