Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn - 5 stars

[Teodora]

There's no other rating I could give this book but five stars. It is not a book for the faint-hearted, but it's very well-written. Poetic and disturbing at the same time. Dark. Twisted. But, oh, so good.

The book begins when a journalist from Chicago returns to her hometown to report about a series of murders that happened there. But this book is less about the mystery of who did it and more about portraying the ugliness inside humans, and especially the ugliness inside women. It shows the misfortunes, the unpleasant parts of living in a small town, sometimes taken to the extreme. And most of all, it talks about the cruelty women of all ages display towards one another, from the bullying that happens in school at the earliest ages to the way adult women can hurt each other with well-placed words.

It is also a quite accurate portrait of a small town. I don't live in USA but in Romania, but there are many similarities. And although this book presents extreme things, people do eat each other up in small towns. For attention, for fame, for money. Sometimes for fun or simply because they love a good gossip. There, the way someone presents themselves to the world is the most important, and this book does a great job of showing that.

I've read a few reviews that mentioned not liking any character of this book. Well, I did like Camille. She has her issues, of course, and does some things "proper" society would do more than just not approve, but considering her past, I'd say her behavior can be excused. And underneath it all, I spotted someone I liked. Someone I genuinely wanted to get better. To heal herself.

Last, I want to say there was something in this book that reminded me of Stephen King. There are no supernatural horrors in this book, but still, the things portrayed border the horror genre. Also, there was something in the writing style, in the way character behaved. I can't exactly explain it, but it was there.

This is definitely a book I would recommend to anyone as long as they can handle the dark side.

[Joi]

I also loved this one- so dark, twisty, and effed up.
I'm anxiously awaiting whatever Gillian Flynn puts out next.

Been meaning to watch the HBO series based off this with Amy Adams. Has anyone watched?

[Teodora]

I haven't watched it yet, but I know someone who both read the book and watched the series, and said the series is a good adaptation of the book. So I am looking forward to it. Just have to find the time.

[Sarah]

The HBO series is fabulous! The 'dark side' can be hard to watch also. 5* for Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson.

[Susie]

The show was great, wasn't it? So dark. It was a great interpretation. I have enjoyed Flynn's novels more than I thought I would.