Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Book Review

Book: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, Crown, On Sale Now

Book Info: Mystery, HC 432 pg, borrowed Kindle edition from the library

Rating: 4 / 5 Stars

More Info: Goodreads | IndieBound | Amazon

I found Gone Girl to be a pretty addictive mystery. It’s the first book I’ve read by Gillian Flynn, who’s known for her dark thrillers.  This is one of the most hyped books of the summer and I caved in and dropped my name onto the library waiting list. All I knew about the book is that it had some surprising twists, and once I heard that I tried to remain as spoiler free as possible, and avoiding reviews. I never guess plot twists correctly but I wanted to go into the book blind and see if I could figure it out. The plot is pretty dark and twisted and I had a hard time putting it down and read it at every opportunity.

Gone Girl at its core is about Amy and Nick’s dysfunctional marriage. Amy suddenly vanishes on her fifth wedding anniversary, and Nick being the husband is the chief suspect in her disappearance.  The book is told through both Amy and Nick’s perspectives, and Nick covers the present day while Amy’s diary entries provide a glimpse of the past and what led them to this point. The reader is in the dark about what has happened to Amy and if she’s alive or dead. The tricky part is that the narrators are of the unreliable sort so it’s hard to decipher what to believe and if Nick is telling the truth.

I felt a detachment while reading the book mainly I think because the characters are so reprehensible and so it was difficult to connect with them. Flynn keeps you guessing throughout by introducing new evidence throughout so that one-minute you’re sympathetic towards Nick and the next you’re switching sides. After awhile I didn’t know what to believe and so I just enjoyed the ride and watched the events unfold with a strange fascination, prepared for anything to happen.

Though there is a big twist in the book, there are several gotchas in the course of the novel that caught me off guard. The first half is about the unraveling marriage and getting to know Nick and Amy. The second half is where things get really dark and twisty and spiral out of control. This is the part that kept me up late reading and wanting to talk about the twist with someone.

The twist and the ending did not turn out the way I expected, but it was really good and satisfying in a horror film kind of way. I couldn’t help but wonder who would be cast in the film version of Gone Girl, and I hope it translates well to the big screen. If you’ve read the book, who is in your dream cast? I’m looking forward to catching up on Flynn’s other two books sometime, especially if they are anything like Gone Girl. This was a great book to get lost in this summer and recommended to fans of suspenseful thrillers.

Ornament

19 thoughts on “Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn Book Review

  1. I loved this book, but part of me was unsatisfied with the ending. But I don’t see how it could have ended any other way. I have no clue who to cast. Naomi Watts for Amy maybe? Rob Lowe for Nick? No clue…those actors just came to me.

  2. Lucy says:

    Those two actors could be really good! I read Reese Witherspoon might be attached as Amy- I don’t really see her in the part, but who knows.
    I don’t know how else the book could have ended either, the nature of the story makes it a hard one to wrap up I guess. This would be a great book club choice- there’s so many discussion points.
    Thanks for your comment…I’m going to check out your review!

  3. VeganYANerds says:

    Wow, this sounds really good! I have heard the title so often but I didn’t really know much about the story. It sounds like a book that would keep me reading too, I am already intrigued thanks to your wonderful review, hun!

  4. BermudaOnion says:

    This is another huge book that I’m late to the game with. I got it a few weeks ago and hope to get to it soon.

  5. I too loved this book! I’ve heard rumors that there is going to be a movie, I hope they are true. Excellent review!

  6. fishgirl182 says:

    hey i am on the library wait list, too. i wonder if we were on the same one. maybe i will be getting it soon then. 🙂

    i’ve been trying to avoid spoilers, too. everyone i know who has read it has loved it though. glad you liked it and that the ending was unexpected.

  7. bookgoonie says:

    I’ve heard the authors name pop up a few times this week. I may have to check out, but I hate it when both the main characters suck as humans.

  8. shannonjoe says:

    You are right-this book has been much talked about this summer all over the place! I have GOT to read it! 🙂

    Shannon
    http://www.irunreadteach.wordpress.com

  9. I thought they had already cast Reese Witherspoon as Amy…. maybe I am wrong on that.

  10. I loved this book! Perfectly dark and twisted. If you haven’t read her debut Sharp Objects, definitely pick that one up. It’s just as disturbed!

    1. Lucy says:

      Gone Girl is the only book I’ve read by Flynn, but I’m interested in checking out Sharp Objects too. Thanks for the rec!

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