A review by bradwahlstedt
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

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

5.0

This book is dark and horrific in a lot of ways that made me feel very seen. The main character struggles with self harm, mental illness, and problematic/traumatic views of sex, all of which feel like very accurate portrayals of those same issues. At times it was very frustrating reading about what she was doing, but as someone who's struggled with much of the same it was often followed by "oh crap, I used to do that". She's also a blatant alcoholic, but it barely comes up because her issues are so big, which was also relatable. My wife and I have spent quite a bit talking about this book now and the different ways we felt seen by it as mentally ill recovering addicts. Truly a fantastic look into how it is that people can get to a point of doing horrific things, how those things feel palatable in those moments, and how those actions can cause so many more problems.

The external plot, being the mystery of who's murdering the young girls in town, is intriguing. But it feels like the bigger plot is that of the protagonist's relationship with her abusive mother and strange sister. I don't read many thrillers so I can't comment much to the external plot but I thought it was good. A little predictable at times, a little surprising at others. But those relationships were what kept me turning the page, which feels by design. If the investigation was the main point, I think we should've had a police investigator as our viewpoint character. Instead we have this disaster of a reporter.

I honestly can't recommend this book highly enough, if only for the chance to practice empathy towards those with mental illness, trauma, and addiction.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Self harm