Our hosts Kathy and Diana agree to disagree about the likability of Gillian Flynn’s latest novel, Gone Girl, a New York Times bestseller.
The marriage of Nick and Amy Dunne unravels as Flynn exposes readers to back stories and plot twists that reveal unlikable characteristics in both individuals, including a healthy dose of lying. Open this book and be taken on a mystery, but be warned, you might not like where you end up.
“I threw the book across the room when I got to the end and went, ‘you have got to be kidding me?!’” Kathy said. Diana thought it was real page-turner, and while she admits the characters were despicable, they were well-written, she said. She was content with the ending (no spoiler here or in the video above), while Kathy was obviously not.
The book switches back and forth between Amy’s and Nick’s narration, a technique neither reviewer liked that much. The reader joins them just as the couple has moved to Missouri from New York City – much to Amy’s chagrin – to care for Nick’s ailing mother. Amy goes missing early on in the story and through her diary entries and Nick’s real-time narration (switching back and forth) their dismal marriage and clues to her disappearance are slowly revealed.
Check out this book and then chime in. Do you agree with Kathy? or Diana? These gals are dying to hear from you. Post your comments below.
All Booked Up Rating:
Kathy: Toss It
Diana: Stylin’
5 Responses to All Booked Up: Gone Girl
Stephanie Hall
September 10, 2012
I agree wholeheartedly with Kathy. This book made me so mad! I felt Nick was weak and Amy was flat out crazy. The ending made me sick. Really!! Bringing a baby into the mix. AAAAHHHHH!!
Kathy Jennings
September 10, 2012
Thanks Stephanie. When I read the ending I just thought it was a waste of my time. I also think there could be a sequel to the book too.
Scarlett Fisher-Herreman
September 10, 2012
I felt so played by Amy. I felt somewhat the same way about Nick as well but he seemed to be more honest than her in telling us his version of events. Amy was just psycho! The ending was so dark and unfinished. I’m scared for that baby.
I will say that I enjoyed Margo, Nick’s sister. She was a fun character, at least to the extent we got to know her through Nick’s telling of events. And while I didn’t like the ending, it was a fun page turner of a book.
Deb Southerland
September 18, 2012
I didn’t even read the book, but I sure liked watching the review.
Dana
September 21, 2012
I loved this book. I could not put it down. I understand readers having trouble with the ending but if you really think about it Nick and Amy got what they deserved in the end.
I agree with the reviewer that sometimes I liked the characters and sometimes I hated them, but I think that makes for a more realistic read. Real people aren’t all good or all bad. Sometimes we do kind things and sometimes we do terrible things (although hopefully not to the extent of Nick and Amy).
My only complaint (and it is not important to the plot, it just drove me nuts) was that Nick kept calling his sister Margo by the nickname “Go”. This is not a common nickname and as I read I kept thinking it was being used as a verb. I had to constantly re-read sentences to determine whether “Go” was being used as a name or a verb. It was jarring.