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{{Short description|Novel by Gillian Flynn}}

{{for|the television adaptation|Sharp Objects (miniseries)}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2024}}

{{Infobox book

| name = Sharp Objects

| image = Sharp-objects-book-cover.jpg

| caption = First paperback edition cover

| author = [[Gillian Flynn]]

| title_orig = <!-- if not in English -->

| translator =

| illustrator =

| cover_artist =

| country = United States

| language = English

| series =

| subject =

| genre = {{hlist|[[Psychological thriller]]|[[Southern Gothic,|Southern Psychological Thriller,gothic]]|[[Mystery fiction|Mystery]]}}

| published = 2006, [[Shaye Areheart Books]] (2006)

[[Broadway Books]] (2013)

| media_type = Print, e-book, audiobook

| pages media_type = 328

| isbnpages = 0307341550

| oclcisbn = 0307341550

| deweyoclc =

| congressdewey =

| preceded_bycongress =

| followed_bypreceded_by =

| wikisourcefollowed_by =

| wikisource =

}}

'''''Sharp Objects''''' is the 2006 [[debut novel]] by American author [[Gillian Flynn]]. The book was first published through [[Shaye Areheart Books]] on September 26, 2006, and haswas subsequentlylater beenreprinted re-printed throughby [[Broadway Books]].<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Lee |first=Stephan |date=March 29, 2013 |title=See the new covers of ''Gone Girl'' author Gillian Flynn's ''Sharp Objects'' and ''Dark Places'' —– Exclusive |url=http://shelf-life.ew.com/2013/03/29/gillian-flynn-sharp-objects-dark-places-covers/ |access-date=January 21, 2014 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |___location=New York City |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |access-date___location=JanuaryNew 21,York 2014City}}</ref> The novel follows Camille Preaker, a newspaper journalist who must return to her hometown to report on a series of brutal murders.

The novel follows Camille Preaker, a newspaper journalist who returns to her hometown to report on a series of brutal murders. It garnered critical acclaim.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Burkeman |first=Oliver |date=May 1, 2013 |title=Gillian Flynn on her bestseller ''Gone Girl'' and accusations of misogyny |url=https://www.theguardian.com/books/2013/may/01/gillian-flynn-bestseller-gone-girl-misogyny |access-date=October 17, 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>

==Characters==

===Main=Plot==

Camille Preaker works as a journalist at ''The Daily Post'', a small newspaper in [[Chicago]]. She is not particularly satisfieddissatisfied with theher job, which includesinvolves writingcovering stories about humancrime neglect,and murders,human and crimesuffering. Camille getshas alonga somewhatcomplicated wellrelationship with her boss, Frank Curry, who supported her duringafter a recent hospitalization due tofor [[self-harm]]. CamilleShe has carveda manyhistory of carving words ontointo her body—havingskin, previouslydriven hallucinatedby them on her skinhallucinations. Curry givesassigns her ato reportingcover assignmentthe to her hometowncase of Winda Gap,murdered Missouri,girl whereand onea girlmissing haschild beenin murderedher andhometown aof secondWind isGap, missing[[Missouri]].

*Camille Preaker: A young journalist trying to make a better life for herself in Chicago. She has suffered for years after the death of her sister Marian at a very young age. Camille spent time in a psychiatric hospital near Chicago after years of [[self-harm]].

*Amma Crellin: Camille's 13-year-old half-sister, who is the "it girl" in the town of Wind Gap, Missouri. She lives a double life as a perfect Southern daughter to Adora and also the mean girl to the rest of the town. She terrorizes those living in the town as she attempts to rule everyone around her.

*Adora Crellin: Camille and Amma's mother, a strict woman who rarely shows any type of positive emotion towards Camille, and treats Amma like a baby doll. Her family is the wealthiest in the area and owns many of the businesses in the surrounding areas, and she has a firm hold on the social atmosphere of Wind Gap.

