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Dramatic,
Dark,
Addictive

6 reviews

Sharp Objects: A Novel
by Gillian Flynn

Published: 2006-09-26
Kindle Edition : 254 pages
24 members reading this now
41 clubs reading this now
29 members have read this book
Recommended to book clubs by 6 of 6 members

FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF GONE GIRL

Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, Camille has hardly spoken to her ...

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Introduction

FROM THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF GONE GIRL

Fresh from a brief stay at a psych hospital, reporter Camille Preaker faces a troubling assignment: she must return to her tiny hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls. For years, 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 in her old bedroom in her family's Victorian mansion, Camille finds herself identifying with the young victims—a bit too strongly. Dogged by her own demons, she must unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past if she wants to get the story—and survive this homecoming.

Editorial Review

As loyal Entertainment Weekly subscribers, we have been fans of Gillian Flynn for her smart, funny, and spot-on reviews of books, movies, and TV, but we were not prepared for her stunning debut novel Sharp Objects, a wickedly dark thriller that Stephen King calls a "relentlessly creepy family saga" and an "admirably nasty piece of work." We're calling it a cross between Twin Peaks and Secretary--sinister, sexy, and stylish. Perfect fall reading. --Daphne Durham


10 Second Interview: A Few Words with Gillian Flynn

Q: Do you prefer writing novels or reviewing?
A: I think writing is more pure--and actually a bit easier for me. It's just me and my laptop, not me and my laptop and a TV show that 30 people have worked on. Reviewing keeps you sharp--I can hardly watch or read anything without taking notes now--but plain old writing I find actually relaxing.

Q: Do think your writing is influenced more by books that you have read, or shows/movies that you have seen?
A: My mom spent her career as a reading teacher and my dad is a retired film professor, so I was really steeped in both books and movies growing up. To this day, when I get my dad on the phone, pretty much his first sentence is "Seen anything good lately?" I love putting words together (I've never met a simile I didn't like), but when I write I often think in "scenes"--I want these two people, in a dirty bar, with this song playing in the background.

Q: I hear you are working on your second book...is it is too early to ask what it's about?
A: I'm still playing around with the whole plot--when I wrote Sharp Objects, I wasn't even sure who the killer was for a bit. But I can say [the new book] has to do with family loyalty, false memories, a wrenching murder trial, and a dash of good 'ole 1980s hair metal and devil worship.

Q: What is your writing process like? Have you changed anything about how you work since your first book?
A: My writing process is incredibly inefficient, and hasn't changed between books. I really don't outline: I know basically how I want the story to start, and vaguely how I want it to end (though like I said, with Sharp Objects even that changed!). Then I just write: Some characters I start finding more interesting, some less. I write entire swaths that I pretty much know I'll cut. I have an entire file of "deleted scenes." I guess the one thing that has physically changed is I moved into a new place since my first book--it has a great bathtub, and I'll prop my laptop up and write in the bath for hours. Which is, admittedly, weird.


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Member Reviews

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by Manette S. (see profile) 09/17/23

 
by Christie C. (see profile) 03/15/20

 
by Kristina S. (see profile) 02/28/20

 
  "Gripping"by Carol D. (see profile) 10/30/14

I like it even better than Gone Girl.

 
  "Dark and disturbing. Loved it!"by Melissa M. (see profile) 10/24/13

Took me a little bit to get into it at the very beginning but then couldn't put it down til the very end!

 
  "Sharp Objects"by Ann W. (see profile) 05/30/13

There are many things that people deal with on a daily basis and most of us are clueless to the storms in other people's lives. This story deals with murder, mystery, and dysfunctional families. What is... (read more)

 
  "Sharp Objects"by Elizabeth E. (see profile) 03/24/13

 
  "I couldn't put it down!"by Deanna H. (see profile) 11/14/12

I read Gone Girl and really liked it, so I went looking for Gillian Flynn's other books. I picked this one up at the library and couldn't put it down. I loved Camille Preaker and her oddity. I highly suggest... (read more)

 
  "Dark, but Thrilling!"by Paige L. (see profile) 09/15/10

 
  "All too rushed and predictable ending after struggling through "Disturbing" mental disorders!!"by Julie S. (see profile) 02/21/09

A disturbing and predictable novel. Disturbing because I think the degree of self abuse and sexual behavior in early teens was a little unbelievable for me. I don't underscore how sick people can get... (read more)

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