I have to admit I picked up the book after seeing the trailers of the movie based on this book. I was intrigued by the mystery that the trailer was hinting at and being a firm believer that nothing can beat reading the actual book, I read Gone Girl by an author I had never read before.
The book is about the mystery surrounding Amy Elliot, wife of Nick Dunne who goes missing on their fifth anniversary. It is an interesting tale of events that keep you guessing and also amaze you at the detailing a person can go into; to make events happen.
The Couple were writers of sorts by profession before being laid off and moving to Nick’s hometown of North Carthage, Missouri. The first chapter gives you a quick brief on their lives till the morning that Amy goes missing. It is interesting enough to get your attention and leave you wanting to read more. It’s the chapters thereafter that take a while to get into a rhythm or pattern of some kind. The author tends to switch from the present day to days over the past five years and can sometimes leave you a little disoriented.
The writing is very direct but bordering on cynical and sneaky. Gillian Flynn keeps the plot twisted and forever changing till you realize the final plot and the amazing wickedness and faultless planning of the parties involved. I dare not say more on this as it would easily kill the suspense.
The book takes us through various relationships its nuances and the common farce attached to each. The love, lies, deceit, compromise, sacrifices made are so true to life till it shows the extremes of a few personality and leaves you questioning the viability of the plot. It could be the life of the guy next door till the mystery sets in. I liked the reality with which she has created each persona especially Nick Dunne who despite all you tend to feel sorry for. He is like every Mamma’s boy and Gillian does not hold back in sharing all his flaws.
Amy Elliot on the other hand comes across as this poor rich girl struggling to find her own place, her own special partner or relationship and most importantly acceptance for who she truly is and not the “Amazing Amy” her “far removed from reality” parents have created and marketed through their books based on her.
There is mystery, romance, humor (in a dark way), thrill and suspense in a chilling way that amazes you by the end of it – all perfect ingredients for a fun and on the edge kind of read. I will look out for more of Gillian Flynn for sure.