Once in Wind Gap, Camille manages to gain somegathers information about the crimes from the townspeople, including the family of Ann Nash, the murdered girl. The local police areoffer notlittle particularlyinsight, forthcomingbut aboutChief the murderVickery, but the town sheriff, Chief Vickery, divulges to Camilleconfides [[off the record (journalism)|off the record]] that he believes that the murdererperpetrator is a Windlocal Gap native, not a strangerresident. Soon the body ofWhen the missing girl, Natalie Keene, is discovered in an alley in town. Both she and Ann werefound strangled andwith had all of theirher teeth removed. The police are baffled by the crimes., Camille's publishes a storyeditor, only for Curry, to askasks her to remainstay in Windtown Gapto forcontinue furtherreporting coveragethe of theunfolding murdersevents.

===Supporting===

*Richard Willis: A detective from Kansas City homicide division tasked to investigate the crimes happening in Wind Gap.

*Alan Crellin: Adora's husband, Amma and Marian's biological father, and Camille's stepfather. He is well reserved, quiet and believes whatever Adora tells him, even if it is a lie. He lets Amma do everything she pleases and provides whatever she asks for.

*Ann Nash and Natalie Keene: Two innocent victims of a gruesome crime in Wind Gap being investigated by Camille Preaker and Detective Willis. Ann, 9, is the first victim, and Natalie, 10, is the second.

*Bill Vickery: Chief of police in Wind Gap who asked for Detective Willis' help in investigating the crimes.

*John Keene: Natalie's 18-year-old brother. He is one of the main suspects in the murders, and his alibi during the disappearance of his sister sounds suspicious to the police and townspeople.

*Frank Curry: Camille's editor-in-chief, boss and friend. He encourages Camille to return to Wind Gap to cover a story of unresolved murders in her hometown.

*Eileen Curry: Frank's wife and a surrogate mother to Camille. Eileen often corresponds with Camille over the phone while she's in Wind Gap.

While there, Camille reconnects with her estranged mother, Adora, and her 13-year-old half-sister, Amma. Camille never had a good's relationship with her mother has always been troubled, asespecially Adoraafter alwaysthe preferreddeath Camille'sof her younger sister, Marian, who died due tofrom an unspecified illness whenduring Camille's was youngyouth. Amma, who was born after Marian's death, has grown intois a spoiledmanipulative teenteenager who behaveshides likeher arebellious youngbehavior childfrom inAdora. frontCamille ofalso herforms mothera torelationship hidewith herRichard drinkingWillis, druga use,detective and promiscuity. Camille connects with a handsomefrom [[Kansas City detective, RichardMissouri|Kansas Willis, sent toCity]] investigateinvestigating the potentialpossibility of a [[serial killer]].

==Synopsis==

Camille Preaker works as a journalist at ''The Daily Post'', a small newspaper in [[Chicago]]. She is not particularly satisfied with the job, which includes writing stories about human neglect, murders, and crime. Camille gets along somewhat well with her boss Frank Curry, who supported her during a recent hospitalization due to [[self-harm]]. Camille has carved many words onto her body—having previously hallucinated them on her skin. Curry gives her a reporting assignment to her hometown of Wind Gap, Missouri, where one girl has been murdered and a second is missing.

As Camille continues her investigation, she enters into a sexual relationship with Richard but avoids revealing her scars. She also grows closer to Amma, who takes her to a party where they drink and use drugs. Afterward, Camille wakes to find her mother giving her medication, which makes her ill. Camille soon realizes that Adora suffers from [[factitious disorder imposed on another]] and was responsible for Marian's death. A letter from a nurse who cared for Marian confirms these suspicions. Camille also learns that Richard suspects Adora of murdering the two local girls.

Once in Wind Gap, Camille manages to gain some information about the crimes from the townspeople, including the family of Ann Nash, the murdered girl. The local police are not particularly forthcoming about the murder, but the town sheriff, Chief Vickery, divulges to Camille [[off the record (journalism)|off the record]] that he believes that the murderer is a Wind Gap native, not a stranger. Soon the body of the missing girl, Natalie Keene, is discovered in an alley in town. Both she and Ann were strangled and had all of their teeth removed. The police are baffled by the crimes. Camille publishes a story, only for Curry to ask her to remain in Wind Gap for further coverage of the murders.

Camille returns to her mother's house, where Adora poisons her and tries to "care for" her. Camille passes out but is rescued when Richard and the police arrive to arrest her mother. Richard is shocked by Camille's scars, and their relationship ends. Adora is charged with the murders of Marian, Ann Nash, and Natalie Keene. Amma is sent to live with Camille in Chicago. Initially, Amma seems to adjust well, but after a classmate is found murdered with six of her teeth pulled, it is revealed that Amma was responsible for the murders of Ann and Natalie: jealous of the attention Adora gave to the victims, she killed the girls. Amma is arrested. Distraught, Camille resumes self-harming but is stopped by Curry and his wife, who take her in as their own daughter.

