Monday 4 February 2013

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Some books get talked about so much that you really had to read it to know, what it is all about. Gone Girl came with lots of recommendation and justifies it too. The premise of Gone Girl is very close to Linwood Barclay's Never Look Away which I read in 2011 but did not review. While Never Look Away is a thriller, Gone Girl is more psychological, both ask the question what do you really know about the person you have lived with for years.

This story is narrated in part in first person by Nick Dunne and in part from Amy's diary. On the fifth anniversary of their wedding, Amy goes missing. 'What happened to Amy?' is the question our dear Nick never asks. I have never read a book in first person where the narrator alienates himself from the reader(me). I couldn't help wondering that there is definitely something wrong here. However evil, cruel or whatever a person is, he or she in first person narrative tries to present themselves in a sympathetic viewpoint. There are discrepancies in the narratives, which initially read like the story Harry and Sally say. For example, Nick is not happy with the first anniversary gift, while Amy feels she has got him what he really wanted. As the discrepancies grow, we can't help questioning who is telling the truth and how much of truth both are telling.

There are those twists and turns, and surprises. Amy's parents who have 'exploited' her childhood with Amazing Amy books are really a masterpiece. Nick and Amy are really made for each other. Flynn takes us on a psychological journey into love, marriage and after. If love brings out the best in you, marriage brings out the worst in you. But I am not happy with the ending which is quite 'nuclear'. Do we not really know our spouses? ; )

3 comments:

neer said...

Thanks for the review Valli. I had heard a lot about the book and now thanks to you know what it is about. It does sound intriguing but the end... I am not sure I'll be picking up this book.

srivalli said...

Hi Neer, Thanks for stopping by! I didn't like the ending but many have liked it. Let that not be the reason stopping you from picking up the book, may be you will like it.

Unknown said...

Simply put, I loved the book but hated the ending. After investing that much time in reading the book ,the ending was a big let down to me.

Mica
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