Sharp Objects

It wasn’t really love at first sight when I started it. Something about the writing felt off to me, especially in dialogues. Many sounded unrealistic to me, and everything was a bit over the top. Camille initially seemed like a copy of characters I’ve seen over and over. Her involvement with the cop was the most telegraphed thing I’ve ever seen, and it happened when, on their second meeting? Third at best.

But then, at some point, I was hooked. I didn’t really care for the mystery itself, which I would argue is not even the main focus of this story, despite looking like it is. The real focus of the story is the unpleasant reality of a small town and its inhabitants. The complex psychology of those extremely messed up characters.

I rarely make faces at a book while I’m reading, but I did. It made me cringe and grimace in horror and disgust. I started at some point when Adora said something incredibly fucked up (must have been “Why Marian and not her?” or “One day I’ll carve my name there”) and I only did it more as I kept reading. I started caring about Camille at one point. Something about how the dysfunctional family dynamics (if one could call them just that) have affected her deeply, made me feel for her. I felt anger when characters (well, Adora, mostly) said hurtful things to her.

Though I think what finally made me swear out loud was, of all things, Alan paying Adora’s bail to let the poor thing await trial from the comfort of her shiny marbles. What even is the point of that man who reads about horses. Anyway.

The solution to the murders wasn’t surprising to me. Adora becomes a suspect in the reader’s mind pretty much right away, so it couldn’t have been her. And there’s only another person who’s as fucked up as she is, Amma. Though I have to say, my brain breaks at the idea of a thirteen year old girl committing such violent acts. I was expecting it to be her, but still that’s very disturbing. I have to say though, at one point I realized I was reading a Gillian Flynn novel (lol) and feared Camille would end up being the murderer. Happy it wasn’t the case.

One thing’s for sure, Gillian Flynn can write flawed, messed up and unjustifiable female characters too well. All the female characters in this one were unlikable, going from slightly to extremely. Even Camille is unlikeable and makes very questionable choices, though I grew to feel for her.

A big “booo” for Richard who bailed as soon as he saw the scars. Can’t really blame him for wanting to stay as far away from all that as possible, but still. A special mention to Curry and Eileen, Camille’s calls to them and their concern for her made me tear up more than once.