Unless you've been living under a rock (at least in the book world), you've probably heard of her! It seems like Gillian Flynn is everywhere nowadays! I first read Gone Girl last summer. Well, I have a confession to make. I didn't love it. In fact, I might would say I didn't like it. Whhhaaattt? I'm sure you're wondering why in the world I've included her in my favorite authors series! Stay with me...I promise I'll make my case. Gone Girl is actually her most recent book. Again, I broke a rule. I skipped over her first two books, Sharp Objects and Dark Places, but luckily, they are unrelated, in case you were worried. So why was I so bold to say I didn't like a book? Well, like I said, I don't want to be a spoiler in case you haven't read it, but you might want to get busy, seeing as it's going to be a movie in October. I didn't like it because I didn't like a main character too much. And I think that's exactly what Gillian wants us to do! So I liked it, but I didn't like it...confusing, right? In fact, I think I liked it because I didn't like it! I would think that for an author to take such a huge risk like that and create main character(s) that are somewhat unlikable, is gutsy and bold! And...if your creation causes people to talk about the book long after they've read it, even a year later, as a friend and I were just doing recently, well then I'd say you're pretty darn successful! Which leads me to go back in time, publish date-wise.
A month or so ago, I was book-looking, and found myself drawn to the remaining books I hadn't yet read. The covers are stark, black, and I was drawn to them. So Dark Places came home with me. Oh my goodness, it was so good! It flip flops between 20 years ago and present day, but it was so well written. The way that she kept all the minute details together no matter who's point of view it was, was commendable. It's dark, y'all, make no mistake about it. But oh so good!!! Coincidently, it's also going to be a movie, in September. I told y'all she was everywhere!!! So if you have not read this one, you really need to get busy! The moment I finished this book, I was so eager to get my hands on Sharp Objects. So once again, I found myself going back in time, by publishing date.
Sharp Objects was amazing also. I'm afraid to tell you a certain book series it was compared to in some reviews, and also in my own mind, because I don't want to sway your judgment. Let me tell you what sub-genre I'd place this book in: Southern Gothic. It has all the prerequisites of a great southern gothic tale. It might be my favorite of the three. If a book makes you talk out loud to it while you're reading it, it's doing it's job! Once again, I would remind you that mysteries are my thing, so I'm always racing against the book to figure it out first! Rounding out the Gillian Flynn is everywhere sub-plot...Sharp Objects appears to be in the preliminary stages of becoming a TV show! So look here, if you haven't read these yet, run (you don't have time to leisurely stroll) to your nearest bookseller and get them all, even Gone Girl!
