Camille Preaker has mental health issues. She's a cutter - carving words onto every inch of her body.
"I am a cutter, you see. Also a snipper, a slicer, a carver, a jabber. I am a very special case. I have a purpose. My skin, you see, screams."
But she seems to have things under control now, holding down a job as a newspaper reporter. When two girls go missing in her hometown of Wind Gap, her editor asks her to cover the story, as she'll have the 'inside' view. But he doesn't seem to realize he's sending her back into the lion's den....
There's a reason Camille left Wind Gap and chose not to return - dysfunctional doesn't even begin to describe her family. Her relationship with her mother is decidedly unhealthy. There's something off in her teenaged half sister's life as well. And frankly, most of the town. Flynn's descriptions and dialogue are permeated with jagged, sharp edges and will give you the creeps. I found myself having the scary movie conversation with the book. Leave the house, get out of that town now!
Flynn builds layers of darkness even as Camille starts to bring the past to light. Sharp Objects is a mystery, but it's a also a disturbing and unsettling study of damaged psyches. Hard to read, but hard to put down. Read an excerpt of Sharp Objects.
(That cover is great - I love the cracks in each face. The casting is spot on and I can't wait to watch!)
Oooh, maybe I'll take this to the beach when I go later this month.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed Gone Girl, but Flynn's writing is very dark. I'll have to read this one before watching the series!
ReplyDeleteOn the fence after reading the review and comments. Maybe a bit too dark for me.
ReplyDeleteI avoid books that are too gritty & dark but I do love reading your thoughts on them!
ReplyDeleteBermudaonion - it's gothicly (is that even a word?) creepy!
ReplyDeleteEthan - it is indeed very dark. I wanted to read it before watching as well.
Mystica - I think it's polarized - you're either gonna love it or hate it.
Icewineanne - thanks!