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Tatiana's Reviews > Gone Girl
Gone Girl
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by
Tatiana's review
bookshelves: 2012, mysteries-thrillers-horror, chick-lit, why-the-hype
Jun 27, 2010
bookshelves: 2012, mysteries-thrillers-horror, chick-lit, why-the-hype
As seen on The Readventurer
I am giving Gone Girl 3 stars, but only begrudgingly. In my mind, any book that takes me 3 months and 20 different tries to read is not worth 3 (i-liked-it on Goodreads) stars, especially a book written by an author I already respect. And I am not kidding, for me the first half of Gone Girl was a PURE TORTURE to read.
Amy Dunn disappears on the day of her 5th wedding anniversary. All gradually uncovered evidence suggests that her husband, Nick, is somehow involved. Did he kill her? Was she kidnapped? What happened to Amy? One thing is clear, Nick and Amy's marriage wasn't as perfect as everybody thought.
The first part of the novel is all about the investigation into Amy's disappearance, slow unraveling of Nick's dirty secrets, reminiscing about the troubled history of Nick and Amy's marriage as told in Amy's hidden diary. I strained and strained my brain trying to understand why this chunk of Gone Girl had no appeal to me whatsoever. The only answer I have is this: I am really not into reading about rich white people's problems. You want to whine to me about your dwindling trust fund? Losing your cushy New York job? Moving south and "only" renting a mansion there? Being unhappy because you have too much free time on your hands and you are used to only work as a hobby? You want to make fun of your lowly, un-posh neighbors and their casseroles? Well, I am not interested. I'd rather read about someone not necessarily likable, but at least worthy of my empathy, not waste my time on self-centered, spoiled, pathetic people who don't know what real problems are. Granted, characters in Flynn's previous novels (Sharp Objects and Dark Places) are pretty pathetic and and at times revolting too, but I always felt some strange empathy towards them, not annoyance and boredom, like I felt reading about Amy and Nick's marriage woes.
But then second part, with its wicked twist, changed everything. The story became much more exciting, dangerous and deranged. The main characters revealed sides to them that were quite shocking and VERY entertaining. I thought the Gillian Flynn I knew before finally unleashed her talent for writing utterly unlikable and crafty women. THEN I got invested in the story, THEN I cared.
Was it too little too late though? I think it was. Something needed to be done to make Gone Girl a better read. Make it shorter? Cut out first part completely? I don't know. But because of my uneven experience with this novel I won't be able to recommend Gone Girl as readily as I did Flynn's earlier novels, even though I think this horror marriage story (it's not a true mystery, IMO) has some brilliantly written psycho goodness in it and an absolutely messed up ending that many loathed but I LOVED. I wish it didn't take so much time and patience to get to all of that...
I am giving Gone Girl 3 stars, but only begrudgingly. In my mind, any book that takes me 3 months and 20 different tries to read is not worth 3 (i-liked-it on Goodreads) stars, especially a book written by an author I already respect. And I am not kidding, for me the first half of Gone Girl was a PURE TORTURE to read.
Amy Dunn disappears on the day of her 5th wedding anniversary. All gradually uncovered evidence suggests that her husband, Nick, is somehow involved. Did he kill her? Was she kidnapped? What happened to Amy? One thing is clear, Nick and Amy's marriage wasn't as perfect as everybody thought.
The first part of the novel is all about the investigation into Amy's disappearance, slow unraveling of Nick's dirty secrets, reminiscing about the troubled history of Nick and Amy's marriage as told in Amy's hidden diary. I strained and strained my brain trying to understand why this chunk of Gone Girl had no appeal to me whatsoever. The only answer I have is this: I am really not into reading about rich white people's problems. You want to whine to me about your dwindling trust fund? Losing your cushy New York job? Moving south and "only" renting a mansion there? Being unhappy because you have too much free time on your hands and you are used to only work as a hobby? You want to make fun of your lowly, un-posh neighbors and their casseroles? Well, I am not interested. I'd rather read about someone not necessarily likable, but at least worthy of my empathy, not waste my time on self-centered, spoiled, pathetic people who don't know what real problems are. Granted, characters in Flynn's previous novels (Sharp Objects and Dark Places) are pretty pathetic and and at times revolting too, but I always felt some strange empathy towards them, not annoyance and boredom, like I felt reading about Amy and Nick's marriage woes.
