Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
I received this book for free from Library for review consideration, opinions expressed are 100% my own. This post contains affiliate links as indicated by an asterisk. Purchases from these links provides a small commission to me at no extra cost to you.
Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnPublished by Random House LLC
Publication Date: 2012
Genres: Fiction, General, Mystery & Detective, Suspense, Thrillers
Setting: USA-Missouri
Pages: 419
Format: Hardcover
Source: Library
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Goodreads
Captivating and twisted story. Complex characters challenging preconceived notions of right and wrong and testing the limits of love and marriage.
Synopsis from Goodreads:
“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?”
My Thoughts:
Gone Girl is the story of Nick and Amy, a seemingly yuppie couple living in Manhattan who lose their jobs and move to the Missouri suburbs to care or Nick’s ailing parents. While they seem to complement each other initially (like Amy’s type A personality NYC wealthy upbringing to Nick’s more laid-back, popular guy, easy-going mentality), their differences and struggling finances fuel their resentment to one another. Even their anniversaries are stressful as Amy sets up treasure hunts pointing Nick to locations of special memories for her but most of the time Nick can’t even figure out the clues.
By their fifth anniversary, both of them are miserable and the love is gone. Amy vanishes after leaving the treasure hunt clues for their anniversary and making Nick breakfast. The house looks like a struggle took place, her blood was found and cleaned up in the kitchen and the living room is in disarray with furniture thrown about. What transpires is a media circus surrounding Nick who doesn’t seem upset enough that his wife disappeared until he really becomes the prime suspect for her murder. Does he really want the woman found who makes him feel like a failure? Without her, it looks like he murdered her even though her body hasn’t turned up.
This is the first book I have read by Ms. Flynn and it certainly warrants the rave reviews it’s received so far. She gives a different view of marriage and what drives people to make the choices they do. What is a perfect marriage anyway, is there such a thing? Ms. Flynn also explores the parent-child relationship. Amy’s parents have profited from her childhood and turned her into “amazing Amy” a line of best-selling books. Amy, an only child, feels pressured to be amazing in everything she does, but that level of perfection and achieving parents high expectations gets tiresome. How does she deal with these expectations? I never guessed what would transpire in this story, it was full of so many twists and turns and it’s hard to write much without spoilers.
This was a suspenseful and quick read. The story and characters captivated me, I never knew what would happen next. I look forward to reading other stories by Ms. Flynn. Her style is much like Diane Chamberlain who is my favorite author. Very complex characters, testing the preconceived notions of right and wrong in a very twisted, suspenseful story.
Favorite Quotes:
“Love makes you want to be a better man. But maybe love, real love, also gives you permission to just be the man you are.”
“There’s a difference between really loving someone and loving the idea of her.”
“My mother had always told her kids: if you’re about to do something, and you want to know if it’s a bad idea, imagine seeing it printed in the paper for all the world to see.”
“I was told love should be unconditional. That’s the rule, everyone says so. But if love has no boundaries, no limits, no conditions, why should anyone try to do the right thing ever? If I know I am loved no matter what, where is the challenge? I am supposed to love Nick despite all his shortcomings. And Nick is supposed to love me despite my quirks. But clearly, neither of us does. It makes me think that everyone is very wrong, that love should have many conditions. Love should require both partners to be their very best at all times.”
Books Like This You Might Enjoy
No One Knows by J.T. Ellison – a 5* thriller about a husband’s disappearance and a wife desperate to find the truth
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins – a 5* thriller about a wife’s disappearance
The Silent Sister by Diane Chamberlain – a 5* thriller about a sister’s apparent suicide
The Gates of Evangeline by Hester Young – a 5* thriller about a child’s disappearance
If you read it, what did you think of Gone Girl? Who do you think should play Nick and Amy if a movie is made? What other books have you read that are similar to this? I am always looking for good suggestions of books to read!
I haven’t read this book, but I did start to watch the movie and with the kids around I decided it would be better to watch it without them. I haven’t had the chance to do it yet. I am intrigued to watch this movie. The book sounds good too.
Thank you for sharing such a well-written book review. I love books with a passion, and you’re right sometimes the books are so good that it’s really hard to write up a review without giving to much away.
Good move on not watching it with the kids. This book was creepy good and one my hubby was warned to not watch with me. 🙂 thanks for the compliment, I don’t want to give spoilers cause that ruins all the fun! I have enjoyed doing readalongs where I clearly announce spoilers so we can really discuss everything about the book, twists and turns included 🙂
Love the review. I felt the same. Could not put the book down.
Thanks Renita. Have you read her other books? I just heard that Dark Places is becoming a movie this year too so want to read it before it comes out.
Love this book! Read it in my book club, and couldn’t put it down. Gillian Flynn really delves into the warped minds of her characters. It made me wonder the whole time how an author is talented enough to know characters like that so well to bring them to life so vividly. Some of my friends didn’t like it because it was so intense and brutal, but their chick lit is not my thing!
I have not read fiction in a while but your review of how the twists and turns don’t end have me very intrigued!
Hi! I just saw your post in the book club and wanted to come say hi.
I really liked this book as well. There were several twists and turns. I know some people didn’t like the way it ended but it was very Amy. It seemed to fit.
Ginger
Ugh! I *so* need to read this book. Thank you for your review! I enjoyed the quick summary and am going to add it to my Christmas Wishlist now 🙂
-Sarah
http://www.sweetandsavorylife.com
http://www.facebook.com/sweetandsavorylife
Hi Sarah, yea I have not met one person who called it boring or predictable so that’s a good sign! I hope you get it, but I snagged mine from the library, it was worth the wait!
Thanks for stopping by and hope you return soon! ~ Tanya
When I looked at your goodreads page I said DianeC is her obvious favourite author 🙂 I haven’t tried her before, which one would you recommend to start with?
Oh yes, she is my favorite! I have a personal connection with Diane and I briefly met her a couple times at my doctor’s office of all places. We share RA (which she writes about on her blog too) and it’s been hard for me to find an actual person that I can talk to about it. We became Facebook friends, she is a local author, and just a genuinely warm, nice person. She isn’t compensating me in any way, my opinions in my blog are very honest, but I am happy to support her work. She does Skype or in person visits with book clubs and I am hoping we can get her to come talk to mine!
I can relate to the characters and even some of the places in NC she describes. It gives another dimension to my enjoyment of the book because I can really feel like I am right there. The Midwife’s Confession is my favorite about three best friends and coping with the loss of one of them and The Good Father is her most recent and the relationship between daddy and daughter makes your heart melt. I would start with those and then work your way backwards to her older ones, that’s what I am doing! 🙂
I appreciate the visit and the comment and hope you will stop by again soon!
I will have to check into this book! I always love hearing recommendations from people that have actually read the book!
Thanks for stopping by Barbara! You won’t be sorry or bored reading this one, Ms. Flynn captures your attention from the get-go and captivates you to the end. Hope you will visit again soon, I am always reading something and I usually just share on my blog the ones I really like! ~ Tanya
I loved this book. I think that the character development was absolutely brilliant. It left me guessing with all the twists and turns the book kept taking. Have definitely become a fan of Gillian Flynn. Read two of her other books and was blown away again – she is an amazing writer.
I agree Kiran, this book made my head spin with all the twists and turns it took. Nothing is unconceivable. Gone Girl has to be one of my top 3 favorite books, right along with The Midwife’s Confession by Diane Chamberlain and The Count of Monte Cristo (which was my fave as a teen and I scarcely read for pleasure back then, I probably owe it a re-read). What are your favorite books? I appreciate you stopping by Kiran and hope to hear from you again soon!
I have also become a fan of hers and will also read her other books!