Helpful Score: 10
This is a murder mystery story told from various characters' points of view and set in the Kansas City area in 1985. The characters in this novel are very realistic, and flawed in their own human ways. This book will keep you guessing until the very last page. Lock the door and call out sick to work, because this book will not let you go until you finish it!
Helpful Score: 7
7-year-old Libby Day survives the night her mother and sisters are brutally murdered in their home in Kinnakee Kansas. Libby testifies that her 15 year-old brother committed the crime. Now at the age of 32 Libby has no job and no money when a group of armchair detectives approach her to try and garner information that may free her brother. Information she trades for cash. The novel is told in both present and past vignettes through the eyes of Libby, her brother and her mother, spinning a tail of dysfunction and desperation that at times will leave you feeling sick to your stomach. This novel is a truly twisted psychological thriller, with no really likable characters. I had no sympathy for any of the characters, and yet it was an incredible read. At times I had to stop and put the book aside because of the intensity and the utterly dark and depressing places that this book took me to in my own mind, so leave the lights on.
Helpful Score: 5
4.0 out of 5 stars Haunting and disturbing...
Who killed Libby Day's family? This is the mystery that is presented on the first page and the subsequent chapters detail Libby's attempt - half-hearted at first, to get the answers she so desperately needs in order for her to get on track in life. The book alternates points of view from Libby in present day to various characters from the past - describing the events that led up to, and include the infamous day of the murders twenty-five years previous - January 2, 1985.
The book is paced and the author writes excellent and well developed descriptions of the characters - Libby's mother, aunt Diane, sisters and brother - as well as of the setting of the Kinnakee, Kansas farm and Libby's house on the bluff in Kansas City, Missouri. (As a KCMO native, I was surprised to find a book set in this Midwest city because it is so rare and I really enjoyed that fact about the book.)
Because of the way the novel is written, the various points of view in each chapter are used to advance Libby's determination and investigation into actually and finally finding out who killed her family and why. The plot is revealed in layers and the reader isn't quite sure how all of this is going to come together - but it does. This is not a heart pounding thriller, but a more dark and plodding one - you know that denouement is just around the corner - you're hoping that Libby is going to get the information she wants as she confronts first one and then another of the surviving family and others involved with the search for the killer(s) of her family. Indeed, the hangers on - the Kill Club members - and her father, the loser Runner, only add to her consternation as she seems thwarted at every turn. Even her own brother, Ben, imprisoned by her testimony, seems to put roadblocks up instead of providing answers in the case.
This is not a book for the squeamish and describes some grisly scenes that include depictions of bloody murder and one of senseless animal torture. Libby, the protagonist, is not a loveable character, but one who grows on the reader as we are drawn into her world. We almost feel her lassitude and recognize how much energy her efforts cost her. We root for her, but are wondering if we really do want to know the answers. Is Ben guilty or not? No one associated with this crime is free of criminal association or above suspicion.
All in all - a good whodunit with a very appropriate ending.
Who killed Libby Day's family? This is the mystery that is presented on the first page and the subsequent chapters detail Libby's attempt - half-hearted at first, to get the answers she so desperately needs in order for her to get on track in life. The book alternates points of view from Libby in present day to various characters from the past - describing the events that led up to, and include the infamous day of the murders twenty-five years previous - January 2, 1985.
The book is paced and the author writes excellent and well developed descriptions of the characters - Libby's mother, aunt Diane, sisters and brother - as well as of the setting of the Kinnakee, Kansas farm and Libby's house on the bluff in Kansas City, Missouri. (As a KCMO native, I was surprised to find a book set in this Midwest city because it is so rare and I really enjoyed that fact about the book.)
Because of the way the novel is written, the various points of view in each chapter are used to advance Libby's determination and investigation into actually and finally finding out who killed her family and why. The plot is revealed in layers and the reader isn't quite sure how all of this is going to come together - but it does. This is not a heart pounding thriller, but a more dark and plodding one - you know that denouement is just around the corner - you're hoping that Libby is going to get the information she wants as she confronts first one and then another of the surviving family and others involved with the search for the killer(s) of her family. Indeed, the hangers on - the Kill Club members - and her father, the loser Runner, only add to her consternation as she seems thwarted at every turn. Even her own brother, Ben, imprisoned by her testimony, seems to put roadblocks up instead of providing answers in the case.
This is not a book for the squeamish and describes some grisly scenes that include depictions of bloody murder and one of senseless animal torture. Libby, the protagonist, is not a loveable character, but one who grows on the reader as we are drawn into her world. We almost feel her lassitude and recognize how much energy her efforts cost her. We root for her, but are wondering if we really do want to know the answers. Is Ben guilty or not? No one associated with this crime is free of criminal association or above suspicion.
All in all - a good whodunit with a very appropriate ending.
