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jenna_lynn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Self harm, Child abuse, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Drug abuse
shreyapandey13'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
2.0
Graphic: Self harm, Child abuse, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
katmystery's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Blood, Body horror, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Murder, Child death, Gore, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Self harm, Sexism, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Rape and Drug use
Minor: Eating disorder and Cancer
nellzzzz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Medical trauma, Mental illness, Child abuse, Addiction, Drug use, Murder, Alcohol, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, Drug abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, and Violence
zerkleoflife'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
4.0
Graphic: Medical trauma, Blood, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Murder, Vomit, Self harm, Emotional abuse, Gore, Toxic friendship, Physical abuse, Violence, Alcohol, and Grief
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Eating disorder, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Bullying, Cursing, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Drug abuse, and Rape
sare1125's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Self harm, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Child death
tferree's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, and Self harm
Moderate: Sexual content and Vomit
joanne22rn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Self harm, Child death, Drug use, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Alcohol, Body horror, Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Vomit, and Violence
opal_scorpio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Violence, Alcoholism, Murder, Alcohol, and Self harm
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Body horror, Drug use, and Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death, Lesbophobia, Medical content, and Rape
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: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child death, Self harm, Child abuse, Vomit, and Sexual content