---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

03 May 2012

Gone Girl, by Gillian Flynn


Oh, my gawd, Gillian Flynn can WRITE. I am not kidding. When Sharp Objects came out, I read it in a day on a business trip and was freaked out. How can a person write about the dark side of people so realistically and not be sitting in a mental institution? (I mean that in a very complimentary way, of course.)

This was undeniably one of the best books I've read in a while, and I usually get nervous to pronounce this, but not this time. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is, without question, going to end up on my "Best Books Read in 2012" list.

Amy and Nick are the quintessential perfect couple, and while they've had their ups and downs, they're now at their five-year anniversary and it's time to celebrate. Every year, Amy creates a treasure hunt for Nick to track down each gift, and pick up another clue to the next stop, and this year will be like every other. What Nick doesn't realize is that before the day is over, his wife will disappear. Before a few days go by, he becomes the best suspect that the cops in his small town in Missouri can find for Amy's disappearance. The national news picks it up and Nick is vilified, tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion within a couple of weeks.

In a shocking and chilling tale of the insane way our society jumps on cases of pretty women gone missing, Gillian Flynn delivers the personal tale of Nick and Amy, the love they found with each other when they first met in New York and the decline of their relationship as they move back to Nick's home town to take care of his ailing parents, each chapter switching from Nick's current reflections to Amy's diary. But as with any Flynn novel, there are so many more layers to the story than what I just described above. This is an incredible story and I could NOT put this down. I dare you to try to read it and not get so swept up in the personalities for both Nick and Amy, Nick's twin sister Margo (known as 'Go'), Amy's back story of being the inspiration for her parents' successful children's book series called Amazing Amy. It will be a marathon attempt to determine which character you feel the most comfortable with, but at the same time try to swallow that not every person is innocent and instead accept that all are potentially very, very corrupted. You'll take a break from reading the book and realize that an entire evening has passed by.

Sharp Objects powerfully delivered Gillian Flynn's talent so shockingly, even Stephen King was wowed. While Stephen King might be best known for horror (in my recent studies, however, I've come to the realization that he is SO much more than that), it's important to be aware that he is instead more recognizable as a magnificent storyteller. So for King to laud Flynn might initially identify her as a horror writer, let me be clear: Gillian Flynn writes about the dark side of people, the sick and twisted sociopathic ways people control others. It is gritty and uncomfortable, but I think truthful and honest are much more accurate descriptions of how she brings her characters to life. She can tap into the miserable side of human beings, and in a really unnerving way, as a reader, you devour the story and enjoy every single page.

Gillian Flynn can build tension and clearly describe a scene so believably and effectively that you are left reeling; you can smell the stale smoke in a bar, you can taste each scene as though you are living it at that exact moment in time and Gone Girl is just another example of this brilliance in writing. It is every bit as absorbing and compelling, reminding the reader that there are some messed up people in the world. This is a knock out novel of the underside of human nature. The scary thing is that you're going to enjoy it. You want to read more about each of these characters and their tangled, desperate (or perhaps brilliant?) choices they make.

I LOVED this book. LOVED it. You should read it. Ooh, and if this was a book club pick? I would so want to be a fly on the wall for those discussions.

For those attending BEA, Gillian Flynn is scheduled to be there, so make sure you stop by to meet her.

Others said:
Red Headed Book Child

Publisher: Crown Publishing Group
Release Date: 6/5/2012 (available for pre-order now)
Pages: 432

FTC Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley.

About the Author
Gillian Flynn started out as a Human Resources writer for a trade magazine, and then moved on to Entertainment Weekly in New York City for ten years, writing about movies and visiting film sets internationally, including New Zealand for The Lord of the Rings, and to Prague for The Brothers Grimm. Her 2006 debut novel Sharp Objects was an Edgar Awards finalist, and the winner of two of Britain's Dagger awards, the first book ever to win multiple Daggers in one year. It has been published in more than 20 countries. She is currently writing the screenplay adaptation. Her second novel is Dark Places, and her third novel, Gone Girl, will be released in June 2012.

Flynn lives in Chicago with her husband and a giant black cat named Roy.

Visit the author:

27 comments:

  1. Wow, I'll have to try to get hold of this book and to see the author at BEA!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I'd be a total fangirl at BEA if I were attending and getting a chance to meet this author.

