“There’s something disturbing about recalling a warm memory and feeling utterly cold”
Gone Girl
Gillian Flynn
How we met: I got a mail from Goodreads saying Gone Girl has been voted the best thriller/mystery novel of 2012
Six Word Summary: Lady missing. Maybe dead. Husband dunnit?
I rate it: B
The short of it: A psychological thriller that explores the genuineness and the lies that go into making a marriage.
If you have been married to someone for five years, you would expect to know something about them. But what would you do if you came face to face with a series of incidents that questioned those very beliefs? What if you couldn’t just sleep on it and then talk to your spouse about it later, because your spouse is gone, and it seems like you are the only one who can figure out how to find her.
Amy Dunn disappears from her home on the morning of her fifth wedding anniversary, leaving behind a switched on iron, an upturned living room, and a litany of questions her husband Nick must face. Why was Amy scared, why did she try to buy a gun, and why do people keep claiming to have been her closest friend when Nick doesn’t even know them? And why do so many people who have stalked Amy at various points in her life keep turning out of the wood works. We ride along with Nick as he tries to join the dots, but if Nick is the honest, caring husband we want to believe he is, why is he lying to the authorities at every corner?
I can’t say much more about the story without accidentally leaking spoilers, but Gone Girl makes brilliant use of the unreliable narrator and the multiple perception trick to give the reader a punch in the guts when she least expects it. I deduct points only for the improbable and unconvincing end. Very good pick, Goodreads voters!
Read it if:
- You like psychological thrillers about married people
- You like it when you cannot manage to guess whodunnit
- You aren’t bored by a good bit of what sounds like rich white people problems
- A little violence and graphic sexual imagery doesn’t frighten you
To read another review of Gone Girl, please visit A Lovely Shore Breeze. If you like intriguing mysteries, you might also like The House of Silk By Anthony Horowitz: A Review.
-Amritorupa “Murders are Made in Heaven” Kanjilal
The Giveaway
I have an ebook of Gone Girl that I can share with three other readers. Please leave a comment with your mail id if you want to take part, or mail me at amrita(dot)r(dot)kanjilal(at)gmail(dot)com. Results out in ten days, that is, the 22nd of this month.
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I saw that mail from GoodReads too and I was literally salivating when I read the number of positive reviews. I must, must, must read this book…only I am on a budget currently
and so have put on a request for it at my library. Hope this comes in soon.
Nishita, I just updated with a giveaway offer. Please do take part!
The book certainly sounds like an exciting read. Your review has raised my interest and I would be happy if you would share it with me. Thanks. Haven’t had news of you or your writings for a while now!
Thank you Bharatidi, am not able to access Facebook too regularly, and had taken a break from blogging till now. Will certainly keep your name in the lottery. Please publicise the giveaway among your book loving friends.
I’ve been wanting to read this because of all the rave reviews. My book club plans to read it next year which should motivate me.
No need to enter me as I’ve already read it.
I really didn’t like the books all that much. When I talk about it, I have to talk about it in pieces. For the entertainment value, it was fun. I mean, what else could be thrown in? Seems like everything that could go wrong, does. But the story… so predictable and it went on and on. I didn’t like either one of them and I just wanted them to die. Horrible, huh?
I hear there’s a movie in the works and a sequel!
Hi Ti,
It is good entertainment, but doesn’t have too much reread value. Good for an airport buy.
I’m excited to read it. I just won a copy in a giveaway and it’s definitely on my list for 2013! I’ll have to come back and read your full review once I’ve read it.
hi Geoff,
Hope you like the book! looking forward to reading your thoughts on it.
I have heard a lot of really good things about this book. The theme of being married to someone or otherwise thinking that you know someone well and then finding out that you did not really know them at all is very common. This type of story can be so good when it is done intelligently and artistically.
Ad I am so bogged down with books that I have committed myself to read I fear that if I were to win this book that it would be a very long time before I could get to read it. Thus I will bow out of the giveaway and give soneone else a chance.
Hi Brian,
Let’s just say the writer sidesteps intelligent and artistic and went for straight out crazy.
I’ve heard so much about this one that it’s time to try. I have a nook
Thanks for the giveaway!
Emma @ Words And Peace
ehc16e at yahoo dot com
if I win, please contact me first before sending the ebook, my nook is connected to another email address. thanks
Will do, Emma. Thank you for taking part!
Always good to see a new post from you! I’ve heard many good things about this book and have added it to my TBR list. Incidently, I’d like to have some rich people problems.
Alas, I don’t have an e-reader and reading on my computer kills my eyes, but best of luck to the other entrants in the giveaway.
Hi Shaz,
I agree, I would like a life where my biggest grudge would be why my husband forgot our anniversary.
I keep hearing about this books so count me in for the giveaway. I do love a good mystery. Thanks for the chance to win.
Best wishes for the season & the coming year.
I have bought the audio version of this. I think it will work really well for that media.
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