Reviews tagging 'Sexual content'

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

264 reviews

onyxem's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

Hmm… how do I explain what I feel about Sharp Objects? 

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.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Child death, Self harm, Child abuse, Vomit, and Sexual content

0live_tr33's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Rape, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Adult/minor relationship, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, Fatphobia, Animal cruelty, Toxic friendship, Torture, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Self harm, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Vomit, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Sexism, Religious bigotry, Racism, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Gore, Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Drug use, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Death, Chronic illness, Classism, Cursing, Child abuse, and Body shaming

louiepotterbook's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-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

2.75

The misogyny and detailed descriptions of minors bodies ruined the story

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Child death, Self harm, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Gore, Misogyny, Violence, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Bullying, Body shaming, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Torture, and Vomit

enaminella's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Vomit, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Murder, and Child death

Moderate: Gaslighting, Sexual content, and Drug abuse

gothlawyer's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Self harm, Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Animal cruelty, Murder, and Drug abuse

jnl0's review against another edition

dark emotional tense medium-paced

• 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? No

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Child abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Body shaming, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Drug use

Moderate: Suicide attempt and Sexual content

readingloris's review against another edition

dark sad tense slow-paced

• Loveable characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

A bit of a tough read. The characters aren’t likable, it’s on the slower side, and there’s some tough content to get through. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm and Murder

Minor: Drug abuse, Sexual content, Vomit, and Suicide

jalynrose's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad 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

2.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Self harm, Sexual content, and Child abuse

rainbow_narwhal's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad medium-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

2.0

Went in expecting a lot out of this book. It wasn’t terribly written. Most of it was written well. found the plot predictable. Much of the “twists” were expected and I didn’t much care for any of the characters. I found the book dragged in areas. I almost DNF, but I kept pushing hoping for a surprise twist that I didn’t see coming. Disappointed…..

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Child death, Sexual assault, Vomit, Sexual content, and Alcohol

readwithz's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm, Alcoholism, Sexual assault, Murder, Sexual content, and Sexual violence