While there, Camille reconnects with her estranged mother Adora and 13-year-old half-sister Amma. Camille never had a good relationship with her mother, as Adora always preferred Camille's younger sister Marian, who died due to an unspecified illness when Camille was young. Amma, who was born after Marian's death, has grown into a spoiled teen who behaves like a young child in front of her mother to hide her drinking, drug use, and promiscuity. Camille connects with a handsome Kansas City detective, Richard Willis, sent to investigate the potential of a [[serial killer]].

==Development==

As Camille continues to investigate, she begins a sexual relationship with Richard. During each encounter with him, Camille refuses to remove her clothes out of fear that he will reject her after he sees her scars. Camille and Amma begin to grow closer. After attending a party with her sister where the two of them get drunk and take drugs, Camille wakes to find Adora caring for her, giving her pills that make her sick. Camille is horrified to discover that Adora does this to Amma frequently, and realizes that Marian's illness was not hers, but Adora's—[[Münchausen syndrome by proxy]]. After some investigation, Camille finds a letter written by a nurse caring for Marian that shows that the nurse had these same suspicions. Camille also discovers that Richard believes Adora to be responsible for the murders of Ann and Natalie. She returns to her mother's home, where Adora poisons Camille and tries to care for Camille's wounds while bathing her.

AsFlynn shewrote was''Sharp Objects'' while working as a reporter for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' while she was, writing ''Sharp Objects'', Flynn wrote the book predominantlynovel onduring nights and weekends, a few hours at a time.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://thegazette.com/2013/06/23/author-gillian-flynn-reveals-madness-behind-writing/ |title=Author Gillian Flynn reveals madness behind writing |date=June 23, 2013 |work=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)|The Gazette]] |access-date=January 21, 2014 |publisher=The Gazette Company |___location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa}}</ref> WhileShe writingdescribed ''Sharp Objects'', Flynn found that it was initiallythe difficultprocess toof maintainmaintaining the book's "moist", "gothic tone", as shechallenging, "didn'tcontrasting wantwith itthe tomore beupbeat EWstyle bouncyrequired for her day job."<ref>{{Cite news |last=McClurg |first=Jocelyn |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2006-09-27-new-voices-flynn_x.htm?hiddenMacValue=0&hiddenMacPrintValue=0 |title=New voices: Gillian Flynn makes thriller debut |date=September 27, 2006 |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=January 21, 2014 |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |___location=Mclean, Virginia}}</ref>

==Reception==

Camille passes out, but awakens to find Richard and the police arresting her mother. Richard is horrified to see the extent of her scars. This ends their relationship, despite his earlier claims of genuinely falling for her. Adora is charged with the murders of Marian and the two girls, and Amma is sent to Chicago to live with Camille. Amma initially seems to be healing from the abuse she suffered at Adora's hands, but soon after she begins attending a girls' school in Chicago, a classmate is discovered murdered, having had six of her teeth pulled. It is then revealed that while Adora did kill Marian, Amma murdered Ann Nash and Natalie Keene, in part because she was jealous of the attention Adora was giving the girls. Amma is later arrested for her crimes. Distraught, Camille cuts herself again, but is stopped by Curry and his wife, who take her in as their own daughter. The story ends with Camille learning to be cared for as a child and a daughter for the first time.

''Sharp Objects'' attained critical acclaim.<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=Book Marks reviews of ''Sharp Objects'' by Gillian Flynn |url=https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/sharp-objects/ |access-date=October 17, 2024 |website=Book Marks |language=en-US}}</ref> Literary critics praised Flynn for her exploration of psychological complexity, dark family dynamics, and her sharp prose.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=All Book Marks reviews for ''Sharp Objects'' by Gillian Flynn |url=https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/all/sharp-objects/ |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Book Marks |language=en-US}}</ref> The novel was often lauded for its disturbing atmosphere and its handling of deeply flawed – yet compelling – characters.<ref name=":0" />

