Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

This book is not classified as YA. It is an adult novel.

Sharp Objects

by Gillian Flynn 

WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart

Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.

NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg 

Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.

HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle 

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.

With its taut, crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable.

In short: Interesting read. A bit more predictable than Gone Girl for me. I would be in shock otherwise. An interesting thriller that keeps you interested till the end.Not as good as Gone Girl.

My Thoughts :
Gillian Flynn writes real characters. These characters are unlikeable and flawed. These characters make your skin crawl and you never love any of them. You might have a favourite depending on your taste.

Sharp Objects is disturbing not because it is a bad book but because it's characters are just so real and need therapy. I read this book after Gone Girl so I will be comparing it to that book. You have been suitably warned.

So far I have come to realize that I enjoy Gillian's books because of their plot. The more unpredictable the plot is the better. I never especially like any of her characters but that is after all not her aim.

Sharp Objects starts off well. The murder mystery pulls you in.If you love your family,the characters of this book will make you want to hug your loved ones in gratitude.The book explores family life. Especially the relationship between a mother and her daughters.It also explores the various other familial relationships and shows the dark side of domestic life (like Gone Girl but different as it explores domestic familial and not married life)

The climax of the murder mystery and the big reveal was disappointing. There was no major twist(in my opinion). I managed to predict almost everything but that might be because I was very good at picking up all of the various clues put forward by the author.

I just didn't enjoy this book as much as Gone Girl. The only character we get a real insight into is the protagonist.The pacing was not that good but the author manages to keep you hooked till the end.

Overall, Try reading Gone Girl first. If you really like twisted realistic stories try this one.It's got interesting flawed characters and a decent mystery.

My Rating: 

Toss up between 2.5 and 3