Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Book Review of Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer? 
   As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

My review: You've seen the headlines and news feeds that do just what is happening in this story. A wife goes missing and we all suspect the husband. This story shows us the inside story of what it's like for those going through this horrific experience. The media will post a picture completely out of context and try to lead the viewers to judge before all the information is out. Guilty or not, you really feel for Nick as his life is turned upside down when his beautiful, intelligent wife Amy goes missing on their 5th anniversary. Nick and Amy's parents have plenty of possible suspects because people are always so obsessed with Amy. She brings that out in others, they just wanted to be her friend or worse, be her. Nick has many secrets that he keeps from the police which doesn't help his case. His lack of being able to show feelings in public and his Chester-cat-grin doesn't help his situation at all. This story keeps you reading on the edge and nothing is what it seems. The story feels vaguely familiar like it was based off of A True Crime story, and really opened my eyes to the truth behind the headline. Gillian is a brilliant writer and knows how to keep you in suspense.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed this book also. I think the author is brilliant in her plot, characters & dialogue. A great read - one that lingers with you long after you shut the last page. It makes you want to talk to someone about it so that you can be sure that what you understand is what you understand. Good Reading. I got her first 2 books that she wrote and they were a little edgier but still great reading. A good author to follow.