Author: Gillian Flynn
Pages: 422
Publication date: May 24th, 2012 by Broadway Books
Source: Library, ebook,
Link: Gone Girl-Goodreads
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?
With the movie coming out shortly I knew I had to get my hands on this book and read it. Thanks to my sister-in-law who started asking me if I had read it I pushed it up my TBR pile. I am still thinking about this book days later.
This is truly one of those books where you don't want spoilers. There is a great twist that is fun.. well a few twists I suppose. I avoided the trailer for the upcoming movie because I had heard there was spoilers in it (turns out there aren't any), I had avoided reviews, I avoided everything. Then one evening I was talking to my mom and she just busted out with the big spoiler!! NOOO I tried to forget what she said. Luckily it was only a spoiler for the beginning of the book. This will be a spoiler free review.
This book is about the disappearance of Amy Dunne and what happens during this disappearance. The first book goes back and forth between Amy's diary and her husband Nick and what he is going through. I have read about some people being bored during this part of the book. Frankly I enjoyed this part more then the second part. I like how we really get to read about a husband and wife and what each one thinks. I related to this. I think all marriages have you questioning what the other spouse is thinking.
The second part of the book is so different then the first. The author does an amazing job of writing characters with all kinds of different personalities. The ending of this book also surprised me at how it ended. I was reading on my ereader so I didn't know how many pages left just a percentage. I had read 95%, surely more was coming. I flicked the ereader's page and the title of the next page said "Acknowledgments" WHAT?? That was the end?? No NO NO! I mean the ending makes sense but I just didn't expect it.
The movie... well I heard the Gone Girl movie has a different ending then the book. Huh.. that's what I say about that. I feel that the way this book ended was actually perfect. So I am not sure how I feel about a different ending. Though I did read that the author Flynn wrote this ending so that should hopefully make it worth it. Here is the movie trailer if you haven't seen it yet. If you haven't wanted to read this book before, watching the trailer will probably make you want to pick it up!
The crystal ball says:
Clouds are covering! A read that lets me down every now and then but peaks out of the clouds!
Let's chat about the book!! Spoilers are welcome in the comments but be sure to mark them for those who might read through the comments. I can't wait to see what you all thought of this book.
You didn't like it!!!! The first half of the book was very boring, I was about to DNF it when I started reading Amy's POV. I'm glad I didn't give it up because that second half was great :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't think I'll watch the movie, though.
I'm really impressed that you were able to avoid spoilers (for the most part) as Flynn's book seems to be about everywhere. To be a spoiler-free comment, the first bombshell which I'm guessing is the one your mom gave away I saw coming early in the book, but like you said it was the ending that caught me in a loop. I'd be lying if I said I liked it , but I thought Gone Girl ended perfectly, Deranged as the rest of the book was.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I'm a little nervous about the switch to the film's ending but it might make for a nice change as so many have read the book and thus would lack the twist the novel's conclusion provided. I think the movie will be worth watching though if only to see Neil Patrick Harris as Desi Collings!
Great review!
I'm looking forward to seeing the movie to see how it plays out ... but a different ending? I hope not.
ReplyDeleteI'm very curious about this one because I don't know what to expect (I'm keeping myself ignorant on purpose) but I'm curious enough to see what the big deal is that I'll probably read it. The second half does sound worrisome...
ReplyDelete-P.E. @ The Sirenic Codex
I did like this one. I've liked Gillian Flynn as an author for years now, and I think Dark Places is still my favorite of hers (I recommend reading it!!) but Gone Girl was quite different and unique. I'm not sure about the movie changing the end...it seems to work for the overall story, but if Flynn wrote the new ending, I'm okay with that. And it's hilarious because I posted my review of this today too!! what are the odds? lol
ReplyDelete-lauren
www.shootingstarsmag.blogspot.com
Everyone I know has read Gone Girl, but I haven't yet, and I'm not all that interested in reading it. I mean, I am curious, and I feel a bit like I HAVE to read it because everyone talks about how good it is, but I'm still on the fence. Awesome review!
ReplyDeleteThis one is so intriguing to me - I actually wasn't entirely sure what it was all about, but the different POVs and the breakdown of their relationship sounds pretty interesting. And I would like to see the film when it comes out. With a new ending, I feel like the film will be a very different experience.
ReplyDeleteJust a warning while I'm not specifically going to state what happens in the end, but some people might consider what I am going to say spoiler-ish. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
ReplyDeleteI wanted justice at the end and it made me SOOOO angry that no one paid for what happened and everyone is going to be miserable and unhappy. My blood still gets a boiling when I think about it.