Writing for ''[[Chicago Tribune]]'', [[Alan Cheuse]] described the book as "a first novel that reads like the accomplished work of a long-time pro", adding that it "goes deeper than your average thriller", blending "the narrative drive of a serious pop novel" with the psychological depth of a "mainstream character study". He called ''Sharp Objects'' "a terrific debut".<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=''Sharp Objects'' |url=https://penguinrandomhouselibrary.com/book/?isbn=9780307341556 |access-date=October 18, 2024 |website=Penguin Random House Library Marketing |language=en}}</ref>

==Production==

As she was working as a reporter for ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' while she was writing ''Sharp Objects'', Flynn wrote the book predominantly on nights and weekends, a few hours at a time.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://thegazette.com/2013/06/23/author-gillian-flynn-reveals-madness-behind-writing/ |title=Author Gillian Flynn reveals madness behind writing |date=June 23, 2013 |work=[[The Gazette (Cedar Rapids)|The Gazette]] |access-date=January 21, 2014 |publisher=The Gazette Company |___location=Cedar Rapids, Iowa}}</ref> While writing ''Sharp Objects'', Flynn found that it was initially difficult to maintain the book's "moist", "gothic tone", as she "didn't want it to be EW bouncy."<ref>{{Cite news |last=McClurg |first=Jocelyn |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/books/news/2006-09-27-new-voices-flynn_x.htm?hiddenMacValue=0&hiddenMacPrintValue=0 |title=New voices: Gillian Flynn makes thriller debut |date=September 27, 2006 |work=[[USA Today]] |access-date=January 21, 2014 |publisher=[[Gannett Company]] |___location=Mclean, Virginia}}</ref>

''[[The Kansas City Star]]'' hailed it as "one of the best and most disturbing books" in recent memory, commending Flynn's skillful blend of tragedy and suspense.<ref name=":0" /> ''[[The Plain Dealer]]'' also praised the novel, describing it as "a sad, horrifying book" with characters that "will worm their way uncomfortably beneath your skin". The review noted that ''Sharp Objects'' felt more like a "literary novel than simple mystery".<ref name=":0" />

==Reception==

Critical reception has been mostly positive.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Steffen |first=Amie |url=http://wcfcourier.com/news/opinion/blogs/on_the_shelf/sharp-objects-a-stomach-wrenching-journey-into-family-torment/article_1349b492-e4c9-51f0-aff4-ef1d47aa427a.html |title=''Sharp Objects'' a stomach-wrenching journey into family torment |date=August 6, 2012 |work=The Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier |access-date=January 21, 2014 |publisher=[[Lee Enterprises]] |___location=Waterloo, Iowa}}</ref> ''[[Kirkus Reviews]]'' gave a favorable review for ''Sharp Objects'', calling it "Piercingly effective and genuinely terrifying."<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=May 20, 2010 |title=''Sharp Objects'' (review) |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/gillian-flynn/sharp-objects/ |magazine=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |___location=New York City |publisher=Kirkus Media |access-date=January 21, 2014}}</ref> The ''Star-Herald'' also gave a positive review, praising the book's gradual revelations.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Yellman |first=Abby |url=http://www.starherald.com/entertainment/columns/sharp-objects-keeps-reader-interested/article_51bfe302-9ae9-11e2-9387-0019bb2963f4.html |title=''Sharp Objects'' keeps reader interested |date=April 1, 2013 |work=[[Star-Herald]] |access-date=January 21, 2014 |publisher=Star-Herald Publishing Co. |___location=Scottsbluff, Nebraska}}</ref>

''[[The Washington Post]]'' lauded Flynn's writing as "skillful and disturbing", praising her ability to write with both lyricism and sharpness, all while maintaining an "unsparing eye for human imperfection".<ref name=":1" />

===Awards===

* ''New Blood Fiction Dagger'' from the [[Crime Writers' Association]] (2007, won)<ref name="CWA">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2007/newblood.html |title=Gillian Flynn wins with ''Sharp Objects'' |publisher=[[Crime Writers' Association]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071207155637/http://www.thecwa.co.uk/daggers/2007/newblood.html |archive-date=December 7, 2007 |access-date=January 21, 2014}}</ref>

* ''[[CWA Ian Fleming Steel Dagger|Ian Fleming Steel Dagger]]'' from the Crime Writers' Association (2007, won)<ref name=CWA />

