Friday, February 14, 2014

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

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? 
I've been sitting on this review trying to figure out how I truly feel about this book.  Well, I'm still conflicted.  On the one hand this was a book that I couldn't put down, on the other I despised the ending, the unnecessary crudity in the writing and the predictability of the storyline.   
 
Gone Girl has two distinct voices, Nick, the unconcerned husband, and Amy, the unhappy, unloved wife.  Both voices are strong, even if some of the things they are saying are a bit fishy.  From the start I didn't like Amy but I don't think that was the authors intent.  As I read on this feeling grew stronger even after discovering that Nick was no saint.  So there was never a "Oh my gosh" moment for me, I guess that is why I say this book is predictable. 
 
On the surface Gone Girl is a mystery, but mystery lovers will be highly disappointed.  It is nothing more than an ultra dark chick lit book.  Demented and disturbing don't even begin to describe the content within the covers of this book.  I'm all for a dark demented story but what I didn't need, and got beat over the head with, was the crude narrative from both characters.  It did nothing to enhance the voices of the characters or describe the situations, it just read as tawdry unnecessary words.
 
What I did love is how Gillian takes major marital issues like money, employment, children, infidelity, and trust and mixed them into a toxic formula that propels both characters to do things no practical human would ever consider.  This and this alone is what made the book compelling. However the reader doesn't know this is going on until halfway through the novel, so getting through the first 200 or so pages can drag. 
 
This will be a book that I will never forget and one that would make a great book club discussion. 
 
http://www.fredasvoice.com/2014/02/the-friday-56_13.html
 
New rides were introduced, including the Water Scooter - managed by an up-and-comer named Joe Rinaldi, who also ran the Dodgem cars - and a hair-raising new coaster, the Lake Placid Bobsled, whose steep drops and hairpin turns could hardly have been called "placid."
pg 56 of Palisades Park
 
 

11 comments:

Harvee said...

I have been conflicted about reading this book, but there are so many worthwhile things to discuss,as ytou pointed out, that I may just go ahead and get is a library read. Yes, it does seem like a good book club choise.
Harvee
Book Dilettante

Sandra Nachlinger said...

I've been hearing about GONE GIRL for quite a while but haven't read it yet. Now I'm not sure if I'd like it or not! PALISADES PARK, however, sounds like a story I'd enjoy. I enjoyed reading the excerpts you chose.
Here's the link to my Friday post: STRONGER THAN THE REST.

Beth W said...

I've been wanting to check this one out, but I HATE predictable endings, especially when it comes to thrillers....hrmmm......thanks for the review!

Yvonne said...

This sounds like it could be a good book.

Anonymous said...

Hm-m-m I'd have to read the first couple of pages to see if this is a book for me to read.

Catherine @ Book Club Librarian said...

Love your Friday 56--this is a book I've been wanting to read for some time now.

Also enjoyed your thoughts on Gone Girl. I was conflicted at first after finishing it, but ultimately decided that I liked it. It's the kind of book that readers either love or hate.

Thanks for visiting my blog.

Anne@HeadFullofBooks said...

My husband and I listened to Gone Girl together last summer while on a trip to Canada. We enjoyed all the plot twists. Other gals in my book club hated the book because they didn't like either of the main characters.

Anne's Friday Post

fredamans said...

Any book that someone says is one they will never forget, good or bad, I gotta red it!
Not so sure the latter would be for me though.

Happy weekend & happy Valentines day!

Brooke Showalter said...

I read this book last year, and my world stopped while I did. I had to just keep reading until I was finished, there was no stopping! And when I finished the book, I just felt shock, and also an emptiness. I still can recall how I felt reading it! Thank you for sharing it today, I enjoyed reminiscing about it!

I'd love for you to stop by my Friday 56 post.

Anonymous said...

I liked Gone Girl but I did hate the ending and the characters!

http://ilikebigbooksblog.wordpress.com/

Ricki Treleaven said...

Hmmm…..I think I'll skip it. I might read The Husband's Secret instead. I've heard LOTS about it, too. I think we're supposed to read Gone Girl for book club.

Your Friday 56 sounds interesting!!! :D

Thanks for linking-up to Literary Friday!

xo,
Ricki Jill