Those are just some of the blurbs on the paperback copy of my current read. I normally don’t pay much attention to that but this book seems to have a lot of blurbs; on the back and two pages inside.
Sometimes when I see such glowing recommendations I become a bit skeptical but so far I can say that Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn is living up to these descriptions.
The story is about Camille Preaker’s first reporting assignment at her second-rate daily paper. She has to go back to her hometown of Wind Gap to cover the murders of two preteen girls. Being back home brings up memories of her own difficult childhood and she’ll have to confront what happened to her years before.
I’m really drawn to the descriptions which sometimes I’m finding unsettling and intense. Here’s Camille describing herself:
“I’m 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. It is covered with words – cook, cupcake, kitty, curls – as if a knife-wilding first-grader learned to write on my flesh.â€
So far, my reading year has started off with some exciting reading material. I hope yours has as well.
Now, this week I’m getting ready for more excitement because I’m in Dallas and plan to visit with my former book groups, go to the Craft Guild for some bookbinding time and of course see friends. I can’t wait.
I had some really good friends in high school who were cutters. They’d wear long sleeves even in a San Antonio summer. 🙁 Fortunately, they don’t need to do it anymore.
Man that sounds intense…
Wow, interesting sounding book and I love when a book lives up to its blurbs. Have fun with your book groups, your bookbinding and catching up with friends…
I’m glad that your reading year is starting so well! This one does sound intense!
Great reads!
I am doing well in my challenges. I am determined to whittle my TBRs this year!
I hope you’ll enjoy reading Sharp Objects. It’s an intense book!
Have fun in Dallas! 🙂
I really enjoyed that book. I’m glad you like it too. We read it for book club. And many did not like it.
Hey! Just wanted to say thanks for stopping by my little place in cyberspace. Also I wanted to pass along two reads I recently enjoyed – The Cheese Monkeys: A Novel in Two Semesters by Chip Kidd (I think I identified with the design / studio crits, but also the design commentary) and Dermaphoria by Craig Clevenger (still reading but the book has grabbed me). Both should be afternoon reads for the likes of you…
Thanks again and stay in touch. Hope to see you in NYC in 2009!
I have heard wonderful things about this book and so my hope is that the descriptions on the cover are true. I am looking forward to reading that one someday.
I read it a while back and really liked it. It was recommended by a friend of mine who used to be a cutter. She thought it was very insightful and honest.
It’s hard trying to see everyone at once. I just got back from being home and I thought I’d have plenty of time to see everyone, but unfortunately I didn’t. Plan well!
Eva – That must have been so hard for you as a friend to know about but not really be able to do anything. Glad to hear your friends were able to stop doing that. It’s so sad.
Jessica – It does, doesn’t it? The writing has been very much like this throughout the book.
Christine – I know, it’s such a shame when a book that gets so many glowing recommendations just doesn’t work. I’ll say hi to book group peeps on your behalf 🙂
jenclair – I’ve got a few other books that I’m also into and those are really good too! yay for a good reading year 🙂
Isabel – Good for you girl! I’m determined to continue whittling down the stacks too – but I say that every year! haha
Melody – I know it’s billed as a mystery too but I am pretty sure I have that figured out. I don’t think that’s what’s standing out for me in this book… the characters though and the way she describes small town life – wow. Now that’s great.
Linda – Oh I bet that was a good discussion. I can see how it could turn off readers. There are somethings that are quite ick!
MC – Glad to see you in cyberspace! 🙂 I have been wanting to read the Chip Kidd book for ages! Glad to hear you liked it. I’m going to be adding both of those to my ever-growing tbr list. I hope to see you guys this year in NYC! 🙂
Literary Feline – So far the praise is really holding up for me. It’s quite the thriller!
Rebecca – Really? That’s great. It’s so interesting to read how the character describes the need to do something like that. You can’t help but feel so sad for the person.
nik – hey great to see you back! I can’t wait to read all about your trip back home. Hope it was great!
I have the same skepticism about the tons o’ praise, but this does sound interesting!
Enjoy Dallas!
I read Sharp Objects about a year and a half ago and it still haunts me. I found it amazingly compelling, disturbing, and one of the best books I’ve ever read.
Tiffany – I know, you just can’t help but wander if it’s really that good! 🙂
Karen Olson – I remember you recommended the book! I did finish it and it was very good. I was a little bit disappointed with one little thing but overall I still can’t get over some of the descriptions.
Sounds like an interesting book. Hope you had a wonderful time!
don’t you just love when books live up to your expectations and the glowing reviews.