Helpful Score: 4
I was completely drawn in by Gillian Flynn's writing style when I read her first book, Sharp Objects. Dark Places doesn't disappoint. This story line pulled me in from the first page. The way the author writes gritty, real, female characters is absolutely spell-binding. It's dark, it's disturbing, and it's impossible to put down!!!
Helpful Score: 3
Dark Places is certainly well, ......dark. The book mainly centers on Libby, who was seven years old when her mother and two sisters were murdered in a Satan Sacrifice. Now, a secret club that likes to solve murders is trying to talk to Libby and get information from her so that they can help free her brother- who is accused of the murders. Did he kill them or didn't he? Libby is on a search to find out. This isn't a fast paced thriller; it's a bit slower, yet Flynn's way with descriptions and words keeps the story flowing well. If you're squeamish, don't even pick this book up. There's a lot of detail about gruesome things. I'm giving this a 4 1/2 only because there were a couple (to me) unnecessary chapters. Or perhaps I was just in a hurry to get the details.
Helpful Score: 3
After devouring Gone Girl, I couldn't wait to get my hands on more from Gillian Flynn. After only a few pages of Dark Places, it was obvious that I was going to love Flynn's earlier work just as much. Maybe even a little more.
Flynn is masterful at creating characters that aren't the least bit likeable, but completely engaging. For example, it's hard to feel sympathy for the "heroine," prickly shoplifter Libby Day, short-tempered, unmotivated, entitled -- and the lone survivor of her family's mass murder in the Satan-crazed '80s. But it's impossible not to want to peel back the layers of her story, to shine a light on Libby's titular "dark places." And chapters told in alternating voices, including Libby's murdered mother, Patty, and her big brother, Ben, imprisoned for his family's grisly murders, provide a great way to slowly unfurl the truth behind the night of the killings.
Once again, Flynn has captured a single day gone horribly wrong in the life of a truly twisted American family. And once again, I was genuinely blindsided when the author's carefully plotted reveal finally played out. What a great read.
Flynn is masterful at creating characters that aren't the least bit likeable, but completely engaging. For example, it's hard to feel sympathy for the "heroine," prickly shoplifter Libby Day, short-tempered, unmotivated, entitled -- and the lone survivor of her family's mass murder in the Satan-crazed '80s. But it's impossible not to want to peel back the layers of her story, to shine a light on Libby's titular "dark places." And chapters told in alternating voices, including Libby's murdered mother, Patty, and her big brother, Ben, imprisoned for his family's grisly murders, provide a great way to slowly unfurl the truth behind the night of the killings.
Once again, Flynn has captured a single day gone horribly wrong in the life of a truly twisted American family. And once again, I was genuinely blindsided when the author's carefully plotted reveal finally played out. What a great read.
Helpful Score: 2
Dark and dysfunctional, just the way I like it. Very well written, intense m/t that kept me up late to finish.
Helpful Score: 2
Wow! I finished this book yesterday and still can't stop thinking about it. Flynn is a master storyteller, putting a fresh, unimaginable twist on a tale reminiscent of Capote's 'In Cold Blood'. Her characters feel so real and the plot so riveting, I'm a little sad it's over! Kind of like that feeling you get after watching the finale of your favorite tv series.
Flynn is by far a talented writer, each book better than the last. I can't wait to read what she writes next!!
Flynn is by far a talented writer, each book better than the last. I can't wait to read what she writes next!!
Helpful Score: 2
Libby Day is the only survivor of a massacre that killed her mother and two sisters. The killings had a ritualistic feel, and her older brother, Ben, is arrested and convicted of the crimes. Libby, who was only 7 and at home during the murders, testifies against her brother. She is living off the proceeds of the kind hearted people who donated money after the killings.
Libby is a complicated character, with an edge to her character, and she is motivated by money to work with a "kill club", a group of people that find entertainment in researching past murders. The murders of her family members have their devotees and Libby works with them to get in contact with the people who knew her family, looking for the truth.
The book flashes from the days before the murders to present day, but was easy to follow. The characters were memorable, complicated, and compelling. When I finally got to the end and found out what really happened in the farmhouse that day, it was not at all what I expected.
I was compelled to read this book and wished that I could have read it all day.
Libby is a complicated character, with an edge to her character, and she is motivated by money to work with a "kill club", a group of people that find entertainment in researching past murders. The murders of her family members have their devotees and Libby works with them to get in contact with the people who knew her family, looking for the truth.
The book flashes from the days before the murders to present day, but was easy to follow. The characters were memorable, complicated, and compelling. When I finally got to the end and found out what really happened in the farmhouse that day, it was not at all what I expected.
I was compelled to read this book and wished that I could have read it all day.
Helpful Score: 1
Not for the light-hearted,this book is dark but extremely well-written. I enjoyed all the twists and turns in the novel and look forward to reading more novels by Flynn.
