Sharp Objects

Much like Gillian Flynn's other two novels, Sharp Objects is a very dark and sinister book. It's the kind of book that you can't help but enjoy while simultaneously questioning yourself for liking such a dark book so much.

When protagonist Camille Preaker was thirteen years old, her younger sister died and Camille spent the next ten years physically harming her own body by carving words into her own skin, eventually covering almost every inch of herself. Camille became a journalist and ten years after leaving her small hometown, she returns to report on the recent murders of two young girls. Although the girls showed no signs of sexual abuse, all of their teeth had been removed. As Camille looks further and further into the case, she finds herself pulled more and more into the town and uncovers secrets that not only help her solve the mystery, but also lead her to deal with some issues from her past that she had been avoiding for the last ten years.

All the characters in this book are very well-rounded because they each have their own deeply intense  past that comes into the story. The characters are dark and all dealing with their own demons, including Camille. I like that Flynn writes the main character with plenty of her own faults so that the reader does not automatically side with her. She allows the reader to see the flaws in Camille and retain focus on each of the characters in turn.

What I found most interesting about Sharp Objects was how Flynn challenged the norm. All the townspeople were convinced that a man would be the only possible suspect in the murders of the young girls. No one thought twice about suspecting a woman, especially not another mother. Flynn does not shy away from exploring the topics that are not talked about as often. Similarly, she doesn't hold back anything when delving into harsh topics like self mutilation or people using sex as an escape.

Sharp Objects is a brilliant first novel by Gillian Flynn, and I have nothing but good things to say about her succeeding two novels as well. Dark Places and Gone Girl both have a similar feel and I highly recommend all three of these books.