The Grownup: A Story by the Author of Gone Girl
A canny young woman is struggling to survive by perpetrating various levels of mostly harmless fraud. On a rainy April morning, she is reading auras at Spiritual Palms when Susan Burke walks in. A keen observer of human behavior, our unnamed narrator immediately diagnoses beautiful, rich Susan as an unhappy woman eager to give her lovely life a drama injection. However, when the "psychic" visits the eerie Victorian home that has been the source of Susan's terror and grief, she realizes she may not have to pretend to believe in ghosts anymore. Miles, Susan's teenage stepson, doesn't help matters with his disturbing manner and grisly imagination. The three are soon locked in a chilling battle to discover where the evil truly lurks and what, if anything, can be done to escape it.
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Community Reviews
Really did not like most of the story but the ending was really interesting. Wonder which of the stories told was the truth.
I read this because I'm doing a readathon today and it's really short. But it's hilarious, terrifying, and kind of awesome. Unfortunately it's not without a little bit of a plot hole, but it's forgivable. I can't say what it is without spoiling the story though but we can discuss if you read it.
A quick read that I read in one 20-30 minute sitting.
This is typical Gillian Flynn with practically flawless writing. A little creepy. A little suspenseful. A little screwed up. Even a little funny - "And I never worked holidays, because holiday hand jobs are sad for everyone." The characters are typical (for her books) as well - not one is particularly likeable.
I never thought of it before reading this, but I'd love to someday see a Gillian Flynn short story collection.
This is typical Gillian Flynn with practically flawless writing. A little creepy. A little suspenseful. A little screwed up. Even a little funny - "And I never worked holidays, because holiday hand jobs are sad for everyone." The characters are typical (for her books) as well - not one is particularly likeable.
I never thought of it before reading this, but I'd love to someday see a Gillian Flynn short story collection.
3.5 rounded up
This was my first taste of Gillian Flynn and I have to say, I really liked it. The writing was sharp and engaging; I loved the pace of it. The story had a great build up of nerves, especially given how short it was. The ending has me a little confused, I would’ve preferred a little bit *more* but all in all, I really liked it. Flynn accomplished quite a lot in 62 pages. I’m excited to read more of her things in the future.
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