I liked this book because it was well written and fast paced, but it's been awhile since I've read a book that I didn't really like any of the characters. I appreciate flawed characters, that's what makes those characters ones you can find some of yourself in, identify with, and USUALLY find at least one you like, root for, care about their welfare. Not so with this book. It is a book that will stay with me, but only because it's dark and depressing. I only gave this three stars because the writing was so well done.
It kept my interest through the whole book. Not as good as her most recent books, but worth a read.
Libby Day's family was slaughtered when she was seven years old. Since then she's passed time living of a the fund well wishers built for her. 25 years is a long time and now the fund is at its end. With no education or working experience chances are that sooner or later she won't be able to pay her rent and what than ?
When Lyle Wright approaches her in the name of the The Kill Club, a society that of crime fans, approaches her and offers money just for talking in front of some people about her past she's more than desperate enough to accept the offer but soon learns that the majority of the club believes in Ben's innocence and thinks she was coached into her testimony against her brother.
Desperation brings her to agree to talk to people of her past for money and she soon finds herself thrown into a past she didn't know about. Beginning to believe that maybe she was coached she learns about the dark side of her brother's nature and the ultimate conclusion what really happened on January 2, 1985.
-
Dark Places is an easy, conclusive read, with three main characters: Libby in the present, Ben and Libby's mother Patty Day in the past. It is difficult to find any sympathy for the protagonists except for the mother but the lack of character doesn't hurt the whole story which is a great mystery.
Some things add up strangely and make the book especially in the end very weak but ultimately it kept me reading probably because it was such an easy read where one got everything served on a platter.
When Lyle Wright approaches her in the name of the The Kill Club, a society that of crime fans, approaches her and offers money just for talking in front of some people about her past she's more than desperate enough to accept the offer but soon learns that the majority of the club believes in Ben's innocence and thinks she was coached into her testimony against her brother.
Desperation brings her to agree to talk to people of her past for money and she soon finds herself thrown into a past she didn't know about. Beginning to believe that maybe she was coached she learns about the dark side of her brother's nature and the ultimate conclusion what really happened on January 2, 1985.
-
Dark Places is an easy, conclusive read, with three main characters: Libby in the present, Ben and Libby's mother Patty Day in the past. It is difficult to find any sympathy for the protagonists except for the mother but the lack of character doesn't hurt the whole story which is a great mystery.
Some things add up strangely and make the book especially in the end very weak but ultimately it kept me reading probably because it was such an easy read where one got everything served on a platter.
As with Gillian Flynn's debut novel, Sharp Objects, in Dark Places, the author also deals with the psychology of someone who is mentally unwell (among many other issues including a farmer's tough life and the way things were in the 80's for them). In this case, the protagonist, Libby, is mentally unwell because of the trauma she suffered as a child. Her family was murdered by not just anyone, her brother. She was the only one that managed to escape. Since then, she has become very bitter, uncaring, lonely, clinically depressed, has developed kleptomania, and seems to have a difficult time forming healthy relationships. She believes all of these will keep her from functioning enough to get a job. In my opinion she should have seeked therapy as it might have helped her function. Because she does not think she can get a job where she won't get fired and is running out of the money she's been living on (money sent to her by well-wishers who know about the murders of her family), she winds up selling family memorabilia to the Kill Club. The Kill Club is a horrible group of people obsessed with murders. They challenge Libby's idea that her brother was the murder that fateful night of January 3, 1985. Throughout the book the readers are told (in flashbacks) about the events of that night and events leading up to it. All is told through the point of view of Libby, Ben, and Patty, their mother. Readers, like Libby, will begin to question whether Libby at the young age of 7 was correct in stating her brother was the murderer. I know it seems as if just by knowing that readers will think "okay so then Ben probably wasn't the killer." Trust me, there's a lot you won't see coming and it's all worth the ride. The fact that it's so fast paced and makes you turn the pages like a madman/madwomen, adds to the enjoyment level.
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
The plot was interesting, but it was far too wordy. I did want to know who committed the murders as I read, but I skimmed and skipped many pages. I did like the ending & the explanation as to what happened. Definitely didn't guess that.
EXCELLENT and page-turning. I read this entire book in almost one sitting. I found the characters well developed and the story almost haunting. A++
One of the best books I've ever read! Dark and twisted, but it keeps your attention. I could not put it down. Finished it in three days!
Very suspenseful, but I don't think there's a single character in the book that I would like to meet in real life. Gritty and ultimately sad.
