34.7k reviews for:

Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn

4.09 AVERAGE


I had read very good reviews about this book on Goodreads, the NY Times, and other blogs I follow. I am not sure how to put this book in words!

Amy is the daughter of the author's parents who have written the 'Amazing Amy' book series. Amy is married to Nick Dunne. Both Amy and Nick are writers working in New York City and both of them lose their job. Amy's parents are in bad financial condition and they borrow money from Amy's trust fund. Nick's mother is diagnosed with cancer and his twin sister Go (Margo) asks for his help and Nick decides to move to Missouri with Amy. Amy is a creepy perfectionist. Amy maintains a diary where she records her thoughts and feelings about her mid-west life. She is good friends with Nick's mother and her friends. Amy does not have any friends. Nick borrows money from Amy and opens a bar with his twin sister.

On their 5th anniversary, Amy disappears from home. Nick is the suspect for killing Amy, but her body is nowhere to be found. Amy's blood is in the kitchen, cleaned up, messed up the living room, tea kettle on the stove which is switched on. All the clues point to Nick as a killer. But Amy has planned all this elaborately for about a year and has run off with about ten thousand dollars. Nick gets on TV to plead with Amy to come home. Nick tries to get help from Amy's friends but their involvement does not help either. Amy goes from place to place and clears all her tracks. She watches Nick on TV and is not sure if she wants to go back. I won't spoil the plot further (in case you find the book interesting!).

I found Amy very stubborn, creepy perfectionist, mentally twisted, and evil. Nick on the other hand is a normal guy. The book was very slow in the beginning and as I was thinking of dropping the book, it suddenly had a nice twist and got interesting. Then it dragged on and on and on. I was unable to understand the end! I am clueless about what exactly was the ending. Now that I have completed the book, I feel I wasted my time with this book. I was very disappointed with this book. And I am not sure if I want to read other books by Gillian Flynn.

Favorite lines from the book:
Something is disturbing about recalling a warm memory and feeling utterly cold.
But there's no app for a bourbon buzz on a warm day in a cool, dark bar. The world will always want a drink.
People say children from broken homes have it hard, but the children of charmed marriages have their own particular challenges.
Sleep is like a cat: It only comes to you if you ignore it.
Republicans go to Sam's Club. Democrats go to Costco.
Love makes you want to be a better man. But maybe love, real love, also gives you permission to just be the man you are.
There is an unfair responsibility that comes with being an only child - you grow up knowing you aren't allowed to disappoint, you're not even allowed to die. There isn't a replacement toddling around; you are it.
dark mysterious tense medium-paced

This book is so twisty and turny! It kept me guessing the whole time. This is a great book to hand someone if they ask for an example of an unreliable narrator.
dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

gregdov's review against another edition

DID NOT FINISH: 0%

Vapid and annoying 

Best laugh out loud romcom ever
dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

to become amy dunne—my new devotion after this

Amy is a genius. Outsmarted EVERYONE

Usually I don't like books where all of the characters are terrible people, but this one is just so brilliantly written it's worth it. It's really hard to pull off a POV character who may or may not be guilty, but this one is woven just right, where his thoughts are plausible but don't give away whether he's guilty. From there it only gets more interesting and goes in unexpected directions. Really well constructed.