Scan barcode
drusmilford's review against another edition
4.0
Little out there but definitely parts where I could not put it down.
hyunc456's review against another edition
4.0
“There's a difference between really loving someone and loving the idea of her.”
Gone Girl. At first glance, it seems to be another run-of-the-mill mystery thriller: troubled marriage, cheating husband, runaway wife.
It cannot be further off. Let me just say that this book has become a sensation for a reason. It's nothing like anything I've ever read.
The general synopsis is this: On the morning of his wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne receives a call from a concerned neighbor and finds that his wife, the beautiful and perfect Amy Dunne, is missing. This case quickly gains coverage in the media, and Nick becomes the prime suspect for his missing wife. And, as the blurb on the back says, Nick is a liar; Nick is weak; but is he a killer? And is his wife as perfect as others believe?
This book was absolutely exceptional. Written with clever and daunting prose, the novel spins out a uniquely complex and twisty plotline that is told through the alternative narratives of Nick and Amy Dunne. There are nuances to each character; while none of them are deserving of any real empathy, Gillian Flynn's ability to dish out these unlikeable characters while embedding the jarring twists that seem so naturally done is commendable. Flynn's crowd control in her writing is also in her own league. I often found my feelings for Nick, Amy, and the other characters jumping around, enough for the occasional twists to hit me with an effective shock bomb.
I hated Amy's character per se, but she was phenomenally written. While it seemed somewhat rushed and/or cut off, the ending was breathtaking. Nick's idea of the marriage's power balance was completely overturned: his "daddy-issues" subdued and him left cowering under Amy. What an image. I applaud.
One downside to this thriller is that it fails to set a readable pace early on. I almost didn't get through the first section of the book, which had barely any action and focused more on Amy and Nick's marriage. I know the story is structured on these foundations, but it really made it a painfully slow read.
~3.5 stars
Gone Girl. At first glance, it seems to be another run-of-the-mill mystery thriller: troubled marriage, cheating husband, runaway wife.
It cannot be further off. Let me just say that this book has become a sensation for a reason. It's nothing like anything I've ever read.
The general synopsis is this: On the morning of his wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne receives a call from a concerned neighbor and finds that his wife, the beautiful and perfect Amy Dunne, is missing. This case quickly gains coverage in the media, and Nick becomes the prime suspect for his missing wife. And, as the blurb on the back says, Nick is a liar; Nick is weak; but is he a killer? And is his wife as perfect as others believe?
This book was absolutely exceptional. Written with clever and daunting prose, the novel spins out a uniquely complex and twisty plotline that is told through the alternative narratives of Nick and Amy Dunne. There are nuances to each character; while none of them are deserving of any real empathy, Gillian Flynn's ability to dish out these unlikeable characters while embedding the jarring twists that seem so naturally done is commendable. Flynn's crowd control in her writing is also in her own league. I often found my feelings for Nick, Amy, and the other characters jumping around, enough for the occasional twists to hit me with an effective shock bomb.
I hated Amy's character per se, but she was phenomenally written. While it seemed somewhat rushed and/or cut off, the ending was breathtaking. Nick's idea of the marriage's power balance was completely overturned: his "daddy-issues" subdued and him left cowering under Amy. What an image. I applaud.
One downside to this thriller is that it fails to set a readable pace early on. I almost didn't get through the first section of the book, which had barely any action and focused more on Amy and Nick's marriage. I know the story is structured on these foundations, but it really made it a painfully slow read.
~3.5 stars
juliaroussel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookgeek809's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jstaton's review against another edition
4.0
Another good read - unnerving and had me questioning the relationships in my life but this is fictions and I choose to leave it that way. It's a lonely world when you can't just be.
tefy's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sandiet's review against another edition
4.0
Well that certainly wasn't what I was expecting. Just when you think you've got it figured out, you turn the page and say "what the heck?"
iriswindmeijer's review against another edition
4.0
Gone Girl is thrilling, the plot and mostly Amy's plan is over the top, and I admire "her" planning. The plotline is put together very carefully, the timeline is set up very well. The plot keeps you reading and I couldn't put the book down.
Nick is a very likeable character at first, but when he talks about Andie, I liked him less. He seems sweet and genuine about his love for both women but it feels slightly odd. However when Amy is driving him crazy, you can feel him crack and go insane.. and still I have sympathy for him. The character is very well written.
Amy's character starts very likeable, she seems the adorable slightly spoiled rich girl, but you can feel her turning more and more angry towards her husband. Her true colours show when the plot develops and I ended up despising her character.
The narrative is very well done with the diary entries. They start off as a loving, cute couple but the flaws of their marriage start showing until it unfolds into Amy's disappearance.
The book was really good but I would want to give it 4,5 stars, because although I am very intruiged, I am not completely blown away.
Nick is a very likeable character at first, but when he talks about Andie, I liked him less. He seems sweet and genuine about his love for both women but it feels slightly odd. However when Amy is driving him crazy, you can feel him crack and go insane.. and still I have sympathy for him. The character is very well written.
Amy's character starts very likeable, she seems the adorable slightly spoiled rich girl, but you can feel her turning more and more angry towards her husband. Her true colours show when the plot develops and I ended up despising her character.
The narrative is very well done with the diary entries. They start off as a loving, cute couple but the flaws of their marriage start showing until it unfolds into Amy's disappearance.
The book was really good but I would want to give it 4,5 stars, because although I am very intruiged, I am not completely blown away.
eee1234567's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
meghancrack's review against another edition
4.0
Good thriller - fun for summer, enjoyed it on the beach