I read and enjoyed Flynn's novels GONE GIRL and SHARP OBJECTS a couple of years ago. DARK PLACES has been sitting on my shelves for awhile but finally got around to reading it. The title is very appropriate for this bookâindeed it does take the reader to very dark places! The antagonist, Libby Day, was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in the dead of night. Her mother was killed by stabbing and then a shotgun blast to the head; one sister was killed with an axe; and the other was strangled to death. The old farm home was covered in blood and Satanic symbols leading investigators to believe that Libby's brother Ben was the killer given he was involved in Satanism. But then 25 years later, Libby is approached by a member of the "Kill Club", a group obsessed with brutal crimes. They believe Ben to be innocent and want Libby to contact people who may have been involved to see what she can find out. Libby is short on funds so the money she will receive from the club invokes her to reconnect with the players from that fateful night. She contacts Ben in prison who is pretty uncooperative but then tries to find her father, Runner Day, a drunk who was always looking for easy money. So is she able to find the truth of what happened that night?
This was a really intense thriller that kept me glued to the pages. The novel does delve into some really dark things including devil worship and blood sacrifice. There were lots of twists to the story and I was really surprised with the ending and what really happened to the Day family. I did think that there were a lot of coincidences in the story which were somewhat far-fetched but overall I would recommend this taught thriller. I found out that there is also a 2015 movie version of this starring Charlize Theron that I will be on the lookout for.
This was a really intense thriller that kept me glued to the pages. The novel does delve into some really dark things including devil worship and blood sacrifice. There were lots of twists to the story and I was really surprised with the ending and what really happened to the Day family. I did think that there were a lot of coincidences in the story which were somewhat far-fetched but overall I would recommend this taught thriller. I found out that there is also a 2015 movie version of this starring Charlize Theron that I will be on the lookout for.
Gets top ratings from me. I loved this book. I had to go back & reread some parts to make sure I wasn't missing anything once I was nearing the end of the book. I wanted to be sure I could make the pieces fit. Excellent read!
A compelling story which will grab hold of you with that now infamous first sentence.
Gillian Flynn shows her powerful craft in her second novel, told through the narrative of Libby Day (the survivor of a massacre which stole her of her family). The book also flashes back to tell the tale from the point of view of Patty Day (Libby's late mother) and Ben Day (Libby's brother, convicted - erroneously? - of the murders). As the novel progresses, the reader is transported into the minds of these three characters who present us with the day leading up to the grisly crime.
A wonderful, wonderful read. Gritty, stark, with the teeth and stunning force of a piranha.
Gillian Flynn shows her powerful craft in her second novel, told through the narrative of Libby Day (the survivor of a massacre which stole her of her family). The book also flashes back to tell the tale from the point of view of Patty Day (Libby's late mother) and Ben Day (Libby's brother, convicted - erroneously? - of the murders). As the novel progresses, the reader is transported into the minds of these three characters who present us with the day leading up to the grisly crime.
A wonderful, wonderful read. Gritty, stark, with the teeth and stunning force of a piranha.
Good read!
I had a hard time putting this book down. Almost as good as Gone Girl.
I got half way through the book until I decided forget it. I hated all of the characters, the story was very slow moving and really didn't leave you needing an end. I gave up, too many other books to read to waste my time, it was a shame because I liked Sharp Objects also written by Flynn.
Wow, another freaky & suspenseful book by this author. Fast paced, engrossing & disturbing - a penny for your thoughts Gillian Flynn!
I love this author! The story keeps you interested and is hard to put down...because you want to know who dun it! It's not who you think.
I really liked the book. I was immediately caught up in the story from the first few pages but often found the content more disturbing than I would have liked. I am a fan of this genre but for some reason the characters and storyline in this book were a bit hard to take. That didn't stop me from reading it and enjoying it but I was glad when the book was done.
This is such an awesome book. It's dark and intriguing.
I think Gillian Flynn is a very talented writer. This is the second book I have read by her -- Gone Girl being the first. The characters are all unique and she does an amazing job when it comes to suspense. Although I enjoyed this book, I did think that "Gone Girl" had a little more appeal. I would certainly consider reading other books which she has published.
After reading Gone Girl (by Flynn) and liking it, but not loving it, I decided to take a stab at one of her earlier works. Flynn's writing style and storytelling is SO apparent, there would never be any mistaking that these were written by the same person. She has the same, slowly-unwinding storyline with lots of twists and turns, fairly unlikable characters (that's how life is! no one walks around like Meryl Streep all day), and a personal mystery centered around a highly-publicized tragedy.
Libby was thoroughly damaged, and who could possibly blame her? I felt sorry for Patty in the same way I feel badly for battered women- they do not have the willpower to stand up to those who knock them down in the first place, and this makes me pity them. Overall, the characters were well fleshed out, garnered a fair amount of pity and indulgence, and definitely made me excited to finish the book. Read it in one day- I was so curious to see what had really transpired that night!
The only thing I did not like about this book was how quickly she jumped into helping the Kill Club. After 24 years of suppression, I think dragging her out of her shell would at least take a few months, but who wants to read through that?
