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).