Monday, May 11, 2009

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

I have heard a ton about Gillian Flynn's newest novel that was just recently released through different blogs and magazines, so I decided to check out her previous book through my library. Man on man, am I ever glad I did! I absolutely LOVED THIS BOOK and have to give it an A.

From Amazon:
WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her legSince she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful thirteen-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankleAs Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, Camille will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

This was such a good, gripping mystery but it was also deeply disturbing. Camille has a lot of problems and comes from a long list of people with deep, severe emotional problems. At times I had difficulties reading the book, but it was in a good way. Everything that was in the book that was disturbing had a place and a reason for it. Ms. Flynn was not just trying to shock her readers... it really had a reason and a meaning behind it. I haven't read a book this powerful in a long time or gotten lost in such a story like this. I highly recommend this mystery, but not for those who tend to enjoy more of the cozy mysteries and not the emotional, disturbing type. I can't wait for her next one!

Up next is an old book off of my shelves. I really need to start reading more of my own books, especially for the Read Your Own Books Challenge. I hope everyone else is having a great week and had a FANTASTIC Mother's Day! Happy Reading!

7 comments:

Literary Feline said...

I have heard such great things about this novel. It's one I really hope to read one of these days. I am glad you enjoyed it, Kristie! Hopefully the second book is just as good!

Thoughts of Joy said...

This is another must read that's on my TBR Shelf and you gave it a solid "A"! That makes me want to pick it up now. There just isn't enough time in a day to read all my must reads. :)

Kristie said...

I know what you both mean... there are so many good books out there and just not enough time. I hope the second book is just as good too! I can't wait until it comes in!

SuziQoregon said...

This one was so good. Incredibly disturbing, but so good. I'm hearing good reports about her new one too.

Karen Olson said...

I read this book two years ago and it still haunts me. One of the best I've ever read.

She's got a new book out this month: Dark Places. I am so there.

Karen Olson said...

Just finished DARK PLACES. It's even better than SHARP OBJECTS.

Kristie said...

Thanks Karen! I am going to pick it up right now... though I have a hard time imagining how it could be better! Enough chatting... time to start reading!