But then second part, with its wicked twist, changed everything. The story became much more exciting, dangerous and deranged. The main characters revealed sides to them that were quite shocking and VERY entertaining. I thought the Gillian Flynn I knew before finally unleashed her talent for writing utterly unlikable and crafty women. THEN I got invested in the story, THEN I cared.
Was it too little too late though? I think it was. Something needed to be done to make Gone Girl a better read. Make it shorter? Cut out first part completely? I don't know. But because of my uneven experience with this novel I won't be able to recommend Gone Girl as readily as I did Flynn's earlier novels, even though I think this horror marriage story (it's not a true mystery, IMO) has some brilliantly written psycho goodness in it and an absolutely messed up ending that many loathed but I LOVED. I wish it didn't take so much time and patience to get to all of that...
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Reading Progress
June 27, 2010
– Shelved
March 22, 2012
–
Started Reading
June 12, 2012
–
29.59%
"Giving it one last try. If even audio doesn't do it for me, I am out."
page
124
June 21, 2012
– Shelved as:
2012
June 21, 2012
– Shelved as:
mysteries-thrillers-horror
June 21, 2012
–
Finished Reading
June 22, 2012
– Shelved as:
chick-lit
July 19, 2012
– Shelved as:
why-the-hype
Comments Showing 1-50 of 318 (318 new)
message 1:
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[deleted user]
(new)
Mar 23, 2012 06:12AM
Netgalley just accepted my request to read this! Are you liking it?
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This would be my first novel by Flynn. Maybe I should save this on my Kindle and read one of her better books first?
Did you get it from NG, Michelle? I am actually stuck at about page 100 of this. This has been a disappointment for me, to be sure.
I picked this one up too and now I'm worried... haha
Tatiana wrote: "Did you get it from NG, Michelle? I am actually stuck at about page 100 of this. This has been a disappointment for me, to be sure."
yes! I was hoping it was gonna be good. :(
Bummer...I really liked Sharp Objects and was looking forward to another Flynn book but you're making me think I shouldn't rush to read this one.
Have not read Dark Places yet, I'll try that one. :)
I am only at 7% and am liking it. Hopefully it stays strong for me.
Regina wrote: "I am only at 7% and am liking it. Hopefully it stays strong for me."Glad you are liking it better than I did.
Looking over the 3 star reviews, it appears that many people liked the beginning but felt betrayed after the beginning was over. I am hoping I stay firmly in the 4-5 star camp. :) I want to be thoroughly pyschologically disturbed when I finish this book.
I am going to give it another go once audio is out, but right now I am just not too eager to get back to it. I think I've read about 100 pages of it thus far.
Tatiana, were you luke warm right away (I know Michelle was) or did it happen at a certain point. (Yes I am over analzying this). For the past year, have been looking so forward to sinking into this book and Broken Harbour that I need to love them.
I am looking at my only update and it looks like I was bored by 14%. I think I just was getting annoyed that it wasn't a mystery, but a marriage drama involving two spoiled rich people I couldn't care about. That's the general impression I have of this book at the moment. You need to read some 5-star reviews to create some enthusiasm in yourself for it, not listen to me whine:).
I didn't know Michelle already tried reading it. No go for her?
Haha. :) I am going to ignore your whines from here on out.Michelle also was bored and stopped.
I am liking the emotional drama and the economic instability aspect, plus I like the return to the small town (reminds me of my own home town). So maybe I will be okay. *sigh of relief*. I look forward to being horrified by the low levels human nature can sink to.