Last year Gillian spoke locally and I went to see her. This book made me so vocal and passionate that I HAD to see/meet the mind behind it. Gillian said that lots of people HATE the way her books end and that if you want a happy ending then you shouldn't read her books. She also mentioned that life isn't wrapped up in pretty packages with bows and she like to write real life. While I think her books tend to go over that line a bit, I can see her point. Don't make me want to not scream at the top of my lungs about how angry this book made me, it does make sense. :)
Well I saw the film trailer and it made me really want to read the book/watch the movie and find out what is going on, even though it's not the sort of thing I would usually read or watch, so I find all of those things interesting in themselves. There's something compelling about the way it's presented, I guess, but if I do read or watch it I just don't want to come away feeling all creeped out, which happens when I watch certain crime shows and isn't something I like. Still, I think I'll get it from my library- your review helped instill my interest! It's interesting that the film will have a different ending... I don't know how I would feel about that, but I suppose it depends on how you liked the original ending and what changes are going to be made. Interesting...!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually looking forward to Fincher's ending. The one in the book made me rage! (Though I give it credit for being so different)
ReplyDeleteI haven't read this yet! I really need and want to because it seems so amazing! And the movie's coming out and I don't want to watch the movie before reading the book. Great review!
ReplyDeleteI really loved Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn and I've literally been meaning to get to this book for such a long time! I hate it when you get a spoiler. That would've sucked! I'm worried about this ending though. Endings are so important for me and I don't know if I want to put myself through 400 pages without a good ending. :3 Lovely review Angela!
ReplyDeleteMy reaction to the book was very similar to yours I think. Mostly "huh?" I enjoyed the read but I'm still perplexed by how I felt about the whole thing. I'm so glad you thought the ending fit! I did as well but I know a number of people HATED it. Like passionately hated it. I think Ben Affleck is a good choice for Nick. He's does the all American frat boy look pretty well. I can see why the ending would be changed film-wise as that would be hard to show but I can't think of how else to end it.
ReplyDeleteI really liked this book, and knew that there was something big, but wasn't told what that was. It was so deliciously done, this spoilery big thing (I don't want to ruin this one) and I just was pretty amazed at Flynn's evil genius mind. The ending was not satisfying to me. I just wanted more, and I'm glad that she's re-writing it for the movie. Just gives us book readers one more surprise to look forward to.
ReplyDeleteGreat review, despite not being able to say much. :)
Ooooh I had no idea this was a book! And now I feel bad about it lol I really want to see the movie, so I think I'll watch it first and then read the book (I find it leads to disappointment if I do it the other way around). Totally curious about them changing the ending though, they seem to do that a lot.
ReplyDeleteI didn't love Sharp Objects, but I've heard that this is pretty different and I've read so many positive reviews, I'd still like to give it a chance. I can't believe they're changing the ending for a movie! Gutsy move.
ReplyDeleteI actually loved this book. I'm a little upset that she changed the ending for the movie. Like you I think it ended perfectly. On the one hand it will be nice to be surprised when I see the movie, but on the other I'm weary that the movie really won't be as good.
ReplyDeleteI am in the middle on this book. It kept me thinking about it after I was done. I didn't hate the first half of the book like a lot of people. They couldn't stand it. I liked it .. because it made the twist so much more fun. I was like.. who am I even reading about????????? LOL. I will watch the movie only because the trailer looks amazing. I am surprised you don't want to see it.
ReplyDeleteI think the book ended really well too. I wanted more.. I wanted to know what happens in the future. But I also like guessing what is going to happen in the future and what lives will be like. I can say that I really hope there will NOT be a second book. I am a little scared about this because of the book's popularity. Sometimes this convinces authors to write a sequel.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the movie could in no way follow the book ending. That type of ending does not satisfy movie audiences. This is why a lot of Stephen King books have different endings in movies. Book audiences are satisfied but movie audiences would be extremely angry.
Yeah... it is a different ending. The author has already confirmed it. So we'll just have to see. It is a little scary.. but the author wrote the ending so maybe it will be good.
ReplyDeleteI didn't mind the second half... though SPOILER! I did think that the people that were at the cabin site were going to come back into play here. But I guess they just took the money and ran.
ReplyDeleteI had to read this book too to see what all the hype was about. I read it pretty fast so you should be able to read it in no time. I really stayed ignorant too, well the best I could at least. This is one of those books I had to read so I didn't get a spoiler by accident somewhere! Once the movie comes out I didn't think I was going to be able to avoid spoilers anymore.
ReplyDeleteOh great! I get to go and check out your review ( I am a little behind because I was on vacation). I haven't read any other Gillian Flynn books. Though I would be interested in reading her other books. I thought the book was unique too. I love books that have great unique perspectives going on. I found that quite enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteIf there wasn't a movie.. I may not have read this book. But the movie trailer came out and then everyone really started to fangirl/fanboy over it and I was like... oh snap! I have got to know what everyone is talking about it. So I guess I jumped on the bandwagon. Though it was worth it so I would recommend you reading it.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know ANYTHING about this book going in. I made sure I didn't. So I didn't know what it was about either. But the POVs were great... honestly. It was really a book about the character of people... well the character of the people in this book at least. It did make me relate this book to my marriage too. Which was creepy in a way. I actually sometimes think the thoughts the characters were thinking about each other. The author did a really really great job there.