Anyway, a good thriller-mystery-family drama. Had a much more satisfying ending than Gone Girl, and slightly more sympathetic characters. The story was quite thrilling though, and who knows, maybe I will go back and read Sharp Objects now!
Libby was thoroughly damaged, and who could possibly blame her? I felt sorry for Patty in the same way I feel badly for battered women- they do not have the willpower to stand up to those who knock them down in the first place, and this makes me pity them. Overall, the characters were well fleshed out, garnered a fair amount of pity and indulgence, and definitely made me excited to finish the book. Read it in one day- I was so curious to see what had really transpired that night!
The only thing I did not like about this book was how quickly she jumped into helping the Kill Club. After 24 years of suppression, I think dragging her out of her shell would at least take a few months, but who wants to read through that?
Anyway, a good thriller-mystery-family drama. Had a much more satisfying ending than Gone Girl, and slightly more sympathetic characters. The story was quite thrilling though, and who knows, maybe I will go back and read Sharp Objects now!
Libby is the sole survivor when her brother brutally murders her entire family one night. Years later, Libby digs into the past to figure out what really happened that horrible night. Did her brother really slaughter her family? Or is there more to what happened that night than what meets the eye.
I am a big fan of Gillian Flynn's work. Having said that, this book was probably my least favorite of hers that I have read. Although I still enjoyed it. I kept waiting for a big twist at the end and i didn't really feel like I got one. With Gone Girl I felt like the twist was shocking. With Sharp Objects I felt like I finished that book thinking the characters were really screwed up people. I liked the psychological aspect of it. When I finished Dark Places, I kind of put it down and thought ....huh really? I guess the idea that all these things happened that lead up to the events was interesting. The idea that if one thing had been different, the outcome might have been different. That was the part of this book that intrigued me, but also felt a little unbelievable.
I do recommend this book. If you are a fan of Gillian Flynn or like books about mysteries and crimes, then you should definitely pick up this book.
I am a big fan of Gillian Flynn's work. Having said that, this book was probably my least favorite of hers that I have read. Although I still enjoyed it. I kept waiting for a big twist at the end and i didn't really feel like I got one. With Gone Girl I felt like the twist was shocking. With Sharp Objects I felt like I finished that book thinking the characters were really screwed up people. I liked the psychological aspect of it. When I finished Dark Places, I kind of put it down and thought ....huh really? I guess the idea that all these things happened that lead up to the events was interesting. The idea that if one thing had been different, the outcome might have been different. That was the part of this book that intrigued me, but also felt a little unbelievable.
I do recommend this book. If you are a fan of Gillian Flynn or like books about mysteries and crimes, then you should definitely pick up this book.
Liked Gone Girl better. This story, boy is accused and convicted of killing his mother and sisters. Surviving sister gets to the truth and frees him. Trouble following the names, but end was good.
Good story, lots of twist and turns, like all her other books it kept me up nights reading!
This book kept me guessing, which kept me reading. I will not spoil the outcome for others, but I was very disappointed in the "secret." I would have never guessed the ending, but I thought it came on all too quickly and the solution was rushed.
I've never read any of Gillian Flynn's books before and after this one, I don't feel compelled to to read any others. Although this story kept my interest, I didn't find myself giving it much thought after finishing. A good book for a quick way to pass time.
A good read, not as good as Gone Girl, but far superior than Sharp Objects.
Loved it. Can't wait to see the movie adaptation.
This is the second book I've read by Gillian Flynn (I read Gone Girl not too long ago). I am usually not drawn into the dark and twisted, but Flynn has a way of drawing you in and leaving you wanting more. I dont even want to think about where she gets ideas for her stories, but do appreciate reading them from the safety and comfort of my little nest! Flynn is a masterful writer and I will definitely continue to read her work.
I liked this book. It kept my interest until the end. If you're a fan of this author, you'll not be disappointed.
What a page turner!! I finished this entire book in one day, it was that good!! I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys TV shows such as Criminal Minds, 48 Hours, etc.
I don't normally read a book more than once, but for some reason, I have now read 2 of Gillian Flynn's books twice. This is one of them.
It grabbed me from the first page and kept me wanting to keep reading. It's told from the perspective of a number of characters, so you get a feel for what they all are thinking, feeling, and dealing with. I couldn't put it down. I must add that it's a bit morbid. It's definitely dark and a bit evil, not to mention it is graphic at times, so if this is an issue, this book may not be for you.
It grabbed me from the first page and kept me wanting to keep reading. It's told from the perspective of a number of characters, so you get a feel for what they all are thinking, feeling, and dealing with. I couldn't put it down. I must add that it's a bit morbid. It's definitely dark and a bit evil, not to mention it is graphic at times, so if this is an issue, this book may not be for you.
