There are very few books that leave me speechless after reading them. I usually need something mind blowing, crazy and intense to leave me utterly quiet. The novel Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn left me wordless (at least for a few hours anyway). I needed an entire day to wrap my head around what I had just read. It was so good I began listening to it on audiobook and finished reading it on my kindle. I had a hard time putting it down. I was engaged with the story right from the beginning.
Gone Girl is more than just a mystery. It's about two very flawed complex characters, their tumultuous relationship and the actions that led them to the choices they made.
Nick and Amy Dunne have been married for five years. Five very long, unhappy years. The first years of their marriage were picture perfect. Newlyweds who were deliriously happy. Soon the novelty wore off and both character's true colors appeared.
Originally Nick and Amy met, fell in love, and started their marriage in New York. Layoffs in the field of journalism as well as family illness led them to return to Nick's home town in Missouri. Amy is now unemployed and taking care of Nick's sick parents. Nick runs a bar with his sister Go. On their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing. What happens next is told from alternating point of views, Amy's diary and Nick's present thoughts.
Part of what makes this story so suspenseful, is that you read Amy's past thoughts and opinions leading up to her disappearance and you hear Nick's reactions to what is happening presently. It was an intense, psychological story of what can go insanely wrong in a marriage.
There are several choice words I can use to describe the MCs of this book: Cynical, sarcastic, selfish, self absorbed, petty, needy, crazy, insane, funny. I kept asking myself if it was possible to love a book and hate the central characters? The answer to that questions is a big fat YES!!!!!
I loved the blurred lines between good and bad. I had a love hate (mostly hate) relationship with both Nick and Amy. There were many moments where I thought to myself oh yeah he is wrong. Then other times where I thought oh no she is horrendous. By the last 10% I was so shocked by the events that occurred, I didn't know what to think. The ending was perfect. (view spoiler)[ It was crazy perfect and definitely went with the overall feeling of the book. I don't think any other ending would have done the book justice. (hide spoiler)]
This ending may not sit well with many and doesn't follow the typical form of most suspense novels. As a result, I've come up with a list of questions.
I recommend this book to those who can answer yes to the following questions:
1) Do you enjoy excellent writing? 2) Do you enjoy unexpected plot twists? 3) Can you handle a lot of suspense? 4) Can you handle characters that aren't so likable, but still fascinating to read about?
If you can answer yes to these questions, then take a chance and read this brilliant, crazy tale.
Gone Girl was a one of a kind novel that took me on a mind bending ride. Gillian Flynn's smart, dark, and witty storytelling is definitely an experience. Five stars from this very picky book snob.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that Gone Girl is so good, they are making it into a movie. Filming has already started and the movie will be out in 2014! Starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike.
MK~ Picky Girl
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Books:
suspense
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