Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn {Book Review}
I had a long internal debate with myself whether or not I should share a recipe with you guys today but because it wasn’t very festive, considering the spooky holiday and all, I opted for a spooky book review instead. Except I wouldn’t really consider this a spooky book. By the way, how many more times do you think I can say the word spooky in this post? ;)
Although this book has been popular for quite some time, I’m usually not into dark plots so I never took the time to bother seeing what the fuss was about. Then one of my best girl friends sent me a copy to take with me on my trip to Europe so I thought, why not?
Well I ended-up loving it! So much, in fact, that I made Brandon go see the movie with me afterwards. I couldn’t help but write my review with spoilers so if you’re interested in reading the book then I wouldn’t scroll past the brief summary. But I will say that, although I thought the movie was good, the book was much better! You should definitely read it first.
Brief Summary
Set in North Carthage Missouri, Gone Girl tells the story of writer Nick Dunne and his beautiful wife, Amy. It all begins on their fifth wedding anniversary when Nick comes home to discover that Amy is suddenly missing.
As the mysterious investigation begins, Nick’s oddly aloof and evasive behavior causes everyone to question if he had something to do with it. Although he maintains his innocence, his wife’s diary might give them reason to think otherwise.
My Review {With Spoilers!}
I wasn’t expecting to get into the whole “whodunit” plot at first but let me tell you, it sucked me right in! It’s definitely one of those books that you could sit down and read in one or two days.
In the beginning I thought that the author was trying to trick us into believing that it was Nick who killed Amy when it actually wasn’t so for some crazy reason, I started to think it was his dad. Clearly, I had no clue what was coming in the second part!
By that point, I already hated Nick for having a mistress so when I found out that Amy was the one who staged her own murder, I was in complete shock but I also thought to myself, “welp, that’s what he gets for being a cheater!”. The ultimate revenge, mwuahaha!
But then as the story went on, I started to realize that Amy is actually just a psychopath and I found myself not liking either her or Nick.
I had a few people warn me that I would be angry with the ending but I didn’t feel like that. I thought it was a little unrealistic, seeing how there wouldn’t be any of Desi’s DNA to prove that he abducted Amy from their home. But I also wondered if the author was possibly leaving the end open for a sequel. Maybe Nick will get his revenge in the next novel? Or maybe they will live happily ever after in their psychotic relationship?
One of the main takeaways for me was realizing how influential the media can be during investigations. It’s amazing how they can portray something in a certain light and get everybody behind them, believing that’s what really happened. I thought this was a good reminder not to judge without knowing what’s going on behind the scenes.
Overall I found it to be an extremely smart and entertaining read.
Have you read Gone Girl?
If so, what did you think of the ending?
Oh, and HAPPY HALLOWEEN! :)
I loved Gone Girl. I love those kind of books, so I read it early on. I went back and forth the whole book trying to guess who did it. You’d think with all the mysteries and thrillers I read I’d be better at figuring it out, but I’m always shocked when the truth comes out!
I LOVED this book! I couldn’t put it down, and when I did, I couldn’t stop thinking about it!
I don’t usually read mystery novels either, but I LOVED Gone Girl. So much so that I even read her two other books; Sharp Objects and Dark Places, I recommend both!
David listened to Gone Girl on audio book, and I ended up listening to more than half of it with him and still liked it the second time around. We decided to wait for DVD to see the movie. We’re kind of weird like that, but I am looking forward to seeing the movie.
I loved Gone Girl as well! I wasn’t -too- crazy about the ending, but I thought it fit well with the plot… even though a psychopath love story happy ending is a little odd to say the least :lol: Have you read any of Flynn’s other books? I definitely recommend checking out Dark Places! That was another one I couldn’t put down.
I enjoyed reading Gone Girl, though I can’t say I actually *liked* the book. I hated every character and everything they did to each other, but it was well-written and Flynn obviously is a good storyteller.
Okay, so I saw the movie before I had even heard of the book. I thought the movie was very well made and casted. While I was watching it, I thought to myself how interesting the book would be to read, and I’ve heard her other books are great too. The ending straight up PISSED me off. Like, I wanted to just walk into their lives and become their life counselor. Like, “hey AMY, you should go off yourself, because this make-believe world doesn’t need folks like you.” and, “Nick, seek counseling slash keep it in your pants until you un-eff your brain.” BUT the moral of the story is I was super entertained…but yes, the ending was irritating. I hope they make a sequel called “Amy’s gone for real and there was never any baby at all.” One can dream ;)Happy Halloween, love!!
I definitely really enjoyed Gone Girl… but didn’t LOVE the ending… I guess I was looking for more finality. I do plan to go see the movie soon, though. I hear it is great!
I loved this book and I can’t wait to see the movie! I recently read her other book, Dark Places and that one was just as good, I highly recommend it!!!
Okay I read part of this then skipped the spoilers. But I am so intrigued. I wanted to check it out from the library but it was checked out. :] // itsCarmen.com ☼ ☯
I just saw the movie and now I want to read the book! I think I do better with that because I want the book to be exactly like the movie when I do it the other way. Great review. You’ve totally convinced me to grab it!!
I didn’t read the book but I saw the movie and it was really good and entertaining. I can only imagine how riveting the book must of been.
I feel like the book is always better than the movie! I haven’t read this one yet but have heard so much about it.
Btw, I’m currently reading the Emily Giffin book you did a review on not too long ago :)
This is the one book everyone keeps telling me to read and I just haven’t! I don’t know why exactly … but now with the movie, I’m thinking about it! haha Hope that you had a fantastic weekend friend!
Some of my co-workers were going on and on about this movie the other day at lunch. They all really loved it! I always feel that books are much better than their movies, so maybe I should read it rather than take the easy way out and watch the movie :)
Funny, my girlfriend just recommended this book to me. I’ve been meaning to go pick it up at the store. She said the book was far better than the movie.
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