As with Gillian Flynn's debut novel, Sharp Objects, in Dark Places, the author also deals with the psychology of someone who is mentally unwell (among many other issues including a farmer's tough life and the way things were in the 80's for them). In this case, the protagonist, Libby, is mentally unwell because of the trauma she suffered as a child. Her family was murdered by not just anyone, her brother. She was the only one that managed to escape. Since then, she has become very bitter, uncaring, lonely, clinically depressed, has developed kleptomania, and seems to have a difficult time forming healthy relationships. She believes all of these will keep her from functioning enough to get a job. In my opinion she should have seeked therapy as it might have helped her function. Because she does not think she can get a job where she won't get fired and is running out of the money she's been living on (money sent to her by well-wishers who know about the murders of her family), she winds up selling family memorabilia to the Kill Club. The Kill Club is a horrible group of people obsessed with murders. They challenge Libby's idea that her brother was the murder that fateful night of January 3, 1985. Throughout the book the readers are told (in flashbacks) about the events of that night and events leading up to it. All is told through the point of view of Libby, Ben, and Patty, their mother. Readers, like Libby, will begin to question whether Libby at the young age of 7 was correct in stating her brother was the murderer. I know it seems as if just by knowing that readers will think "okay so then Ben probably wasn't the killer." Trust me, there's a lot you won't see coming and it's all worth the ride. The fact that it's so fast paced and makes you turn the pages like a madman/madwomen, adds to the enjoyment level.
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
I guess I am in the minority with this review. I didn't like any of the characters, the plot didn't work for me, and I found it boring. I found myself wanting to put it down, and skimming just so I could get to the end. I liked her two other books and was very disappointed in this book.
my least favorite of the 3 books I have read by Flynn. I found the plot interesting and quick moving. I cant imagine how she invents these characters or scenarios, but they definately take you to "the other side" and make you think.
This book is wrote in three voices, that of Libby in present day, Ben and Patty on the day of the murders. To say that Libby is messed up for surving the murders of her family is an understatment, this girl/woman is a mental case. There were times her thought process would make me laugh then other times it would leave me scratching my head. Over all the story is ok, I wouldn't blaze a trail to stand in line to read this book and honestly I wouldn't spend money to buy it, wait and get it from a friend or the library. While the story set up seems to pull a person in the, the family slaughtered by the son but the one daughter get's away, is intriguing the author seems to ramble on at times making me want to put the book down and walk away. The author also has a bunch of side charcters too many in my opnion that she introduces to the story tells a little about them then forgets them. I am still wondering what happened to the members of the "Kill Club". This book offers a few twists and turns enough to make you read to the end but then once you get to the end it's like a scramble to finsh the book and tie up loose ends. I wasn't overly thrilled with the ending (Patty pissed me off) but atleast I finally got the whole story of what happened the night of the murders.
I really did like this book, though I must admit that I enjoyed her first book, _Sharp Objects_, much more. This one was more of a mystery - with a very unpredictable plot! I enjoyed reading it, and it reminded me of those "Satanic" murders that those three boys were blamed for, but that the HBO documentary made seem like it was obviously the stepfather... Anyhow, this was an original story with an interesting structure. Highly recommended!
I thought this book was awesome! I thought I had figured out the killer by the end of the book, but I was totally surprised by the end. I love the author's style of writing. Great book!
As with Gillian Flynn's debut novel, Sharp Objects, in Dark Places, the author also deals with the psychology of someone who is mentally unwell (among many other issues including a farmer's tough life and the way things were in the 80's for them). In this case, the protagonist, Libby, is mentally unwell because of the trauma she suffered as a child. Her family was murdered by not just anyone, her brother. She was the only one that managed to escape. Since then, she has become very bitter, uncaring, lonely, clinically depressed, has developed kleptomania, and seems to have a difficult time forming healthy relationships. She believes all of these will keep her from functioning enough to get a job. In my opinion she should have seeked therapy as it might have helped her function. Because she does not think she can get a job where she won't get fired and is running out of the money she's been living on (money sent to her by well-wishers who know about the murders of her family), she winds up selling family memorabilia to the Kill Club. The Kill Club is a horrible group of people obsessed with murders. They challenge Libby's idea that her brother was the murder that fateful night of January 3, 1985. Throughout the book the readers are told (in flashbacks) about the events of that night and events leading up to it. All is told through the point of view of Libby, Ben, and Patty, their mother. Readers, like Libby, will begin to question whether Libby at the young age of 7 was correct in stating her brother was the murderer. I know it seems as if just by knowing that readers will think "okay so then Ben probably wasn't the killer." Trust me, there's a lot you won't see coming and it's all worth the ride. The fact that it's so fast paced and makes you turn the pages like a madman/madwomen, adds to the enjoyment level.
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
Dark Places was an excellent read.
