Book Review: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

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“Sharp Objects” by Gillian Flynn is an amazing book for mystery-thriller lovers. Heck, even Stephen King blurbed the book!

“Sharp Objects” follows Camille Preaker, a journalist from Chicago. Her boss (and mentor) sends her back to Wind Gap, her childhood town, in order to cover the story of the horrid murders of two young girls.

There, Camille has to cover an exceptional story, face ghosts from her past, and test her own strength as she is recovering from her own demons.

I am officially convinced that I will love any and every thing Gillian Flynn publishes.

Through the character of Camille, I found myself seen, and I resonated with her and some of her experiences. I have never seen any other thriller writer accomplish that before. (Not that thrillers lack any depth or depth of character – especially since they generally deal with human psychology…)

Journalist Camille Preaker is super compelling. An intelligent, well-rounded, character. She’s actually super sympathetic although she presents a cool detached lens to the citizens of Wind Gap.

The society of Wind Cap felt like an entire character altogether. The people of Wind Gap are cruel, messed up, and highly concerned with money and appearances. They like to gossip. They’re shallow, suffocating, and live in a cyclical cycle. And yet, they are worthy of Camille’s sympathy. Even when she’s deserted Wind Gap.

Outsiders to the town seem to find it insufferable and inhabitable as we can see through the characters of John Keene (older brother of one of the little girls murdered) and Detective Richard (an outsider helping the case.)

There is just so so much to unpack in this book. Such as the violence done against women. The way women of Wind Gap think about motherhood, girlhood, rape, and feminism.

I believe there is a bigger message at the heart of this novel. Women’s pain and illness being consistently – throughout history – ignored and discredited by the media and the medical field.

[SPOILER AHEAD]

As for the mystery itself, I called it in the early pages. I knew Camille’s mother had something to do about the murder of her first younger sister Marian. I actually learned something new in this novel: Munchausen syndrome (inflicting false symptoms to increase sympathy.)

However, I did not see that coming with Camille’s sister (Amma) being the murderer (the horrible strangling and pulling of teeth) of the two younger girls. I was shocked but not too surprised as it was believable, knowing how Amma was continuously poisoned and babied and doted on by their mother.

I also really appreciated the importance of showing Camille’s own struggle with self-harm. Her entire body tells the story of childhood trauma. And she’s ashamed but the scars – the words she has etched – have helped her survive her younger sister’s death. It was such a relief to see her boss Curry and his wife nurture and love her and welcome and take care of her, as a real family and parents should.

Truly masterful. I will read everything by Gillian Flynn. Just wow.

“The face you give the world tells the world how to treat you.”

“Sometimes I think illness sits inside every woman, waiting for the right moment to bloom. I have known so many sick women all my life. Women with chronic pain, with ever-gestating diseases. Women with conditions. Men, sure, they have bone snaps, they have backaches, they have a surgery or two, yank out a tonsil, insert a shiny plastic hip. Women get consumed.”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