Book Description:
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.
Review:
This is the hardest book to review. The. Hardest. I can't tell you any more that what is written in the book description, because I try really hard not to include spoilers.
I can honestly say, that I've never read a book that I loved and hated.
I realize that I am kind of late to the Gone Girl party, but I did get it read before I watched the movie. So I felt like I accomplished my goal. I downloaded it a long, long time ago. Several friends had recommended it, and I really thought I would dive right into it. Then the next day (not really, but time does fly, you know) I saw the movie preview and started thinking about reading it again. Then one day a friend wanted to read it, and then see the movie. So we made a date for the movie, and HAD to read the book.
When I finally started reading the book, I was just like almost everyone else. I was sucked into the story, and hated to put the book down. I was told it was a physcological thriller, that would be true. I was told that it was twisted, that too, would be true. I was not told about the ending. If someone would have been so kind to tell me about the ending, I might not have even read Gone Girl. All I will tell you about the ending is that it is wrong! So, so wrong! I don't think I've ever read a book that the ending literally made me mad. Mad enough that McD knew something was wrong, and asked me about it. I'm sure he had no idea what he was getting into when I had to explain the whole story, and then how it ended.
I have a friend that seems to take endings like these in stride. She says that in real life we rarely see the fairy tale endings, and this ending just seemed realistic to her. I see her point, and that did help my frame of mind, some.
I won't tell you what happens at the end, but I will tell you that I really, really liked this book. Well, until the ending, but I am okay with it now. This is a must read book if you like to keep wondering where the plot will take you. Well done, Gillian Flynn.
Now, about the movie. I will say that I didn't like the movie. I don't know if it was because I did read the book first, and there was absolutely zero suspense for me. Or if it was because it was just so slow!
Those are my two cents on Gone Girl. What are yours?
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