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Monday, August 6, 2012

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

About book:

Marriage can be a real killer.
   One of the most critically acclaimed suspense writers of our time,
New York Times bestseller Gillian Flynn takes that statement to its darkest place in this unputdownable masterpiece about a marriage gone terribly, terribly wrong. The Chicago Tribune proclaimed that her work “draws you in and keeps you reading with the force of a pure but nasty addiction.” Gone Girl’s toxic mix of sharp-edged wit and deliciously chilling prose creates a nerve-fraying thriller that confounds you at every turn.
   On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?
   As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?
   With her razor-sharp writing and trademark psychological insight, Gillian Flynn delivers a fast-paced, devilishly dark, and ingeniously plotted thriller that confirms her status as one of the hottest writers around.


My thoughts: (SPOILERS INCLUDED!)

Hmmm.  Where to begin?  Well, the writing was good.  It actually improved a bit in the second part, but that was mainly due to the fact that we no longer had to read those insipid diary entries.  Gosh, I hated reading those entries -they were so falsified that I didn't understand how the cops didn't realize it right away.  Seriously, could the cops have been more bumbling - talk about over the top stereotyping.  And where was that WOW factor that everyone kept raving about in their reviews of this book?  Did I get a copy of the book that was devoid of the WOW-ness?  Where were all the twists and turns?  I thought it was pretty obvious from the beginning that Amy was not that 'Amazing' and that she pretty much set her husband up to rot in jail.  I honestly could care less what happened to Amy or Nick.  When she got robbed, I didn't feel an iota of sorry for her at all.  Frankly, I didn't care what happened to Amy - she was a psychopath.  And, Nick - ugh! He was just so pointless - he had no character and I didn't feel badly for him at all. I just found these characters to be ridiculous caricatures of extremely unlikable people - so why would I empathize with any of them?  Oh, and I couldn't stand Margo's nickname!  Go? Seriously!? Why couldn't she just be called Margo? 

Crikey, I couldn't stand this book! I found myself having to take a break from it at one point, because I wasn't even sure I wanted to find out what happened next.  I just found myself getting tired with the story and wanting it to end already.  It was pretty clear early on that Nick was going to wind up with Amy and that she would be having the last word, regardless of whatever realizations he may have come to.  Even now as I write this, weeks after reading this book, I still can't figure out what it was that made everyone excited about this book.  Was there something I missed?  Nah, I doubt it.  I think that at the end of the day, I just didn't like the book. Oh well, I can't always be on the same page as everyone else, right?

Alright, well I'm off to continue reading The Fault In Our Stars by John Green - a book that is turning out to be such a treat to read (I do get why everyone loves this book).

18 comments:

Lindsey said...

I just finished this book and, while I didn't pick up on all of the twists as quickly as you did, I was sort of left with a bad taste in my mouth at the end. That is some creepy stuff.

Nadia said...

Lindsey, definitely creepy. I just think that I expected too much from this book based on reviews I'd read about and when it didn't hit that WOW factor, I was left disappointed. Oh well.

Bellezza said...

Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't like this book (which I've long had on my wishlist). That certainly gives me a heads up, as I usually am crazy about thrillers!

I, too, want to get to The Fault in Our Stars. I've heard nothing but the highest praise for it, including from one of my colleagues who said he cried! So, I'm sure I'll buy it; perhaps as a back-to-school treat for myself? :)

Nadia said...

Bellezza, I think I was just disappointed, because I was able to figure things out before the big reveals and that always rots (especially when that is what is supposed to be the WOW factor of the book). Also, I just hated the characters, so that didn't help. Either way, I'm definitely up for reading your thoughts on the book once you've had the chance to read it. And as far as THE FAULT IN OUR STARS go - OMG! I am loving the book so much! I've already cried and laughed so much I just can't believe how much I've fallen in love with these characters. Definitely get this book as a treat for yourself - you will not be disappointed (I promise!).

Ti said...

I am almost done so I did not read your review yet but I'll buzz you in a bit.

Nadia said...

Ti, can't wait to find out what you thought of this one!

Jennifer | Mrs Q Book Addict said...

/i read this one last week, and I liked it and hated it at the same time. The ending was too strange for me.

Ti said...

Thank you. My review posts later this week but I too, did not get the "wow" factor.

Amy was horrible as was Nick and the story was just ridiculous.

Bellezza said...

Okay, I will get The Fault in Our Stars straight away! :)

Nadia said...

Mrs Q Book Addict, I can definitely see why you would like and hate it at the same time - its just one of those types of books.

Ti, can't wait to read your review! I'm glad I'm not the only one who didn't get the "wow" factor :) Yes, Amy was psycho and so was Nick - the story was too over the top.

Bellezza, yay! You will love The Fault In Our Stars!! :)

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

I actually loved this book, absolutely loved it! I do love the dark and twisted stories that Gillian Flynn tells and this ranked right up there. I hated all of the characters but I absolutely enjoyed the book and found it was well-paced. I'm so sorry you didn't like it :(

Elizabeth said...

Hearing mixed feeling about this book every place I look. hmmmmm.

Elizabeth
Silver's Reviews
http://silversolara.blogspot.com

Nadia said...

Natalie, dark and twisted can be good, but I just couldn't dig this book. The characters were too over the top and those twists were too predictable. Oh well, I'm glad you loved the book. Sounds like you really enjoyed it :)

Elizabeth, yes, I've read some mixed reviews, too. I'm glad I'm not alone in not loving the book.

Alaska Fishing Lodges said...

I read one of the first unfavorable reviews of this book yesterday on Farmlane Books and now yours! I was convinced you'd love this one and now I feel like an ass. Sorry! But your review really does solidify my desire to read French. I swear I'm going to try one of hers before 2012 is over!

Amit Agarwal said...

I was apprehensive about the book...having read all other reviews...like' c'mon, it can't be that shocking can it? But it is...it seriously really is...
Every story does have two sides to it....two very sick twisted and shocking sides...

Best Alaska Fishing Sitka AK said...

Easy to read. My sister suggested it and I was skeptical since I am one of those people that stick to the same author. I was very pleased that I branched out!

Visit my site for Fishing Lodge Alaska Information said...

Read it!! I've read this author's prior two novels and they were good. This is fantastic! Start with this one if you are new to Ms. Flynn.

Hannah Bailey said...

I've heard that the author's other two books were no where near as good as this one. I'll just have to wait for the next one and hopefully there WILL BE a next one! In the meantime...have fun with this book because you most certainly will.

Hannah
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