Thursday, June 7, 2012

Book Review: Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl was a surprise for me. I read the first part and thought, OK, pretty good who-done-it. Was it the husband? Doesn't seem like it... Dragging a little, then WHAM! The second part. I was hooked.

Amy disappears on her and her husband, Nick's, fifth wedding anniversary. Life has been difficult for both of them They had to relocate to Nick's hometown in Missouri after losing their writing jobs in New York and after Nick's parents both were ill. Amy had always been from New York so the adjustment was difficult but she's doing her best.

Nick, from the start, appears to be more unhappy than Amy. Mostly with his marriage. We get a lot of inner dialog that makes it appear that things are not what they seem. And, after Nick returns home to find Amy missing and the living room turned upside down, we find out just how messed up things can be.

There are many nuances to Gone Girl that make it rich. Amy's parents are famous authors who wrote books based on Amy as a young girl. Nick and his sister buy a bar in Missouri, using Amy's money. I could go on, but just know that everything we learn adds to the story.

The worst part of Gone Girl is Part 1. It just went on way too long. The initial investigation of the disappearance just dragged....at about half way through, things change dramatically at the beginning of Part 2, and then it all means something. So, just be patient.

The characters are colorful, to say the least. I particularly liked the relationship and dialog between Nick and his sister. Everyone, Amy's parents, the police, the best-friend, seemed like authentic, realistic characters. Since I live close to St. Louis, the Missouri setting was especially interesting to me.

The twists and turns are delicious. I can't say I particularly enjoyed the ending, but it was appropriate. I haven't read any other books by Flynn, but I'm putting her on my list. I'm ready for some more. Gone Girl is totally appropriate for older teens who like this type of crime story. There is some violence and a bit of sex, but nothing too explicit.

Published by Crown, June 5, 2012
eBook obtained from NetGalley
432 pages

Rating: 4/5




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6 comments:

  1. I just started this and I am waiting for the WHAM moment :-) I didn't read the rest of your review since i'm reading it so will have to come back.

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  2. Hi Annette. This has been a highly anticipated book for me and I am glad to see that you enjoyed it. I am curious about the ending now. Thanks for your review.

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  3. Great review, Annette! I've read the author's other books and they are superb. Definitely start with her first, Sharp Objects, the setting will be familiar :) since I grew up in Illinois, her books seem that much more realistic too me too.

    Heather
    bewitchedbookworms.com

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  4. I had to come back - I didn't enjoy as I anticipated. The 1st part took 50% of the book, way to slow, the 2nd good but I hated the ending, sigh.

    If interested - http://teawithmarce.blogspot.com/2012/06/review-gone-girl-by-gillian-flynn.html

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  5. This reminds me of the reviews for Ian McEwan's new book, although obviously that's going to be a lot different. But both are about male expectations of females, and are deceptive in some way.

    Marlene Detierro (Fishing Lodge Alaska)

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  6. Love Gillian's books. Definitely adding this one to my wishlist.

    Great review.

    Mica
    Visit my site for Seattle Senior Housing Hearthstone

    ReplyDelete

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