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A review by lancakes
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
5.0
I've waited almost a whole day to collect my thoughts about this book and I'm still reeling. I'm so happy Jocelyn talked me out of my initial negative reaction and I tried to read it again. I could barely put it down. If I were younger and had less responsibilities I would've pulled an all-nighter and finished it in one go.
There are so many layers that I appreciate in this book. As a thriller, or a mystery, it's gripping and incredibly smart. As a character study it's consistent and thorough. I think this book also presents some incredible social commentary. There is not only outright, obvious misogyny (like Nick's father and his fuckingbitchstupidbitchbitchbitch refrain), but subtle, masquerading misogyny, like Desi and his White Knight-ing of broken girls as a way of attaining his preferred power dynamic in a relationship. There are also a few instances of internalised misogyny, both in Amy's fake diary where she denounces "acting like a crazy girl" and rails against ordinary women who nag their husbands, and later in a beautiful rant from real Amy against the Cool Girl myth and how instead of it disappearing women began to ascribe to the myth and subjugate themselves. A moment I found particularly poignant was when Nick realises that hating one woman that toils to destroy your life does not mean you hate all women, does not inherently make you a misogynist. (Though Nick definitely has more issues with women than just this one instance with Amy, which brings me to my next point)
The character of Nick is one of the most fleshed out, well created characters I've ever read, at least in the context of the story. Every detail mentioned about him, about his home life, his appearance, the damaging legacy of his father, explains his behaviour like his stoicism, his inappropriate smiling, his explosive anger towards women he feels are screwing him over.
The relationship in this book, and especially the ending of this book, is fucking chilling. Amy is clearly crazy. Nick is trapped in a crazy situation, but his acceptance of Amy's insanity and willing participation in the relationship make it obvious that he is also at least a little sick.
Final notes: This book is so well written that I basically knew the ending, or at least knew the twist, and I STILL was kind of convinced that Nick did it, that's how well Amy set him up, how well Flynn writes Nick's inner monologue to, in its juxtaposition with Amy's fake diary, establish doubt. Also, it makes me angry that Margo still loves Nick at the end. I kind of want her to write them off as sick, toxic and fucked up and to wash her hands of them.
Edit: I totally forgot about the marriage/relationship dynamic. I really love that Flynn highlights (in obviously a very dramatic story) the way we change ourselves for others, and how that can lead to resentment for both and surprises, confusion and frustration down the road when you morph back in to yourself.
There are so many layers that I appreciate in this book. As a thriller, or a mystery, it's gripping and incredibly smart. As a character study it's consistent and thorough. I think this book also presents some incredible social commentary. There is not only outright, obvious misogyny (like Nick's father and his fuckingbitchstupidbitchbitchbitch refrain), but subtle, masquerading misogyny, like Desi and his White Knight-ing of broken girls as a way of attaining his preferred power dynamic in a relationship. There are also a few instances of internalised misogyny, both in Amy's fake diary where she denounces "acting like a crazy girl" and rails against ordinary women who nag their husbands, and later in a beautiful rant from real Amy against the Cool Girl myth and how instead of it disappearing women began to ascribe to the myth and subjugate themselves. A moment I found particularly poignant was when Nick realises that hating one woman that toils to destroy your life does not mean you hate all women, does not inherently make you a misogynist. (Though Nick definitely has more issues with women than just this one instance with Amy, which brings me to my next point)
The character of Nick is one of the most fleshed out, well created characters I've ever read, at least in the context of the story. Every detail mentioned about him, about his home life, his appearance, the damaging legacy of his father, explains his behaviour like his stoicism, his inappropriate smiling, his explosive anger towards women he feels are screwing him over.
The relationship in this book, and especially the ending of this book, is fucking chilling. Amy is clearly crazy. Nick is trapped in a crazy situation, but his acceptance of Amy's insanity and willing participation in the relationship make it obvious that he is also at least a little sick.
Final notes: This book is so well written that I basically knew the ending, or at least knew the twist, and I STILL was kind of convinced that Nick did it, that's how well Amy set him up, how well Flynn writes Nick's inner monologue to, in its juxtaposition with Amy's fake diary, establish doubt. Also, it makes me angry that Margo still loves Nick at the end. I kind of want her to write them off as sick, toxic and fucked up and to wash her hands of them.
Edit: I totally forgot about the marriage/relationship dynamic. I really love that Flynn highlights (in obviously a very dramatic story) the way we change ourselves for others, and how that can lead to resentment for both and surprises, confusion and frustration down the road when you morph back in to yourself.