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3.55 AVERAGE
3.55 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Had I realized this was a short story before I started it, I wouldn't have bothered. I'm not a fan of short stories because it often feels like just as you're really starting to get into it, it's over. This really could've been a great story because it's one of those that really messes with your head. I would've like to have seen a longer version with even more twists and turns.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a short story by the one-and-only Gillian Flynn, and like her other widely popular books, it introduces themes of shocking violence, disturbing psychological illness, and a strong-willed female protagonist. The story opens with the narrator, a sex worker, recounting the 23,547 hand jobs she has given in the past three years, until she is finally promoted to the front of the "clinic," where she now works as a fake psychic. She keeps a few of her favorite clients, though, including one unique man who always brought her interesting books.
Working as a psychic, the protagonist meets Susan Burke, who invites her to her Victorian mansion, the air of which is thick with tension and negative energy. Susan's stepson is highly disturbing, but after repeated visits to the house, the narrator no longer knows who she can trust. Is this a case of a haunted house that forces its inhabitants to carry out the gruesome actions of those who lived (and died) here before them? Is it a case of a disturbed and deranged stepchild, desperate for attention? Or is it a case of a greedy and manipulative wife who goes ballistic when her perfect little world begins to crumble, and sees a problem that needs to be eliminated? Who, exactly, is the intelligent mastermind behind it all?
I would have liked more resolution at the end, but I guess that's Flynn's style! It was interesting that the protagonist did not maintain total control of the situation, and we never really find out if she became a victim in the end. Like Flynn's other books, this story will keep you up thinking about it, and wondering what ever happened to that nice fake psychic and that odd little boy...
Working as a psychic, the protagonist meets Susan Burke, who invites her to her Victorian mansion, the air of which is thick with tension and negative energy. Susan's stepson is highly disturbing, but after repeated visits to the house, the narrator no longer knows who she can trust. Is this a case of a haunted house that forces its inhabitants to carry out the gruesome actions of those who lived (and died) here before them? Is it a case of a disturbed and deranged stepchild, desperate for attention? Or is it a case of a greedy and manipulative wife who goes ballistic when her perfect little world begins to crumble, and sees a problem that needs to be eliminated? Who, exactly, is the intelligent mastermind behind it all?
I would have liked more resolution at the end, but I guess that's Flynn's style! It was interesting that the protagonist did not maintain total control of the situation, and we never really find out if she became a victim in the end. Like Flynn's other books, this story will keep you up thinking about it, and wondering what ever happened to that nice fake psychic and that odd little boy...
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
Meh, this was my second Gillian Flynn book, and it might be my last. I do have 'Dark Places' on my shelf, so if it's worth it, let me know, and if it's not, I'll sack it off.
The opening line* to this was brilliant, and it made me laugh. It started off well but just went downhill. Then ending was weird.
I also didn't like that it was just one long chapter. I know it's a short book at 67 pages, but I still feel like it could have had chapters. But maybe that's just a me thing.
*Opening line - 'I didn't stop giving hand jobs because I wasn't good at it. I stopped giving hand jobs because I was the best at it'
The opening line* to this was brilliant, and it made me laugh. It started off well but just went downhill. Then ending was weird.
I also didn't like that it was just one long chapter. I know it's a short book at 67 pages, but I still feel like it could have had chapters. But maybe that's just a me thing.
*Opening line - 'I didn't stop giving hand jobs because I wasn't good at it. I stopped giving hand jobs because I was the best at it'
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The Grownup by Gillian Flynn was a twisty, fun experience — even if it left me feeling a little whiplashed. I enjoyed the short, strange ride!
A short yet suspense building story with the characteristic twist towards the end as expected by Flynn. Would recommend on account that it is so short that it is worth the read.