Riveting but brutal

Dark Places is a fascinating story but not a fun read. The book takes pity on no one, least of all it's readers. This truly is the stuff of nightmares, one sadistic chapter bleeding over into the next. Although a work of fiction, Ms. Flynn's unflinching wordsmanship embues it with the realism of a true-crime whodunit. The saving grace, for me at least, was that I could repeat the mantra, "It's only make-believe" when the scenes became a little too intense for my sensitive nature.

Although I covet Ms. Flynn's talent, I wouldn't take it at any price if it meant having to live in her head (ditto Stephen King). Dark Places is not just an aptly-named novel, but probably an apt description of the author's warped imaginings. If I knew then what I know now, I would have stopped at "Gone Girl" and skipped this one entirely. And yet, as incongruous as it seems, I wholeheartedly recommend "Dark Places", just as I recommended "Gone Girl". The reason is simple: Despite the fact that they were dark and foreboding, that certain scenes will likely haunt me for a very long time, and that I can honestly say that I don't miss the characters (no, not a single one!), I am forced to admit that I thought they were riveting from start to finish. So, while I didn't like this book, I did love it.

And now, I'm going to run, not walk, to my bookshelf and find my copy of "Little Women" or "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" and try to subdue some of the ghosts from "Dark Places".

403 people found this helpful

unrealistic ending

Although "Gone Girl's" ending was more preposterous, the ending of this one is pretty far-fetched. It's an ok story til the end. Narrators are fair. Overall an ok book but nothing better.

16 people found this helpful

Very Dark but Flynn's weakest offering so far

I enjoyed listening to "Dark Places" very much but found the ending disappointing. Flynn seems to test the limits of "no way that could happen" a bit too much in this novel. Too many coincidences. Flynn also delves a little too deep into grotesque description at points while ignoring more elaborate description at other points. I found just about every character incredibly unlikeable (more below). Lastly, the narrator who narrated Libby Day was a spot on choice for the voice of Libby. She used this desperate, beaten down defeated tone that really matched the character. Beyond that, her range was very limited. Several of the characters had the same voice including Diane, Lyle and Ben. If a character spoke without an introduction like "Diane said" sometimes I thought it was Ben speaking. I think she could be a very good narrator if she broadened her range.
*******SPOILERS*******
The premise of two murders happening about 45 minutes apart for two completely separate reasons took too much suspension of disbelief. the novel builds and builds to a who "dunnit" conclusion and it seems like Flynn took the easy way out. Additionally, one of the most unlikeable characters was the mother. Sure, Runner and all were awful people but the mother was an absolute failure as a parent and mother and the "out" she takes in the end was ridiculous. Flynn should have given her a history of suicidal tendencies or some background to suddenly account for the "mom planned her death" as a conclusion. Also, the description of the assault on the cow as unnecessarily grotesque and prolonged. At the same time, when Lyle picks up Libby at the gas station near the end and wants to take her to the police, Libby "said some awful things." It's like Flynn got near the end of the book and figured, I have to wrap this up. Here was a chance for Libby to expose her flawed, judgmental attitude and Flynn took a pass.
Anyway, I did enjoy the book despite then bizarre ending. Harsh review but based upon Flynn's other work, I have to downgrade this one.

24 people found this helpful

Dark indeed

Gillian Flynn writes books that hook the reader quickly, but always leave this reader feeling a little bit "less" after reading. It certainly was a dark story about broken people. At least a little tiny bit of hope lingers at the end.

35 people found this helpful

Ok story, but a bit gruesome

I did not particularly enjoy this book. The narration was excellent, but the book was pretty gruesome, and I didn't really latch on the caring who killed the family. The whole book I just wanted it to end. I give it three stars for the narration and the authors ability to tie the story together with segments from many different perspectives.

21 people found this helpful

To many Coincidences!

What did you like best about Dark Places? What did you like least?

I enjoyed the characters and there dark pasts/secrets. I really did not like how coincidental everything was. This was more like 2 stories merging into one, which can be good or bad, and for me it was to predictable. What really made me go 'seriously..' was Patty Day learned that Ben may have kept the little girls underwear...right before Ben buys a bag of underwear, used...for his to be daughter. LIKE CMON! After that I was very disappointed, the ax was right where it needed to be...the stories made to much sense. The ending did not make my jaw drop.

What could Gillian Flynn have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Less coincidences, less predictable.

Which character – as performed by the narrators – was your favorite?

Libby

Was Dark Places worth the listening time?

Ya - I wouldn't waste a credit on it though

9 people found this helpful

Not Gillian's best work

I loved "Gone Girl" and "Sharp Objects" but "Dark Places" is just awful. Her other two books were disturbing, but not needlessly, this felt forced and unnecessary. Even at the end of the book, I didn't care about a single character so the plot wasn't riveting. I highly recommend her other books, but not this one.

9 people found this helpful

Gone Girl first?

If you loved Gone Girl, chances are you looked for her other titles, as did I. Don't expect the same layered mythology and larger than life characters. But, do look forward to an exciting thriller working backward from present day Libby, the lone survivor of a family massacre. Her brother's backstory is the most interesting. He is currently behind bars for the murders, and pleads innocence. Dark, engaging, and well read by the female narrators. I didn't care for the male narrator, but it didn't detract from the overall performance. Gillian Flynn is one of those rare authors who learns and improves with each novel. Gone Girl was amazing, and Dark Places a solid read. Can't wait to see what she churns out next.

192 people found this helpful

Jumbled up mess

One of the worst books I've listened to. It was clumsy, cluttered and crass. I thought it would never end and when it did I breathed a sigh of relief and said "Finally!"

7 people found this helpful

Tragic and Unforgettable

Having just finished the author’s newest work (Girl Gone) I decided to give one of her other novels a try. What I found was a heart wrenching story of a troubled family so nuanced, so real, I’m having a hard time letting go.

There are three main voices to the narrative; Libby, in the story’s present day of 2009, narrates her struggle to feel safe and stable in the world (both financially and emotionally) as she re-opens the questions surrounding the night her family was killed. In alternate chapters, her mother Patty and her brother Ben take us back to that horrible day in the winter of 1985 that started out badly, and ended so much worse. These flashbacks are time stamped; starting in the morning, and slowly, surely, working their way to that night, and to the truth that’s been hidden for so long.

This is a story of hurt, damaged people told with gritty nuance and no sympathy for the cringing reader. No punches are pulled as the author proceeds to create a stark, uncomfortable, and painful world that engulfs you completely. Listening to this story won’t be “entertaining”, but it will be memorable.

Be aware that this book contains a lot of explicit material of all sorts; language, violence, and sexual content.

The narrators are superb (although I wish a younger sounding narrator had been chosen to represent Ben) and Libby’s voice will continue to play in your head long after you’ve stopped listening.

It’s only June, but I may have found my top novel of the year.

126 people found this helpful