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Gone Girl

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'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn is a psychological thriller that delves into the dysfunctional marriage of Nick and Amy. The story unfolds with a man coming home on his 5th wedding anniversary to find his house destroyed and his wife missing, leading to a search where all clues point towards him. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, portraying the cunning dynamics between the characters, creating a chilling portrait of the ill effects of narcissistic disorder and manipulation. The novel keeps readers on edge as it explores themes of deception, betrayal, and the dark aspects of human nature.

Characters:

The characters are richly developed and multi-dimensional, primarily showcasing a deeply dysfunctional couple, Nick and Amy, whose personal issues drive the narrative.

Writing/Prose:

The writing style is engaging and fluid, with well-crafted prose and alternating narratives that enhance the tension and depth of the story.

Plot/Storyline:

The plot revolves around the disappearance of Amy Dunne on her fifth wedding anniversary, leading to complex twists involving her husband, Nick, as he becomes the main suspect, unraveling their flawed marriage.

Setting:

The story is primarily set in North Carthage, Missouri, with flashbacks to New York City, showcasing the stark contrast between their former life and current struggles.

Pacing:

The pacing begins slowly but picks up significantly in the middle, with a gripping rhythm that ultimately feels rushed toward the conclusion.
When I think of my wife, I always think of her head. The shape of it, to begin with. The very first time I saw her, it was the back of the head I saw, and there was something lovely about it, the angl...

Notes:

The story is told from two different perspectives: Nick's current narration and Amy's diary entries.
The plot revolves around marriage dynamics and hidden truths.
Nick Dunne becomes the prime suspect in his wife's disappearance.
The book delves into themes of media sensationalism surrounding crime cases.
The author, Gillian Flynn, is known for her dark and complex characterizations.
Gone Girl has been adapted into a successful film directed by David Fincher.
The characters are often described as unlikable, which challenges typical hero-villain narratives.
The novel explores the concept of the "Cool Girl" and societal expectations of women.
Nick and Amy's relationship deteriorates due to job loss and financial struggles.
Critics have noted the book's commentary on gender roles and psychological manipulation.

Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings

Triggers include themes of domestic violence, mental illness, infidelity, and graphic language.

From The Publisher:

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

The "mercilessly entertaining" (Vanity Fair) instant classic "about the nature of identity and the terrible secrets that can survive and thrive in even the most intimate relationships" (Lev Grossman, Time).

NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN

NAMED ONE OF TIME'S TEN BEST FICTION BOOKS OF THE DECADE AND ONE OF ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'S BEST BOOKS OF THE DECADE

NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Janet Maslin, The New York Times

People

Entertainment Weekly

O: The Oprah Magazine

Slate

Kansas City Star

USA Today

Christian Science Monitor

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. 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?

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY San Francisco Chronicle

St. Louis Post Dispatch

Chicago Tribune

HuffPost

Newsday

"Absorbing . . . In masterly fashion, Flynn depicts the unraveling of a marriage-and of a recession-hit Midwest-by interweaving the wife's diary entries with the husband's first-person account."-New Yorker

"Ms. Flynn writes dark suspense novels that anatomize violence without splashing barrels of blood around the pages . . . Ms. Flynn has much more up her sleeve than a simple missing-person case. As Nick and Amy alternately tell their stories, marriage has never looked so menacing, narrators so unreliable."-The Wall Street Journal

"The story unfolds in precise and riveting prose . . . even while you know you're being manipulated, searching for the missing pieces is half the thrill of this wickedly absorbing tale."-O: The Oprah Magazine

Ratings (632)

Incredible (116)
Loved It (253)
Liked It (161)
It Was OK (57)
Did Not Like (33)
Hated It (12)

Reader Stats (986):

Read It (653)
Currently Reading (4)
Want To Read (217)
Did Not Finish (17)
Not Interested (95)

16 comment(s)

Incredible
2 weeks

I could not put this down the whole time I was reading it! I finished it in 48 hours! This wasn't something that I would have picked up on my own, but was a book club pick and it was so captivating! Twisted, psychologically dark, complex, wonderfully multi-layered characters...it has it all! If you pick this one up, make sure that you have at least two days blocked out to finish it because your life is going to grind to a screeching halt until you finish it. SO good!

 
Incredible
1 month

Incredible. Thats reallt all I can say.

 
Incredible
2 months

one-handed review: LOVED. IT. wish i had the use of 2 hands to more easily discuss all that i loved. i feel there is a lot to talk about re: feminism in this book (concept of Cool Girl, or manic pixie dream girl, especially). it's a page-turning bamf, but also really smart. great hospital read.

this has been a one-handed review.

 
Incredible
2 months

I've been on a Gillian Flynne kick lately, reading all her novels in no particular order. Dark Places was my favorite but this was a close second. I watched the movie first, when it came out, but still really enjoyed the novel. I highly recommend this one.

 
It Was OK
2 months

I was too great till the part 2. I thought some very twisted climax with full of suspense... But part 3 disappointed me :(

 
Incredible
2 months

Interesting twist, liked the suspense and thrill of it. Enjoyed reading. Great writing style, reads fast.

 
Incredible
4 months

muito bem escrito, a leitura flui muito bem, mas gostaria de não ter visto o filme antes de ler o livro.

 
Incredible
4 months

you empathize with the characters … indulge in their wild (and absurd) ideas

 
Incredible
5 months

Amazing. Beautiful prose, interesting themes, a twist I never saw coming. Absolutely lived up to the hype. Can't wait to read Flynn's other novels.

 
Hated It
5 months

Gillian Flynn creates such hateful evil female characters that I genuinely think it’s bad for the current existence of women

 
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About the Author:

Gillian Flynn is the author of the runaway hit Gone Girl, an international sensation that has spent more than 95 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Her work has been published in 40 languages. Gone Girl is a major motion picture from Twentieth Century-Fox. Flynn's previous…

 
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