I feel like the last person to read this book by Gillian Flynn. I don’t know why I didn’t read it earlier, I like clever thrillers, but somehow I just didn’t get around to it. I was partly put off by the range of reviews of Amazon, I must admit, from 5 stars to 2 stars. This is definitely a Marmite book: love it or hate it. But then the publicity for the film started and I always like to read the book before I see the film, so… I got it from the library.
Gone Girl is about the fracturing of a five-year old marriage. We get both points of view: Nick the husband, Amy the wife. Basically one day, Amy disappears. There are signs of a struggle in the house. Nick goes predictably quickly from being lost husband to prime suspect. I have to admit. I did not like Amy from page one of her diary, her language is so OTT and flowery. “I am fat with love! Husky with ardor! Morbidly obese with devotion! A happy, busy bumblebee of marital enthusiasm.” Ugh. Neither was I overly keen on Nick, I guess overall I found it overwritten and both characters seemed self-indulgent.
It’s impossible to review this book without spoilers, so I will stop there. Suffice to say, I raced through it, I enjoyed it. I enjoyed it enough to read more by the same author.
Gone Girl practically spawned a new genre: twisty marriage thrillers. To understand the genre, you have to start with this book. I bet Gillian Flynn [below] didn’t know what she was starting.
Click here to visit Gillian Flynn’s website.
If you like ‘Gone Girl’, try these thrillers:-
‘Wolf Winter’ by Cecilia Ekback
‘Stolen Child’ by Laura Elliot
‘Wolf’ by Mo Hayder
‘Gone Girl’ by Gillian Flynn [UK: W&N] Buy now
And if you’d like to tweet a link to THIS post, here’s my suggested tweet:
GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn http://wp.me/p5gEM4-Yp #bookreview via @SandraDanby
My book club read Gone Girl… and I probably wouldn’t have encountered it otherwise. But it was a success, the characters getting under our skins and eliciting vehement responses. Clever.
Yes, I will definitely read more of hers. SD
Thank you for this review, Sandra. This book wasn’t even on my TBR list. It is now. I must confess that it will not be high priority read, however I’ll give it a chance.
That’s what I did, I gave it a chance and liked it better than I expected. Just go into it with realistic expectations. 🙂 SD
Gone Girl will have its chance to be read. This might well be an autumn read as there are books with a (review) deadline. 🙂
I’ve read all of Gillian Flynn’s novels, and while I enjoyed “Gone Girl,” it’s probably my least favorite. I feel like it had so much potential to be an incredible novel, but it just fizzled at the end. “Sharp Objects” is my favorite of her books. I could hardly bring myself to put that one down until I finished it.
I agree about the ending. Will try ‘Sharp Objects’ now after your recommendation. Thx. SD
sounds interesting. I mean I want to read it but not yet.
I kept putting off reading it, until I got the overdue notice from the library. Glad I did. SD
Nope, I haven’t read this yet either but that’s about to change…
I seem to have converted quite a few people here, maybe I should explain the spike in sales to Gillian Flynn! SD
…but discuss commission before you do!
Nope, you’re not the last one. And I’ve got several books higher on my list so it will still be some time before I get around to this one. I got the last Mo Hayder book…finally. And I’m busy rushing through my current read to get started on it. 😉 I just love, LOVE Jack Caffery.
I know, I’m a Jack Caffery fan now too. I love finding new series like this! SD
I wasn’t keen on the character of Nick either, but I still enjoyed the book, which is unusual if i can’t identify with the protagonist on some level. I don’t think I’ll see the film though, I mean once you know the ending what’s the point. 🙂
Yes… I wasn’t convinced by the ending. SD
I haven’t read it either, it just didn’t appeal…
I know what you mean, it kept moving further down my to-read list. I was just curious about such mixed reviews. SD
*raises hand* I haven’t read this book yet either…..
I’d like to as you said, I’ve seen SO many mixed reviews!
Ha, that makes me feel better. 🙂 SD
Finally a book I may have read before you, ha ha! I too enjoyed the book but I really did not like the characters – they probably deserve each other, but you do feel sorry for the impending baby! I must admit the author sucked me right it at the start and my sympathy went out to Amy, until I read on.
Interesting, I did not like Amy from page 1. Can’t wait to see how Rosamund Pike plays her! SD
It’s a good one…I loved it! 🙂
Have you read any others by her? SD
No, I haven’t actually. At the moment I am deep into the new Donna Tart (the goldfinch) which is excellent 🙂
That’s on my to-read pile, I find its size intimidating! SD
I haven’t no. At the moment I am deep into the new Donna Tart book, ‘the goldfinch’ , which is excellent
If I replied twice I am sorry but on my Dads old computer at the moment!!!
Never mind! 🙂 SD
You’re not the last person to read it – I still haven’t read it! Iwill try & get to it before the film, like you I prefer to read the book first. Your review has encouraged me!
Once I surrendered myself to the story, stopped being irritated by the characters and tried to work them out, I raced through it! SD
Sound advice! That’s how I’ll approach it.