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directorpurry's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Drug use, Child death, Body horror, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship
absolutechaos's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The synopsis of the book made me think it would be a mystery, but it’s more focused on our protagonist, Camille. It’s an examination of her childhood, patterns of self harm, and her fractured family dynamics. As a sucker for stories about generational trauma, I loved this aspect. Camille’s mother is a striking character and I enjoyed her presence in the book.
Honestly the reason this has three stars is that it personally isn’t for me. I didn’t enjoy the repeated descriptions of sexual assault of children. It had its place in the book, but wasn’t part of its core and so at times, it felt like the author was aiming for shock value more than anything. I personally would have preferred the book have a bit more restraint, as it’s throughout the whole book repeatedly and I think less could have been more here. But this isn’t my genre of choice and I get that a lot of people find this element compelling and raw.
Don’t read this book if you’re squeamish and if you have any major triggers, please check if the book has them. It does not hold back.
Graphic: Child abuse, Addiction, Misogyny, Self harm, Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Murder, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Drug use, Grief, and Sexism
isabellelle_11's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Alcohol, Body horror, Child abuse, Gore, Grief, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Vomit, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Mental illness, Murder, Misogyny, Sexual content, Self harm, and Chronic illness
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Alcoholism, Cursing, Classism, Lesbophobia, Adult/minor relationship, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Animal death, and Drug use
Minor: Suicide, Abandonment, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Body shaming, and Infertility
caitlin1066's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Drug use, Death, Murder, and Self harm
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Animal cruelty
gwynnfox's review against another edition
Graphic: Child death, Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, Child abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Torture, Incest, Mental illness, Murder, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Homophobia, Infertility, Kidnapping, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual violence, and Sexual content
lenadesouza's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I've read it all in three days.
I love my existence!
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Abandonment, Death, Sexual violence, Child death, Drug abuse, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Mental illness, Rape, and Sexual assault
ljtademy3's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Rape, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Adult/minor relationship and Incest
anushka_17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Alcoholism, Vomit, Violence, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Alcohol, Blood, Body horror, Body shaming, Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Torture, Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child abuse, and Child death
wkh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
With that being said, I did start reading this book knowing full well what I was getting into. However, I was a little perturbed by how dark the book seemed. I would have appreciated more emphasis on creating a better plot or more memorable characters. Instead, the macabre seemed to be the focus of the author.
I liked the plot and the story. I did not enjoy the writing style too much either - the writing seemed overly descriptive and there wasn't much of a plot besides the main character bouncing around town and having random conversations which might or might not yield any useful information. I can see why this book is hyped, but it just did not do it for me. Decent book, but I am not sure if I will be reading any more from Gillian Flynn.
Graphic: Cursing, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Rape, Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Addiction, Violence, Child death, Domestic abuse, and Self harm
aexileigh's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Self harm, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Sexual assault, Rape, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Incest, Grief, Emotional abuse, Eating disorder, Drug use, Death, Child death, Addiction, and Adult/minor relationship