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onyxem's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
First of all, this is my second Gillian Flynn novel, the first one I read being Gone Girl- which I very much enjoyed. What made Sharp Objects less enjoyable for me personally was the setting and the characters. This setting was, for me, an extremely unlikeable town with extremely unlikeable and sometimes unbelievable/unrealistic characters. For example, Amma, who is 13 in the story, doesn’t act 13 at all- and neither do the other children in the story- so much so that I had to remind myself how old they were. The southern atmosphere filled with selfish, deplorable, disgusting characters led me to not being able to relate and in turn, not deeply connect with ANY of the characters in this story. I realize Flynn’s intent was most likely what I’m describing- to disgust the reader and unsettle- which I most definitely was. However, the more I think about it, the more I feel that if I was able to connect with the characters more or the setting more, I’d be more affected by the thrilling aspects of the story or more invested in the ending. Instead, I was rather just left with a bad taste in my mouth. Personal preference here- but I felt the romance was rather unnecessary as well as the sexual aspects of the story.
I realize I’m being rather critical in this review, so I don’t want to downplay Flynn’s magnificent, descriptive writing style. Part of the reason I am able to feel so disgusted and impacted by this story is because of her detailed writing and descriptive nature. I feel like she has a talent for getting readers invested, even if they might not like the setting or characters. Finally, I was able to pretty much guess the plot twists at the end- but I was invested enough to be entertained on the journey. Overall, I land on 2.75 stars ⭐️.
I’ll still most definitely check out Dark Places, because I’d like a chance to once again enjoy Flynn’s writing while also enjoying the characters and setting more than I did in Sharp Objects.
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
andrea_lachance's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
purplexwidow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
Moderate: Forced institutionalization, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
z0tvzo'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? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Blood, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
0live_tr33's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
louiepotterbook'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
2.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, Dysphoria, and Injury/Injury detail
gothlawyer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
akechi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Injury/Injury detail
brendow's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Child death, Drug use, Vomit, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore and Torture
celina246's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Vomit, and Abandonment
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cancer, and Kidnapping