Are women crazier than men? This book had me asking this question over and over till I almost believed it.
It didn't help that the title gave a forecast of the kind of messed up and disturbing psychological thriller this novel was going to be.
This novel not only has a disturbed protagonist, but also some of the most twisted themes to ever exist.
From self harm, to substance abuse, to dysfunctional family relationships, to sexualization of minors, to gruesome depiction of violence and injury, it is only fair to say that these dark themes are not readable for the faint-hearted.
But as disturbing as this book might seem, the author made sure that this novel did not only keep you at the edge of your seat, but had you thinking about it even when you turned the very last page.
Gillian Flynn's "Sharp Objects", is a psychological thriller about Camille. A crime reporter, who lives in Chicago. After a disturbing disappearance of a little girl, in Camille's hometown, Wind Gap, Missouri, Camile has to go back to her home town to investigate and report the disappearance.
Her return to Wind Gap, opens a can of worms that include murder, and deep rooted family trauma, that has not only led Camile into an excessive drinking bout, but led her to self imposed therapy is a psychiatric hospital.
Turns out Camile Preaker, has had a very complicated childhood, that involved her self harming by cutting words all over her body since she was a teenager.
Her visit to Wind Gap, leads to a series of twisted sick discoveries, that threaten to send Camile right back to the hell and demons she escaped from.
I find it disturbing that this novel is the author's debut novel.
Almost every main character has some dark, twisted or disturbing secret, and it leaves me wondering exactly what state of mind the author was when she was penning down this novel.
In terms of characterisation, this is my best novel yet.
I kept wondering, how unsettling it might have been to write Camile Preaker's character.
Her character is a dark and unsettling one, and one that was plagued with far too many traumas, I was almost tempted to believe she was real and not fictional.
There is also Camille's mother, who literally had quite an unhealthy and sickening approach to motherhood.
I found myself shuddering so many times, when her character was talked about, and it didn't help that the author gave such a chilling and apt description of her character.
However, there wasn't really an atom of suspense in this novel for me. It was easy to quickly narrow down each of the crimes to the culprit, the resolution of the mystery was not that much of a huge shock, but there was enough in the plot to keep me interested.
I wouldn't say I enjoyed this book, because I mostly found it disturbing to read. Camile childhood and character development was too monstrous, alongside other sociopathic characters this author wrote about.
Do I recommend? For the plot? Yes I do. However, I would advise against getting too deeply invested in this novel.
This is one of those novels that are good, but disturbs your psyche in a way that is troubling.