A review by emilynied
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This story is absolutely crazy and Flynn crafts an uncanny and eerie tone throughout the book which makes this story so captivating. The general mood of the novel is created from its characters, world and mysterious plot straight from the start. We have our protagonist, Camille Preaker, returning to her hometown of Wind Gap as a now big-city journalist covering a series of missing preteen girls and their consequent murders. She's a fractured character from the start, and as she gets caught up in the town and its inhabitants once more, her backstory is unraveled to reveal her own preteen sisters death decades ago and her history of self harm, which is grimly explored through the words she's carved into her body over the years. 

We also meet Camille's mother, who she impassively calls by her first name, Adora, and Camille's half-sister (also a preteen), Amma. As she is wrapped up in the psychological darkness of her family and their history once more, the plot thickens along with the mystery. The ending is shocking (like jaw-dropping dreadful) to say the least, and just when you think you've figured it out, Flynn hits you again with another bombshell. I watched the television show right after finishing the book and would also highly recommend. Both stories were gripping and I'm still thinking about their endings a week after finishing. I would, however, caution any readers - this book is extremely dark. Please check trigger warnings before reading!
Expand filter menu Content Warnings