With the Sharp Objects TV series coming next month, to maintain the natural order of things, I had to read the book.
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.
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
Great review Janel. I read this book ages ago and strikingly to remember it, I’m looking forward to the tv drama though.
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Thanks Kerrie. The trailer looks so good, and Amy Adams is a great pick to play Camille.
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Excellent review Janel. I loved all her books, she’s really my kind of author. I especially like the dark, slightly depressing atmosphere in each of her novels. I can’t wait to see how this translates into the tv series!
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Thank you. Yes, you’re spot on about all her books being dark with a slightly depressing atmosphere – I hope she’s writing something new!
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I’ve been waiting a few years already… I hope something new is coming because it would be a shame such a talented writer would not share that talent with us readers !
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I read this years ago and can’t remember a thing about it. The show looks good, I didn’t even know that was happening and now I’m really looking forward to it 🙂 Great review!
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Thank you, I’m excited for the TV adaption too. And I don’t believe it, you reading fiction, haha!
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Hahaha believe it!!! Pre-2010ish it was the majority of what I read!
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Sadly, I never read book by Gillian Flynn. I watched Gone Girl movie last year and after watching it I wished if I have waited to read book first. But I will surely get this book first. Great review! 🙂
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Thank you. Yeah, I always recommend reading the book before watching the movie, but the Gone Girl movie was very good! 🙂
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Great review! I’m really excited for the show. Sharp Objects is the only book by Flynn that I’ve actually really enjoyed.
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The trailer looks so good and Amy Adams is a great pick to play Camille!
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Awesome review ❤
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Thank you!x
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Oh this sounds good. I will have to give it a go!
Great review!
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Thank you! I hope you enjoy it, when you get around to it. 🙂
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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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Awh, I’m so glad you liked my review. I’m not sure if she is working on a new book, but I hope so! 🙂
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Fab review! I didn’t even know there was going to be a TV show!!! I will totally be watching it lol
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Thank you. I think it’s starting July 8th 🙂
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Watching the trailer has made me want to read the book, I’ve only read Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn and that was a good few years ago now. Great review!
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Thank you. I definitely recommend reading this one, then you’ll be all set to watch the TV adaptation! 🙂
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Great review! I actually liked this a smidge better than Gone Girl, and I can’t wait for the tv series!
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Thank you! I’m excited for the TV series too, Amy Adams was a good pick to play Camille
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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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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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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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Thank you! After watching the trailer, I think I’m going to end up like the TV series better than the book!
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Janel I read “Sharp Objects’ quite a few years ago – before the fame of ‘Gone Girl’. I remember I really enjoyed it and plan to watch the television show. Great review♥
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Thank you. I’m excited for the TV adaptation, I have a sneaking suspicion I may like it even more than the book!
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Lovely review, Janel!! I really enjoyed this book…I love how dark Flynn’s books are and am so looking forward to the tv series!
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Thank you! Yes, all her books are incredibly dark, I hope we get another book from her soon! Not long till the TV series starts – July 8th I believe 🙂
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You’re welcome! Yes, they are and I love dark, lol. Me too! It’s time. I know! I’m going to record it and watch it in 1 sitting!
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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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Thanks. I have a feeling it will exceed expectation, I’ll be so disappointed if it doesn’t, haha!
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Great review! I had no idea that the series was coming out, now I’m excited!
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Thank you. It’s coming soon, July 8th I believe 🙂
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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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I liked The Grownup too! The series is scheduled to start July 8th and I’m so excited, the book is definitely worth a read and then you can catch up on the series 🙂
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Eeek, I’ll add it to the TBR!! 😂
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I loved this book and cannot wait to watch the series!
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Me too, the trailer looks so good!
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I’m looking forward to the mini series too, I read the books years ago and enjoyed it
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Not long till it starts now, and I like Amy Adams for the role of Camille 🙂
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I gave up the audiobook halfway through. I so wanted to like it.
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The narrator? Or you weren’t a fan of the plot?
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