I loved the way the author moved back and forth in time. The ending brought it all together perfectly!
I highly recommend this book.
I loved the way the author moved back and forth in time. The ending brought it all together perfectly!
I highly recommend this book.
Very good book. Caught my interest in the first sentence!
Wow - I couldn't put this book down. Gillian Flynn writes so well! This is nightmarish for sure, none of the characters are likeable but all very human. This is a very dark, haunting, and riveting read. I couldn't stop till I got to the end, glad that the nightmare is over and yet ready to devour her other stuff.
Libby Day isn't the most sympathetic character in the world. She's squandered the money donated by the public when her family was slaughtered, leaving her the only survivor except the brother jailed for the crimes. They have no relationship and Libby is not very motivated toward anything. She's a perfect Flynn character! While I liked the book and was interested in the plot cannot say this is the best Flynn I've ever read. In spots there was a great deal of psychological fiddle-faddle which bogged down the action and made the characters seem pottering or posturing, rather than interesting. There is also a lack of believability in many of the situations where Libby does decide to take action. All in all though, it was more gripping than most crime novels and the writing is generally clear and detailed. I found it worth my time.
I guess I'm in the minority. I hated this book! The cover of the book is BLACK......just like the book is........dark, depressing, disturbing, unlikeable characters ........ugh!!!
Once again Gillian Flynn does not disappoint. This book is creative, engaging and suspenseful.
I didn't enjoy this book at all! None of the characters were likable, and the story wasn't believable. The book is very graphic and explicit. I don't need to read about every single bodily function/fluid!! There are too many great books out there to read, skip this one!
To me, I'm afraid this this book was a little too dark. I found it very depressing. Sorry to all of you that really liked the book.
I read "Gone, Girl" first and really liked it. I like this book even better. Gillian Flynn's style of writing has me hooked. The reader doesn't have to wait until the end of the book for something major to happen. Crazy stuff occurs from beginning to end. After having read GG, I knew to expect a twist that would change what I thought I knew and thats exactly what I got!
What an awesome thrilling story this was. I was confused and then it fell all together. Everything that took place was sad, terrible but a means to an end. Loved the book totally. Great characters and story....
Couldn't follow through with this, I don't like her style of writing and the back and forth and back and forth and I felt like it was just a person 'thinking' all the time, maybe it was better as it went on but after 100 pages I thought it boring.
One word. Red Herring! That was my impression of the ending Also the book was written in so many different voices and time periods that it was very had to follow. Just my experience not necessarily that of everyone else.
Another great book by Flynn
I really enjoyed Sharp Objects and so I was very happy to finally read this latest from Gillian Flynn. As with her previous book, this is no light read. It is dark (as name suggests) and complex. If you are looking for a fun summer by the pool kind of book, this is not for you. If you are looking for a suspenseful, psychological page turner, you are in the right place.
Loved this book! This was a great who-done-it...you absolutely KNOW Ben is the killer right from the get-go. Then a small doubt begins to slowly creep in. Then - wham! You learn the truth, but the author will keep you working for it, turning pages and staying up late to get the answer. It looks like I now have a new favorite author. Can't wait to read her next one! D.
This was an odd book - for me, it was a difficult read from the beginning. I struggled with it day after day. Which is odd for me because I can read just about anything and I read fast. I typically have several books laying around that I'm reading at the same time and never confuse them. However, I was so confused by this book that it was almost unreadable. THEN>> I decided to do something that I never do - read the last chapter first. I am so glad I did, because now I've read the entire book - backwards! And it is fantastic!! I know, that sounds crazy - I thought so too. But, don't judge until you've tried it! This book is great - but must be read from the last chapter to the first.
Fascinating story. Great characters. The book should translate well into film. A definite must see.
As with Gillian Flynn's debut novel, Sharp Objects, in Dark Places, the author also deals with the psychology of someone who is mentally unwell (among many other issues including a farmer's tough life and the way things were in the 80's for them). In this case, the protagonist, Libby, is mentally unwell because of the trauma she suffered as a child. Her family was murdered by not just anyone, her brother. She was the only one that managed to escape. Since then, she has become very bitter, uncaring, lonely, clinically depressed, has developed kleptomania, and seems to have a difficult time forming healthy relationships. She believes all of these will keep her from functioning enough to get a job. In my opinion she should have seeked therapy as it might have helped her function. Because she does not think she can get a job where she won't get fired and is running out of the money she's been living on (money sent to her by well-wishers who know about the murders of her family), she winds up selling family memorabilia to the Kill Club. The Kill Club is a horrible group of people obsessed with murders. They challenge Libby's idea that her brother was the murder that fateful night of January 3, 1985. Throughout the book the readers are told (in flashbacks) about the events of that night and events leading up to it. All is told through the point of view of Libby, Ben, and Patty, their mother. Readers, like Libby, will begin to question whether Libby at the young age of 7 was correct in stating her brother was the murderer. I know it seems as if just by knowing that readers will think "okay so then Ben probably wasn't the killer." Trust me, there's a lot you won't see coming and it's all worth the ride. The fact that it's so fast paced and makes you turn the pages like a madman/madwomen, adds to the enjoyment level.
