Sharp Objects
Gillian Flynn
2009
272 pages
********************
The horror!
Seriously. You would not believe all of the horror I have been reading. Actually, I’m sure you do, as I’ve been posting about IT and Dueling Monsters ad nauseum. But the weird thing is, all of these horror books I’ve been reading have another common theme:
Biting.
Yes, biting. It all started with IT. Pennywise the Clown likes to chomp off arms. I didn’t really think much about that (other than “gross!”). Then there was American Psycho, in which Patrick Bateman has the distressing tendency to bite off women’s nipples. And other things. I tried to forget about that. Quickly. Then I read Sharp Objects, and there are young girls who like to bite. Later, they are murdered and their teeth are yanked out (this happens early, so I’m not really giving up the state secrets). And then I dived into Red Dragon. In this one, our main baddie also likes to bite. The police even give him the name The Tooth Fairy. And after the yanking of teeth in Sharp Objects, I starting thing this all a little too creepy.
And gross. I am so ready to read a book that has no mention whatsoever of biting.
So now that I’ve shared all that disgustingness, let’s move on to the book.
I read Sharp Objects because I loved Gone Girl and I wanted more. Even if I figured nothing could live up to Gone Girl. And I’d been warned that Flynn’s other books didn’t have that same draw-dropping WTF effect, so I was fully prepared not to be bowled over. But it’s still a good yarn filled with lots of fucked up characters. They just happen to be more blatantly fucked up in this one. It’s also a little easier to predict the outcome, although I didn’t think that detracted from the story at all.
In brief, Camille is sent back to her home town to write a story about the recent child murders. Camille isn’t exactly doing back flips over the assignment, and as she spends time in her hometown we see why…there is some major dysfunction going on.
And that’s all you need to know. Like Gone Girl, this one is best experienced by just diving in and going along for the ride.
This is one of my R.I.P. reads.
Yikes, it sounds like Flynn can really write dysfunction well.
bermudaonion(Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review: The Last Policeman
Now you really have me wanting to read American Psycho because that is just so amazingly wrong. I purchased both Dueling Monsters books; I’m just waiting to see if I have time to read them.
And I really need to read Gone Girl. I have it; I just haven’t picked it up yet.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Iron Queen
Trish! Stop what you are doing RIGHT NOW and IMMEDIATELY begin reading Gone Girl.
christina´s last [type] ..The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
I need to get this one- LOVED Gone Girl!
Sheila (Book Journey)´s last [type] ..Banned Book Hop!
I know I haven’t really been participating in the blogosphere lately but I have still wanted to read some R.I.P type books in October and I didn’t even think about reading another Gillian Flynn book. So thanks for the reminder, and this book sounds creepy!!
Jenny´s last [type] ..August in Review (and update)
I read this one and thought it was good but not great… definitely creepy though! I did buy a digital copy of Gone Girl based on your rave review (and several others), and I may just start that today!
Steph´s last [type] ..Remember when I used to write book reviews?
la la la la la la! I’m sorry, Fizzy. I can’t read this review until I’ve read Sharp Objects. I can’t read Sharp Objects until I get below a certain Evil Number on the scale. This very book is meant to be motivation. I’m almost there.
bybee´s last [type] ..Not My Emily
Oh, I think I actually have this one. Maybe I’ll read it first and build up to Gone Girl. Thanks for reminding me to get back to my shelves!
Lisa´s last [type] ..Bloggiesta – OLE!
This is the book that got me hooked on Gillian Flynn years ago. And it still makes me shiver when I see dollhouses!! The teeth!!!
Jenners´s last [type] ..Bits of News of Varying Degrees of Importance
I found Flynn out way back when she first wrote this book and it’s been an interesting journey reading her through out her writing career. I have no idea where she might end up next.
christina´s last [type] ..The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
I can’t handle more fucked up than Gone Girl. Honestly I just can’t. I loved the ride the book took me on but at the end I was exhausted and drained.
Oh, in other news, I found my Hannibal list in my purse this afternoon. This means I don’t have to worry about boss finding “eats brains for breakfast” note.
Trish´s last [type] ..Bloggiesta – Fall 2012
What the hell? I’m starting to think something is wrong with the authors! Biting off nipples? I rather have my arm bitten off! Ugh!
Vasilly´s last [type] ..Reader Survey
I loved Gone Girl and just finished Dark Places (which was AWESOME btw) so I’m definitely planning on getting to this one soon. Glad to hear it’s great as well.
Heather´s last [type] ..SIBA Day Four
I have planned to read Gillian Flynn’s books in the order in which they have been written. Then I’ll have saved the best for last!
Jenny´s last [type] ..Review: The Art of Making Magazines
I need to finish up Gone Girl but I’m having a hard time finishing up ANYTHING. Arrgh! MFers.
Andi (Estella’s Revenge)´s last [type] ..The Sunday Salon – A Relaxing Weekend
I really want to read more Gillian Flynn. I should find this one in October, it sounds creepy and awesome.
Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness)´s last [type] ..A Nine Month Review of Books Read
This is the only one I’ve read of Flynn’s and I remember thinking it was dark. As for the biting, well, you made me protectively cover my more abundant body parts. Yucky!
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..Mystery Writers Choose Great Mysteries Quiz & birthday giveaway