[BOOK REVIEW] Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn #SharpObjects

I watched the TV mini series back when it came out in 2018 and was just floored by it! I found it to be so enjoyable and captivating! I bought a paperback copy of Sharp Objects a few years back and have postponed reading because of I don’t know why but I’m glad I picked it up and read it now! I have to say that the mini series is quite close to the book so kudos to Flynn for getting involved with it and providing the readers with what we deserve.

Sharp Objects follows Camille Preaker, a reporter for a small newspaper press in Chicago called The Daily Post. Her first assignment is to investigate the strange murders of pre-teen girls that happened in Wind Gap, a town she grew up in. Camille is reluctant to take the assignment but knows very well that she can’t say no so she goes in – but going in means reconnecting with her strange mother Adora and her step-father Alan as well as seeing her step-sister Amma who she doesn’t know well at all. Visiting Wind Gap won’t be easy for Camille because it’ll open up old wounds and might even open new ones… will she be able to overcome her past and focus on the task she’s been assigned to or will the past catch up with her and influence her investigations?

Flynn is someone whose writing I love and whose mind I find to be so fascinating. She comes up with great and complex female characters and stories. I just loved reading Gone Girl and was amazed at how someone could write such a good thriller that makes the reader gasp and be speechless. I’m so glad I read Sharp Objects because once again Flynn showcases her crafting skills and comes up with such interesting, flawed and complex characters. I found all the characters to be very well-written especially Camille, Adora and Amma. I wanted to learn more about the latter two because I found their psyche to be something so fascinating. Although the book was 400 pages I wished she gave us more of a backstory involving certain characters because that would’ve been even more enjoyable and fun. The book is very dark and it won’t be for everyone because it involves certain trigger warnings such as cutting, mutilation and more. I don’t wish to discuss this book further because of potential spoilers hence why I’ll leave you with this: for anyone who enjoys reading good psychological thrillers and mystery books this one is for you.

Sharp Objects is a fantastic thriller featuring very complex and unlikable characters that’ll make you read-on until you get to the very end and then wish for more.

My rating:

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Gillian Flynn is an American author and television critic for Entertainment Weekly. She has so far written three novels, Sharp Objects, for which she won the 2007 Ian Fleming Steel Dagger for the best thriller; Dark Places; and her best-selling third novel Gone Girl.

Her book has received wide praise, including from authors such as Stephen King. The dark plot revolves around a serial killer in a Missouri town, and the reporter who has returned from Chicago to cover the event. Themes include dysfunctional families,violence and self-harm.

In 2007 the novel was shortlisted for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar for Best First Novel by an American Writer, Crime Writers’ Association Duncan Lawrie, CWA New Blood and Ian Fleming Steel Daggers, winning in the last two categories.

Flynn, who lives in Chicago, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She graduated at the University of Kansas, and qualified for a Master’s degree from Northwestern University..

Find her on: Website, Goodreads and Twitter.

[BOOK REVIEW] My Dark Vanessa by Kate Elizabeth Russell #MyDarkVanessa

The more I mull over this novel and think back on my experience with it I’m struck by the wrongness of my rating hence the change from 4 to 5 stars. Having previously read Putney (see my review here) I felt the urge to (re)read My Dark Vanessa after it, in order to see how the two works relate to each other and to provide a long due review for MDV. I have to admit that my experience with MDV felt more intimate but I don’t wish to undermine the importance of Putney because it was such an important novel.

My Dark Vanessa follows Vanessa Wye, a fourteen/fifteen year old girl who becomes involved in a sexual relationship with a much older English teacher (eighteen-year difference between the two) Jacob Strane at a boarding school she’s enrolled in. Almost two decades later Jacob is accused of sexual abuse by a former student of his but Vanessa’s perception of that subject and of her relationship with Jacob is quite different. Vanessa becomes conflicted, begins questioning what’s right and what’s wrong because her experience with him didn’t involve sexual abuse, did it?

So, Kate Elizabeth Russell can write! I never felt a dull moment while I read the book because everything was connected to the larger plot points. What I really appreciated was the depth the story had. What I felt lacking in Putney was what I found in MDV and that is the slow realisation of things happening to the main character. Yes, Putney had three characters and MDV had one but I still wished for Putney’s main character (Daphne) to have that deep introspection when it came to the realisation that abuse had taken place. I absolutely loved how Putney had three characters because we got more POVs and more details and I sort of wish MDV had Jacob’s perspective at least (although we got to see the speculation behind his behaviour). Both novels feature very dark, heavy themes and are very interesting in their own ways so I’m glad that I read them both (one after the other). Going back to MDV, Vanessa’s character was very multi-layered and real – from her teenage, rebellious teens to her slightly older thirties. Her problems and dilemmas were realistic (in my opinion) and added complexity to her character. It was interesting seeing the relationship between Vanessa and Jacob through her (V) eyes because I became so invested in her story and wished to help her. I don’t wish to discuss the book further because I feel like I’ll ruin the experience to the future reader. This novel, as well as Putney, is very heavy in its themes and subject matter but also very important. Stories like these are real and need to be told.

If you’re an individual who is interested in the heavier novels that deal with important topics such as sexual abuse, mental health issues and much more then this (and Putney) is the book you’ll want to add to your TBR and read.

I would like to thank the publisher (4th Estate) for providing me with a review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and weren’t influenced by the fact that I got this book from the publisher.

Have you read this book? Does it intrigue you? Please, let me know down below in the comment section.

My rating:

Add ‘My Dark Vanessa‘ to your TBR: 

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**I am in no way compensated by these sites. I am simply sharing it so people can find this book easier.

Kate Elizabeth Russell was born and raised in eastern Maine. She holds an MFA from Indiana University and a PhD from the University of Kansas. My Dark Vanessa is her debut novel.

Find her on: Website and Goodreads.