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
I must state that this book had its merits, but it also had its downsides. I found myself unable to like the Kill Club, including Lyle. No matter what any of them say, they're just using Libby for their own entertainment and that is effed up. I will never find myself being okay with that. Libby played along because she wanted the money, which I think was horrible, yet I can see where her thought process was on that issue. Either way, she should have seeked therapy to help her. She did not need to resort to selling her family's items.
Concerning Libby's entire family; they are so flawed. All of them. I liked that. Don't get me wrong, it was unfortunate for them. For their flaws, I can understand why readers might find the family (even the younger sisters) unlikeable, but hey! People are like this in real life! I liked the honesty in this book. No matter how "messed" up everyone in this book was, you will find people like this in real life. Hopefully someone can come into their life and help them.
When I think about it, Libby and her family were not the only ones with mental issues. Pretty much every single character in this book had a problem.
In reference to memories, I had never thought about this issue before until I volunteered with an organization that helps children who have been abused. another organization had spoken to us about how back in the day, children who have gone through a trauma, were interviewed incorrectly. this led to false testimonies and many other consequences. one of the worst things that occurred was that the child would be forced to relive the trauma over and over because they would have to retell their story to numerous people like the local policemen, FBI, mother, father, aunt, etc. obviously this was not a good way to go about things. not only does it negatively affect the child, but what the child is saying may gradually change. it's not that the child is lying, but memories change the more you conjure them. It does not help when cops (they shouldn't do this anymore) used to ask children questions phrased in a way that would cause the child to believe something else occurred. for example, a cop may have asked a child "that man touched you didn't he? he hurt you? where did he hurt you?" the child might then start to believe that an event that did not occur, did in fact occur. the child will start to think that they were hurt by someone. If someone keeps repeating the same question to the child, "did you get touched by that man?" the child may end up giving the "right" answer, or the answer they believe the adults want to hear. they may then end up thinking the event really occurred. memories are a fragile thing. fascinating though. you're supposed to ask a child something like "what happened that day?" not "did he touch you?" I learned a lot of this from my psychology classes and research by Deborah Poole (among others). Look at something interesting a professor of psychology, Stephen Ceci, stated:
Our review of typical interviews from the 1980s shows many investigators blindly pursued a single hypothesis: Sexual abuse occurred. They would reinforce that hypothesis to the children, who would be led to believe in it.
It is essential to keep in mind now that most children with such implanted memories will have believed in their allegations of abuse for far longer than they were alive before those allegations first surfaced. Those 'implanted' memories are no less visceral than real-life memories.
Remember, this book took place in the 80's.
Quote:
Libby's father, Runner, talking to her:
"How long it's been since I seen you, little girl? You get that flamingo ashtray I sent you?" The flamingo ashtray I got more than two decades ago, when I was a nonsmoking ten-year-old.
Possible spoilers:
I feel that if Ben hadn't continued to be in an effed up relationship with Diondra, maybe he would have been better off. He may not have been as angry. All she did was tear him down. She and her step-brother Trey continually lowered his self-esteem. There is a reason that shouldn't happen to people. it can make them ANGRY! Anger leads to violence. Bad, bad things.
As for Michelle, I can completely see that girl growing up to be just like Ben. Demented, almost. By the end of the book, I wondered if there was a mental illness running in the family. Maybe not Patty, or their father (although alcoholism is technically a mental illness I don't mean that kind), but someone before them. Or maybe there was something in the water. *shrug* It's just interesting how Michelle, Ben, Trey, Deondra, and Crystal, were all off the wall. Okay, it was pretty much everyone in this book.
Movie News:
October 2010 - Movie rights to DARK PLACES sold!
Im thrilled to announce that the movie rights to DARK PLACES have been sold, with French director Gilles Paquet-Brenner to adapt and direct. Gilles most recent film is a beautiful (and harrowing and suspenseful and elegant) adaptation of Tatiana de Rosnays internationally bestselling novelSarahs Key, to be released in the United States in 2011. More news soon!
-Gillian Flynn
Resembles:
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn- If you liked S.O, you will like Dark Places. Psychological thriller + family issues = fun reading times. Well, not "fun" like jump up and down on a moonwalk but you know what I mean.
Criminal Minds (T.V show) - also deals with the workings of the inner mind
Dexter (T.V show) - ditto
I hated this book. There was SO much bad language I couldn't enjoy it. Would not recommend to anyone.
