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ash_reads99's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
linnylot's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
princessrobotiv's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars, after reflection
--
So. Gone Girl. Another massively popular title I neglected to read for years.
My response to this novel is somewhat compromised given that I came into the story knowing at least 90% of the big "twist" halfway through. I can't, therefore, speak to whether I would have been legitimately fooled by the narrative - whether I would have suspected Nick as Amy's murderer. I think I would have, though, because even coming in knowing almost everything, I still let myself be seduced, to some degree, by Amy's faked diary entries.
I can say that Gone Girl is incredibly effective at presenting two massively unreliable narrators in a way that is suspenseful and engaging. I don't know that I've seen an unreliable narrator portrayed so skillfully in a long time - and Gone Girl had two of them, both unreliable in entirely distinct ways. It was a worthwhile read for that alone.
I enjoyed the novel at the beginning far more than I did at the end. The beginning of the novel had such . . . existential meat to it. It had such an interesting angle: the toxicity of gender norms and the way both men and women sink into unsustainable, unrealistic roles - and how the emotional labor of pretending to be somebody that you're not will eventually poison you (and your relationship).
But the second half? I mean, the whole "We're two cah-razy assholes who just can't survive without each other!" schtick hasn't been interesting to me since I shook my Joker/Harley phase (like 80% of edgy teenage girls). I wish Flynn hadn't doubled down on the "Amy's a sociopath" angle and instead devoted more time to the incredibly interesting critique on heteronormative relationships and toxic masculinity that we got in the first half of the book.
I'm definitely interested enough to check out the rest of Flynn's work. Despite my complaints, I am always fascinated by representations of "messy, messed-up" women. And I think it's clear that Flynn doesn't hold back on that account.
--
I hated Nick for being surprised when I became me. I hated him for not knowing it had to end, for truly believing he had married this creature, this figment of the imagination of a million masturbatory men, semen-fingered and self-satisfied.
So. Gone Girl. Another massively popular title I neglected to read for years.
My response to this novel is somewhat compromised given that I came into the story knowing at least 90% of the big "twist" halfway through. I can't, therefore, speak to whether I would have been legitimately fooled by the narrative - whether I would have suspected Nick as Amy's murderer. I think I would have, though, because even coming in knowing almost everything, I still let myself be seduced, to some degree, by Amy's faked diary entries.
I can say that Gone Girl is incredibly effective at presenting two massively unreliable narrators in a way that is suspenseful and engaging. I don't know that I've seen an unreliable narrator portrayed so skillfully in a long time - and Gone Girl had two of them, both unreliable in entirely distinct ways. It was a worthwhile read for that alone.
I enjoyed the novel at the beginning far more than I did at the end. The beginning of the novel had such . . . existential meat to it. It had such an interesting angle: the toxicity of gender norms and the way both men and women sink into unsustainable, unrealistic roles - and how the emotional labor of pretending to be somebody that you're not will eventually poison you (and your relationship).
But the second half? I mean, the whole "We're two cah-razy assholes who just can't survive without each other!" schtick hasn't been interesting to me since I shook my Joker/Harley phase (like 80% of edgy teenage girls). I wish Flynn hadn't doubled down on the "Amy's a sociopath" angle and instead devoted more time to the incredibly interesting critique on heteronormative relationships and toxic masculinity that we got in the first half of the book.
I'm definitely interested enough to check out the rest of Flynn's work. Despite my complaints, I am always fascinated by representations of "messy, messed-up" women. And I think it's clear that Flynn doesn't hold back on that account.
kirstenrose22's review against another edition
5.0
Oh. My. Gods. This was amazing and I couldn't put it down and there are no words. There certainly isn't much I can say that isn't terribly spoilery. Loved it.
celeste_velocci's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really wish I would’ve read this book before seeing the movie. Some parts were a bit different but overall the same premise. It took me longer than usual to finish this book but I think it’s just because I knew what was going to happen had I not known I wouldn’t have wanted to put it down. I was leaning towards a 3.5 but ended up giving it a 4 for the sole reason that the plot was just so good and twisted how could I not rate it at least a 4!? I’m happy I finally read this blockbuster thriller I feel like I can’t call myself a thriller fan if I haven’t read this book it’s for sure a staple in the genre. I recommend this if you haven’t watched the movie and if you have it might seem a little bit slower for you because the shock factor isn’t there but I’m still happy I read it. It was twisty, unpredictable, had unreliable narrators, and honestly made me cringe (in a good way). Nothing is better than a twisty mindfu*k if you ask me!!
anirban165's review against another edition
5.0
One word for the book - Brilliant!!
Unpredictable plot with enough twists which kept me glued till the very end and characters which gave life to the story.
Unpredictable plot with enough twists which kept me glued till the very end and characters which gave life to the story.
la_avellana's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
0liviamarie's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
worldofbookcraft's review against another edition
4.0
I can excuse murder, but I draw the line at misogyny
*spoilers*
pretty much a perf thriller- it’s been a decade and even with soft spoilers, it was so good I pulled an alllll nighter to finish. Star off because …. They just suck like everyone sucks and they all deserve to be unhappy, they’re all misogynistic, when the twist comes (that I had an idea about) I truly wanted it to be a good for her story, but she’s terrible toooo
Anyway
4/5, go get Gone, girl!
*spoilers*
pretty much a perf thriller- it’s been a decade and even with soft spoilers, it was so good I pulled an alllll nighter to finish. Star off because …. They just suck like everyone sucks and they all deserve to be unhappy, they’re all misogynistic, when the twist comes (that I had an idea about) I truly wanted it to be a good for her story, but she’s terrible toooo
Anyway
4/5, go get Gone, girl!