ReplyDeleteThis too is a spoiler... so watch out!
ReplyDeleteI wanted justice in the end too. I mean... really the FBI, the police didn't see that her story was a little off??? It made me think about how many crimes in the world go on without and justice. Why didn't Nick allow those other people who had bad experiences with Amy come forward. Instead he told them to just forget it. I get the ending.. BIG BIG SPOILER HERE she gets pregnant and that locks in a lot of people into marriages that they don't want. But this woman is crazy.. crazy... so I don't know how a sane person could stay with her. Of course this just proves how crazy Nick is too.
I don't know that I felt creeped out. Well... I suppose because I don't think that I know these types of people. At least... I hope not. Though I guess the point of this book is that people who seem ordinary are not. I think the change in the ending will just be things will be wrapped up a little tighter at the end of the movie. Movie audiences prefer that type of ending. I don't normally read books like this either but I am glad I read it. It was new and different and enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteI am curious... what do you think will happen in Fincher's ending?? I am guessing (SPOILERS) that we will see a less open ending. The future will be shown to us rather then us guessing. Open endings don't usually work in movies the way they do in books.
ReplyDeleteI just wonder if the movie will be as surprising as the book?? If it is then it might not be so bad to just watch the movie. I think that the movie is going to be really good.
ReplyDeleteI thought the same! There was a lot of build up with them, so I really thought they'd be coming back, or SOMETHING. Just felt like a lot of book-time wasted.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know if my mom knew it was a spoiler. I have been meaning to talk to her about it now that I am finished with the book. I didn't want to ask her about it before I read the book in case she had more spoilers in store for me. LOLOL! I don't think it was a bad ending to be honest. Just some people are satisfied and some people aren't. One of those types of endings. I would recommend starting the book and seeing if you like the style.
ReplyDeleteI think I read that the cabin part is going to just be left out of the movie all together. That will probably be best since it was kind of just squeezed into the novel.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny... that I was half way into the book. But I kept thinking about it long after I read it and that is what is really really important in books. If I can't remember the book a week later ... then it was just so-so. If it's two weeks later and I still remember a lot of the book that book is great! I like Ben Affleck as Nick too. The one I question is Neil Patrick Harris. I wonder how that character will go. I think possibly I wasn't as bothered by the ending as other people because a lot of Stephen King books end this way and I am really used to this whole reader figure out the ending themselves type of writing.
ReplyDeleteLOL... well I thought about adding spoilers into the review (some reviews I will do this though I am sure to mark them). I just wanted anyone to be able to read this review without fear of reading something they shouldn't. So I thought this review was more fun to write without any spoilers.
ReplyDeleteFlynn does so very well writing different types of character personalities. That blew me away. This is when I wish I was a writer. I want to be able to write things like that. Alas ... I will just have to stick to reading it. I am hoping to read a book like this again soon.
Interesting that you watch a movie before a book. I am complete opposite. I don't know why but I really need to read the book first. I guess it's because I put so much time into reading a book and the movie is maybe 2 hours, so I want the book to be a surprise since it takes a lot of time to read.
ReplyDeleteI've seen a couple of bloggers say the same about Sharp Objects. I have thought about reading her other books but we'll see. I have a few series I need to finish up before I read some other of Gillian's books.
ReplyDeleteI just think (spoilers) that the movie will end wrapped up in a bow. We will know what will become of all the characters. It won't be an up in the air ending, I think that just doesn't work in movies. So I suspect either someone will get arrested or we'll see a happy family in 10 years after the book is set.
ReplyDeleteOh shoot.. I didn't even think of the child. You are right. Those parents are going to use that child against each other for their entire marriage. I also think that in some aspect one of the parents must have a hereditary mental illness which will be passed on to the child as well. It seems that neither parent even want some mental health helps (meds, counseling). It is sad.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, to be honest. I almost wonder if *SPOILERS**.............Nick will kill Amy after he finds out what she did?
ReplyDeleteOhhh.. that would be quite an ending there!!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read the book yet because I know that it's not a good book to read when you're depressed. I've been waiting for more cheerful moods to read it. Hopefully soon! Glad you mostly enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteYes.. you are right. This is NOT a book to read when you are depressed. In fact.. you should be reading cheerful books. Happy endings and what not. I just believe that when you feel down and depressed you should surround yourself with positivity and happiness.
ReplyDelete