Reviews tagging 'Classism'

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

23 reviews

hanbu's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.75

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lignjahal's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

4.5/5.0

I decided to listen to the audiobook alongside watching the miniseries, which was a fun experience for someone rewatching the series.

I found the miniseries to be one of those rare adaptations that is better than the novel and improves the novel with its changes. That doesn’t mean that the novel was not good or unenjoyable, just that I think the extension of time and the passage of time since the novel’s release, have made it possible for the book to be improved.

As ever, Flynn’s prose is fantastic and I love how she writes female characters as unabashedly real, instead of the ridiculous version of “likable” that she has pushed against. Her writing style is really good at reflecting on trauma and the female experience of it, which is something I needed to read right now.

The only ding to the score comes from the writing of Amma, who’s pattern of behaviors in the book make her a more obvious bad seed than the version in the miniseries (which I obviously prefer better).

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tkatt20's review against another edition

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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? No

3.5

This book contains very descriptive and serious topics and content, please proceed with caution and look up a full list of TWs for this book, I also have a list at the end of my reveiw of some I took note of.

This was a ride. The premise it's was good, it felt like reading a Criminal Minds episode for the first 100 or so pages, but then we entered into the second half where things dragged and got weirder and more off-putting, and not in a good way, more of a "why is this thirty+ year old taking drugs from a 13 year old" way. I did genuinely like the main plots of the book, but once the MC has a few vastly inappropriate interactions with underage characters I was a little checked out.
I did keep reading for the mystery though. I was so certain I knew who the killer was but was quickly proven wrong at the end. I thought the characters were very interesting, mostly unlikable, but interesting nonetheless, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how they all responded to the crimes going on in their little town. If you're looking for a multi-layered, macabre mystery, then this will be perfect for you, otherwise I would go looking for something a little lighter and to preserve a little bit of the innocence you may have left.

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cinthiaurora's review against another edition

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dark emotional tense fast-paced

4.0

Every woman in a Gillian Flynn novel is just The Worst. And I love that for them.
I think she’s a very talented writer but in some instances throughout this book the way she presents new info felt a little off.

For example, the cutting.
For something that Flynn really emphasized plagues Camille’s every waking thought and influences every aspect of how she interacts with others, it just felt funny to “reveal” it half way through the novel. A novel being narrated by Camille no less.
Same thing with Adora’s violent tendencies. Up until Camille recalls the cheek biting incident, Adora was just presented to be a slightly overbearing, distant but possibly well-meaning mother. For being such a core memory you would think she would have brought this up, just, like, a little bit sooner. I understand the way to build suspense and all the strategies authors use to “leave breadcrumbs” in a story all the way up until the final climax. I understand the reason why these things couldn’t all be brought up at once. But sometimes it just felt like Camille had this selective amnesia until it was convenient for the narrative.
It felt funny, that’s all. But that’s just me being nitpicky.
Another thing that felt weird was the way Richard and Camille just, never spoke again immediately after the climax. I’m not saying it’s not realistic or that I craved any further “romance” between them, it just felt like a loose end Flynn didn’t know how to tie up so it was dropped altogether.

Anyways, those are just some of my thoughts. Great novel overall. Very twisted (in a good way) exploration of the dynamic between mother and daughter- which was rightfully the center focus of the book. Everything beyond that isn’t worth nitpicking too much. (Unless you’re like me and you like nitpicking :))

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nightingalehero's review against another edition

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dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

The writing of the book is beautiful. The plot is intriguing. The reason for the low review is entirely on personal taste. I personally disliked the characters. I personally disliked many of the scenes. The mystery was well crafted, it just wasn't for me.

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maregred's review against another edition

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challenging dark tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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nicoleherz's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.0

Sickening and sinister, family secrets, morally grey characters

Had watched the show several years ago and now decided to read the book. Didn't disappoint obviously, in fact I think the show portrayed the story and characters very well.

I felt for the main character but also found myself put off by some of her choices. The details were often gory and unsettling, definitely not for the squeamish.

Will definitely try others by this author.

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