For Fiction Lovers

Our October group read is Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. Remember that this thread contains spoilers!

1. Did you think that Ben was guilty?

2. Did you like Libby's character? Patty?

3. Have you read Sharp Objects? If so, did you like it better than Dark Places? Did you notice similarities between the two?

4. How would you rate Dark Places 1-5?

1. Did you think that Ben was guilty? No. I didn't figure out who the murderer was until near the end but I never did think that Ben was guilty. He was too obvious of a choice.

2. Did you like Libby's character? No. She was very unlikable but I think that she was meant to be.  Patty? Yes

3. Have you read Sharp Objects? No, but I plan to.

4. How would you rate Dark Places 1-5? 4.5

1. Did you think that Ben was guilty?

I really didn't think Ben was guilty throughout the book, but at the end I did feel like he at least shared the guilt with Diondra for Michelle's murder. To me the fact that he didn't stop her from killing Michelle was almost as bad if not worse than if he had done it himself.

2. Did you like Libby's character? Patty?

I didn't like Libby at all at first, but she did grow on me as the book went on. I liked Patty throughout the book. I think I could identify with her on some level. Just as a mom trying her best to deal with taking care of multiple children, while trying to make ends meet at the same time. I was disappointed in her at the end though. I know she was trying to what was best for her kids by getting them her life insurance money, but I also felt like she was taking the easy way out and avoiding facing the issues of the farm and the accusations about Ben.

3. Have you read Sharp Objects? If so, did you like it better than Dark Places? Did you notice similarities between the two?

I didn't read Sharp Objects

4. How would you rate Dark Places 1-5?

I'd give it a 4. I really liked the way the story moved back and forth from present day to the day of the murders, and the way she uses all three voices to tell the story.