Reviews tagging 'Alcoholism'

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

595 reviews

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This is the first of Flynn's books that I've read, and it's the first of her books to be published. It was good, I just wasn't able to emotionally connect to the characters for some reason. In general, the mystery kept me interested more than the characters. To me, this book reminded me of Stephen King and Shirley Jackson, but it didn't have whatever secret sauce Jackson and King have that pushes the writing and the characters into top-tier. That disconnect makes some of the "disturbing small town details" come off a little forced, despite the fact that I'm well aware of and familiar with disturbing small-town details. I find them believable, but they're missing... something... that integrates them fully into the story; so instead, IMHO, they give a Hostel-style "violence for violence's sake" vibe.

I have a couple more of Flynn's books on hold from the library, so it will be interesting to see how she grows as a writer and if she can clear whatever this je ne sais quoi hurdle is.

Also, this isn't a real make-or-break thing, but how flexible is Camille
that there's only one spot on her back missing the words? How good at writing backwards while looking in a mirror can she be?
 

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dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

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I don't have an issue with dark subject matter. In fact, I tend to be drawn to media with fucked up plots and traumatized characters, but this was just ridiculous. There was such an overwhelming amount of horrible shit occurring on every page... and for what? I truly don't think Flynn has a single idea what the point of it all was. I could have enjoyed myself if I believed Flynn was trying to say literally anything. This felt like a teenage boy attempting to be as edgy as possible to get in with the big boys. It was just gross.

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Gritty, gripping, f***** up. 

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challenging dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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dark sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Wow, was this an intense, somewhat terrifying ride. Camille is a character you want to give a hug too and go back in time and be there for her while she was growing up. When you return to Wind Gap with her, you understand why she struggles with alcohol and self-harm (also, major trigger warning in regards to that). Wind Gap is a miserable place full of people who seem to be stuck in a cycle of misery no matter what your status is. The level of hopelessness and viciousness that is buried deep and so subtle you may not notice right away was horrifying. No wonder Camille got out of there--I would have to as soon as I was 18. 
 I had an idea of what was going on due to seeing bits of the TV show, but other than that, I was astonished at what was actually happening. It is a quick, unsettling read that does not hold back the description of trauma and its consequences to individuals and to families and how a parent's trauma can be passed down to their kids. 
 The characters in this are not necessarily likeable. I felt sympathy and pity, but other than Camille, I would say no one was particularly nice or pleasant. 
 My last note would be this: please, please, if you struggle with self-harm or alcoholism, be careful with this book and maybe reconsider if you want to read it. I do not struggle with self-harm myself and I am not a therapist, but I was shocked at times how graphic it could be. MAJOR TRIGGER WARNING in regards to self-harm in my opinion.

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dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

I had a good time, sure the plot twist was  not as twisty as intended. (Maybe I’m too shrewd?) and I also almost wished for more focus on Amma but ultimately the book is a good time. I saw criticism for the way the book approaches teen and pre-teen bodies, I concur it’s in a nearly brutal always graphic way I think this is just a reflection of the brutality Camille unloads on others. She didn’t escape her mother by turning inwards fully so her tone when describing the tween girls around her is a super imposition of what was done to her body when she was their age, she’s projecting what she thinks others saw in her as a justification, to make sense of herself. And maybe to make a point about how especially Amma is trapped between beguiling childishness and weaponising her own body. It didn’t bother me so much that I feel the book fell underneath this internal narrative but I’m still glad it’s over. 

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dark emotional sad 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

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