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A review by selendrea
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.5
Sharp Objects is an intense, fierce story about motherhood, coping with loss, and feeling suffocated in a small town. Moments in this novel left me feeling breathless, hungry for more. Flynn's prose is the perfect balance between both descriptive/metaphorical and clear/precise.
I really enjoyed this work's exploration into its characters the most. Several characters were fully fleshed out, and the dynamics between people across the town of Wind Gap felt realistic. Depictions of catty girl-on-girl relationships of all ages felt all too familiar and nostalgic too me. The members of the main family, the cornerstone of this book, were so unique in their motivations, struggles and characterizations. I felt that Flynn's depiction ofself-harm was not only well done, but I also enjoyed the eccentric spin she took for Camille's character.
There were some moments in this novel, particularly those that emphasizedthe sexuality of underaged girls and those that depicted large age gaps between romantic/sexual partners , that made me a bit uncomfortable. Generally, as a reader, I don't mind discomfort, and I appreciated how Flynn put a magnifying glass to the very real ways in which young girls sometimes act , forcing us to acknowledge it and sit with our discomfort.
The unfolding of the narrative and the pace of the plot were both well done, but I was unfortunately not surprised by any of the twists, turns, or reveals. While I felt the ending was well done, I left the book feeling like I wanted just a bit more, something else unexpected and surprising, but it sadly never came. Nonetheless, I think Sharp Objects is an admirable debut novel and makes for an entertaining short read.
I really enjoyed this work's exploration into its characters the most. Several characters were fully fleshed out, and the dynamics between people across the town of Wind Gap felt realistic. Depictions of catty girl-on-girl relationships of all ages felt all too familiar and nostalgic too me. The members of the main family, the cornerstone of this book, were so unique in their motivations, struggles and characterizations. I felt that Flynn's depiction of
There were some moments in this novel, particularly those that emphasized
The unfolding of the narrative and the pace of the plot were both well done, but I was unfortunately not surprised by any of the twists, turns, or reveals. While I felt the ending was well done, I left the book feeling like I wanted just a bit more, something else unexpected and surprising, but it sadly never came. Nonetheless, I think Sharp Objects is an admirable debut novel and makes for an entertaining short read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol