Gone Girl. Like Austen's Pride and Prejudice I'm not really sure there's much I can add that hasn't been said by a million people already. I'm gonna go for it anyway.
Amy and Nick Dunne have relocated to a small town in Missouri after the economic downturn forces them to leave their lavish life in New York City. When Amy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary, the cops immediately turn to Nick, and the story begins to unfold from there.
Yeah.. so that's just like a tiny bit of the action packed into this thing. Did I expect everything that was sure to follow part one? Well, yes and no. There were moments, or actions, that were definitely run-of-the-mill, and then there were moments that were like.. what the hell is Flynn doing?!
That was pretty much the whole book. The characters were abrasive and I grew tired of them before finally finishing. I was glad to be rid of them and their twisted dialogue. While I was completely blown away by some of the twists and turns Flynn so artfully placed in the text, I wouldn't say that it would be a top read on my list. I can't site any particular inconsistencies, but I'd say that some events were quite unbelievable. The vulgar language, at times, felt forced and really just didn't do it for me. Otherwise, a great thriller novel.
I've seen numerous comparisons to Tana French, another mystery/thriller author that I absolutely love. Aside from the fact that their work is generally classified as thriller/mystery/crime, there aren't many similarities to warrant such comparison. I find that the writing is much more lyrical in French's work, while Flynn is much more an in-your-face thriller thats prize relies on the mechanics. French usually creates a narrative that is presented by the individuals solving the crime, unlike Flynn, whose characters are those committing the offenses. All and all, if you're looking for a thriller that's going to set you on edge, this is it. It's an entertaining read with many twists and turns.
I read this title to fulfill my pledge to the RIP VII challenge. 2 of 8 completed.
I read one of the first unfavorable reviews of this book yesterday on Farmlane Books and now yours! I was convinced you'd love this one and now I feel like an ass. Sorry! But your review really does solidify my desire to read French. I swear I'm going to try one of hers before 2012 is over!
ReplyDeleteBrenna, Haha. Ok, I definitely didn't hate it! So don't worry about that. I read Jackie's too and felt somewhat similar. You may read French and think I have hyped it up and you hate it. That's all apart of the reading game. It was definitely suspenseful and kept my attention so I didn't regret reading it!
DeleteI'm pretty sure this is the first non-"this is the most awesome book" review I've read. I can't decided about reading this one BUT I am more inclined now to read some French.
ReplyDeleteI'm not going to say that I didn't like this one because then I'd be lying. It was good but not the best thing ever. I'm waiting to hear people tell me they hate Tana French's series.
DeleteI liked this one, but I agree that the characters become so abrasive and destructive that it's hard to care about them too much. This is definitely a book where the story keeps you reading instead of the characters.
ReplyDeleteLindsey,
DeleteI would completely agree that the story drives it more than the characters.
Too many people are reading this and reviewing it so now I HAVE to read it soon!!! Even though you weren't in love, it makes me want to read it more because, either this is the first honest review, or everyone has a different opinion!
ReplyDeleteRebecca,
DeleteIt's definitely a story you don't want to put down because you just have to see what's going to happen next. The characters had to be the way they were to make it work. I just happened to find them annoying. :)
I have to say... I'm a little relieved to finally see a not-completely-positive review of Gone Girl. I'm still excited to read it when my hold (eventually) comes through at the library, but I was worrying that there was too much hype for me to enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI need to read more Tana French soon. I have Faithful Place on my books-to-order list.
Yeah, I feel maybe I was a bit too harsh. It's a great thriller but maybe just not the same type of thing that I am generally in to. Please share once you've read it!
DeleteI was so glad to read your post, because I'm one of the few who posted a negative review of Gone Girl. I just hated the book. I found it to be too predictable and I couldn't stand the characters. And the writing was okay, but it definitely could have been better. I think I just expected so much after reading so many positive reviews of the book and I was very disappointed when I finally read it. Definitely a book I am going to delete from my Kindle. And as far as comparing it to Tana French - um, I'm not seeing it at all. From the bit I read of her work, I would definitely say it is ten times better than Flynn's writing (and I didn't even finish the French book).
ReplyDeleteNadia,
DeleteI'll admit that I didn't know what was going to happen. Part two was certainly a shocker. I was less impressed with the writing and just didn't see the comparison to Tana French. I'd still suggest people read it because it is a good thriller, but I'd just mention the language. Many people are fine with that type of dialogue so it's really all about perspective. But I just couldn't say it was the best book of the year.
I'm even more curious about it now. Flynn has been revered as being in the Megan-Abbott-league of lady-sleuth-writers. Now that a reviewer I trust didn't like the book...well, this calls for deeper investigation...
ReplyDeleteBen,
DeleteI meant to tell you that I just got my first Megan Abbott in the mail the other day. I'll let you know how it goes. I think she's incredible at creating a fast paced thriller. I guess I was just less impressed with the writing especially compared to French. Can you please get around to reading her so we can discuss?!?!? Haha.
lol! I will. In the meantime, let Abbott corrode your spirit!
ReplyDeleteI'll be sure to report to you with my opinions. :)
DeleteI really enjoyed this one, but I was also lucky enough to read it before the hype exploded, so I merely added to the hype. I think part of what I loved about it was the glimpse it provided into Flynn's brain: she had both the creativity and restraint to tell this story in a very powerful way. I also really liked how she incorporated issues of social justice through the economic downtown. Regardless, I'm determined to finally dig into French sometime this year!
ReplyDeleteCarrie,
DeleteI agree that Flynn is a talented storyteller. I think I tend to get hung up on the language even if I think the construction of the story itself is stellar. She definitely created a city with a gloom in the air after so many people loosing so many jobs. Like French's latest it kind of questions what people will do when they've lost it all.
I was one of the ones who fell all over myself loving this book, but maybe because I read it right before they hype? I did hate all of the characters, but I was totally okay with that, and thought it made for an even darker and twisted book. Now, I will say that if you haven't read Flynn's debut Sharp Objects, definitely pick that up. I'd love to get your thoughts on it!
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, I'm also one of those folks who have yet to read Tana French! Grr. Not sure what I'm waiting for.
Natalie, I thought that it was perfectly paced and that Amy and Nick couldn't have been any other way in order to make it work. I guess it's just not the style I typically enjoy. I did enjoy it but don't think I was as starry-eyed as much as everyone else. YES! READ FRENCH NOW. :)
DeleteI am not familiar with Tana French. Thanks for the recommendation. Gone Girl was a real page turner!
ReplyDeleteOh, sounds so familiar. I'm about to finish this one (likely today) and the same as you, it's not definitely something I'd pick up on my own, but "Gone Girl" definitely triggered my interest when I read about it in the blog world. Part of the charm was probably that you cannot really write a single thing about this book without potentially spoiling something :) I think it's this kind of book that can be summarized with "entertainment done well". Plus characters are quite interesting to observe.
ReplyDelete