      Delete
  2. DAMN! Well, I just got this book in the mail for review for a tour. And you know, I normally don't do tours. They weigh me down and make me unhappy with the deadlines and stuff. But I couldn't resist. I don't review it until the end of June, so I won't be reading it quite yet, but oh I cannot wait. And now I am sitting here feeling like "Sharp Objects" sounds really familiar. I wonder if I have it? Need to go on a treasure hunt.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely read SHARP OBJECTS, that was an incredible book. Super twisted and dark and you'll probably read it in a day. Enjoy!

      Delete
  3. I've read everything written by G.Flynn, and enjoyed all. Glad this is another winner as I have it and hope to get to it soon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane, if you've enjoyed her other works, then you will definitely love this one, too. Definitely another winner, no question about it.

      Delete
  4. Oh my... Where is the next book shop ... I have never even herad of the aothor before but this sure comes with high praise. I agree with you, I'm not much of a horror reader or read a lot of Stephen King but I recognize talent when I see it. He knows how to tell a story so his praise surely means something. Thanks a lot for a great review.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The great thing is that GIllian Flynn isn't a horror writer, but I tend to find her books on the complete sociopathic controls people have over others much more frightening. Enjoy!

      Delete
  5. I was just about to run to the bookstore, then got to the part mentioning a June release... darn!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Put a reminder on your calendar, JoAnn. This is definitely one to read!

      Delete
  6. I just got this book, and now I am SO excited about it! It sounds great and thrillingly unique! I didn't read your review closely, as I want to go in with as few spoilers as possible, but just knowing that this was a favorite of the year has me moving it up on the stack. Can't wait to get to this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope you like it, Heather! I didn't include spoilers in the review, so no worries! I will always gush about this book, so I hope you love it!

      Delete
  7. Wow, this is a very convincing review! I've not read Gillian Flynn before at all, and I don't think this book would really catch my interest without a review to bump it up a few notches. But now that I know about it, I'll keep it on my buy list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Definitely give this one a shot, Aarti! It will surprise you.

      Delete
  8. I have this in my tbr pile and am so anxious to get to it! I've read amazing reviews about her writing and just like you said - her ability to reveal the dark side of human nature so eloquently! Love your review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, do read it right away! I'm probably embarrassing myself with how much I "enjoyed" this twisted book, but I so did. She just has such a freakishly awesome talent in writing genuine characters who are just so very, very messed up.

      Delete
  9. Great review. You've convinced me to add this one to my pile :)
    You have such a beautiful blog.. WOW.

    - Skye
    http://bookiewooks.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Do read it! I hope you enjoy it!

      And thanks for the lovely compliment :)

      Delete
  10. This one hasn't been on my radar because I see the blurb and think "generic." However, you've given me more to think about! I think I might have to give it a go after all.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, no, no, no, this is not generic in the least bit! Give it a chance and I think you'll be completely swept away in this twisted story. Read SHARP OBJECT as well, that was awesome!

      Delete
  11. WOW!!!! Well, for one, you write a killer review, LOL!! But this sounds exactly like something I would love!! I have added this to my list and hope to get to it soon. I have another of Flynn's books on my TBR, but I think I'm going to try to stick to this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Too funny, "killer" review :) Yes, this is one sick and awesome story! Do give it a try and if you have SHARP OBJECTS, read that one, too. No question that both can be "graphic" but they're so absorbing, you get sucked up in it all.

      Delete
  12. Wow, this one sound really intense. Another blogger, I can't remember who, just raved about this one recently too.

    ReplyDelete
  13. I feel your enthusiasm and am very anxious to read this one. I loved her previous books as well.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I read Michelle's review and added it to my Wishlist immediately, I have it in my calendar to download on release date.

    You have also wow'd me, my expectations are high and i'm sure will be met, what a great exciting review Natalie. I love the dark side of people stories, can't wait to read this, 2 more weeks.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Wow, I've got to read this one. It sounds fantastic and right up my alley!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Just finished reading Gone Girl. This was my first Gillian Flynn and I will definitely be looking at her earlier two books. Definitely one of the best psychological thrillers I've read.

    ReplyDelete

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------