* ''Duncan Lawrie Dagger'' from the Crime Writers' Association (2007, nominated)<ref name=CWA />

==Adaptations==

In 2008, British director [[Andrea Arnold]] was reportedset to bedirect directinga anfilm adaptation of the novel for French production company [[Pathé]], but the project neverdid materializednot materialize.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Mitchell |first=Wendy |date=August 6, 2008 |title=Forward, Slingshot start shooting UK school horror ''Tormented'' |url=http://www.screendaily.com/forward-slingshot-start-shooting-uk-school-horror-tormented/4040179.article |access-date=October 7, 2014 |magazine=[[Screen International|Screen Daily]] |___location=London, England |publisher=Media Business Insight |access-date___location=7London, October 2014England}}</ref>

The film rights to ''Sharp Objects w''ere were purchased by [[Blumhouse Productions]] and [[Alliance Films]] in 2012,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Nordyke |first=Kimberly |urldate=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gone-girl-author-gillian-flynn-395337November 30, 2012 |title=Hollywood's Most Powerful Authors: Gillian Flynn on Adapting ''Gone Girl,'', Being Too 'Wimpy' for Crime Reporting and Her Best Advice to Writers (Q&A) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gone-girl-author-gillian-flynn-395337 |access-date=NovemberJanuary 3021, 20122014 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=January 21, 2014 |publisher=[[Eldridge Industries]] |___location=Los Angeles, California}}</ref> with Flynn initially working as the series' [[screenwriter]]. By 2014, Flynn's rolebecame had changed toan executive producer, alongsidefor Jasonan Blum and Charles Layton, for aeight-episode television miniseries, adaptation foralongside [[EntertainmentJason OneBlum]] and Charles Layton. [[Marti Noxon]] wrote the pilot script,and served as showrunner.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Highfill |first=Samantha |date=July 9, 2014 |title=Gillian Flynn's ''Sharp Objects'' is coming to television |url=http://insidetv.ew.com/2014/07/08/gillian-flynn-sharp-objects/ |access-date=July 10, 2014 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher=[[Meredith Corporation]] |___location=New York City}}</ref> |publisher=[[MeredithSharp CorporationObjects (miniseries)|The well-reviewed series]],<ref>{{Cite web |access-date=July 106, 2014}}</ref>2018 combining|title=''Sharp thisObjects'' roleshould withbe thatfirst ofchoice showfor runner.summer Aappointment straightTV |url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/2018/7/6/18385355/sharp-toobjects-seriesshould-orderbe-first-choice-for-summer-appointment-tv of|access-date=October eight22, one2024 |website=Chicago Sun-hourTimes episodes,|language=en}}</ref> also titled ''[[Sharp Objects (miniseries)|Sharp Objects]]'', was directed by [[Jean-Marc Vallée]], filmed in various [[California locations]] and in [[Barnesville,Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]] in March 2017. The series, directed by [[Jean-Marc Vallée]], wasand premiered in July 2018, withstarring [[Amy Adams]] starring as Camille Preaker.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/sharp-objects-hbo-drama-series-amy-adams-star-eone-marti-noxon-1201728892/ |title=HBO Orders ''Sharp Objects'' Drama Series Starring Amy Adams From Marti Noxon, Gillian Flynn, Jean-Marc Vallée & eOne |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 1, 2016 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |___location=Los Angeles, California |access-date=August 8, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=February 19, 2016 |title=Amy Adams to Star in Gillian Flynn's ''Sharp Objects'' TV Adaptation |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/sharp-objects-television-show-amy-adams-cast-1201710883/ |access-date=February 20, 2016 |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |___location=Los Angeles, California |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |access-date___location=FebruaryLos 20Angeles, 2016California}}</ref>

==References==

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[[Category:American mystery novels]]

[[Category:2006 American novels]]

[[Category:Self-harmFiction inabout fictionself-harm]]

[[Category:FilicideFiction inabout fictionfilicide]]

[[Category:American novels adapted into television shows]]

[[Category:Novels set in Missouri]]

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[[Category:Novels about alcoholism]]

[[Category:Shaye Areheart Books books]]

[[Category:Works about Munchausen syndrome by proxy]]

[[Category:Southern noir novels]]