Tatiana wrote: "I didn't know Michelle already tried reading it. No go for her?"I think I stopped and started this book 4 times now. I just cannot get into it. I think audiobook would be the way to go, I'm much more tolerant of audiobooks.
In retrospect, I think this would have been a lot better on audiobook too.
Michelle, the Bookshelf Stalker wrote: "Tatiana wrote: "I didn't know Michelle already tried reading it. No go for her?"I think I stopped and started this book 4 times now. I just cannot get into it. I think audiobook would be the way ..."
Michelle, it was the same for me. I would pick it up, read 10 pages or so, and then don't want to see it again, until the next time I convince myself to give it another try for old time's sake.
Why do you think you can't get into it?
Bonnie wrote: "In retrospect, I think this would have been a lot better on audiobook too."Let's hope it is read in a way that will keep us connected to the story. Some narrators can put you to sleep too.
Tatiana wrote: "Bonnie wrote: "In retrospect, I think this would have been a lot better on audiobook too."Let's hope it is read in a way that will keep us connected to the story. Some narrators can put you to sl..."
Yes, a good narrator is vital. :)
Yay! You did it! hahaha
Yeah. It was a MAJOR achievement:)
Well, bravo. Look forward to your review. :)
I personally loved this book! I'm a huge fan of Gillian- especially Sharp Objects. And I liked this book just as much. I really appreciated how much work she had to have put into it- I really enjoyed it. Would love to hear what others think after reading it- I have recommended it to quite a few friends!
Sorry- one other question- has anyone read "into the darkest corner?" by Elizabeth Haynes? They reminded me of each other- only because both authors really built the stories up slowly and with great detail. Would love to know what everyone thinks of both books!
I think Sharp Objects is my favorite Flynn novel. Haven't heard of the other author. If you say they are similar, I'd be interested in checking her out.
I don't know if the authors are necessarily similar- but the book was dark and so detailed. After I read it, I thought the author described the subject so well, that she must have lived it! Just one of those books that stays with you and you keep going back over the details. I was like that with Sharp Objects and Gone Girl as well. "into the darkest corner" is a debut novel by an english author and I can't wait to read anything she writes next.
Speaking of rich white people, this book was recommended in Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP newsletter yesterday. Hahaha. Great review, Tatiana. :)
Maggie wrote: "Speaking of rich white people, this book was recommended in Gwyneth Paltrow's GOOP newsletter yesterday. Hahaha. Great review, Tatiana. :)"LOL. I am not surprised:)
And yeah, I am totally prejudiced against rich white people.
Funny how I too, am indifferent towards books about rich white people and their trivial problems, yet Young Adult books about teenage girls crushing over boys, problems with friends, and so forth (usually) entertain me. Both are considered first- world problems, yet books geared towards teens are something I favour much more. Strange, huh?
I think I'll try reading Dark Objects though. :) Excellent reviews for it!
I think I'll try reading Dark Objects though. :) Excellent reviews for it!
Leanne wrote: "Funny how I too, am indifferent towards books about rich white people and their trivial problems, yet Young Adult books about teenage girls crushing over boys, problems with friends, and so forth (..."How funny- I totally relate to that and agree. Please read Dark Objects- its awesome! very dark.
Yes, I feel the same way. Teen problems I am more inclined to empathize with, but once people enter adulthood, the scope of the problems I care to read about gets significantly narrower. Do you mean Dark Places? I think if you don't require likable characters in your books, it can be a good read. I "enjoyed" it, as far as a book so dark and revolting can be enjoyed.
Tatiana wrote: "Yes, I feel the same way. Teen problems I am more inclined to empathize with, but once people enter adulthood, the scope of the problems I care to read about gets significantly narrower. Do you ..."
Good catch! Don't read Dark Places first, IMO. Sharp Objects was a much better book. I liked Dark Places, but really disliked the characters as well.
Totally agree about the rich people problems!
*facepalm* Oh, whoops. :/
I think I'll try reading DarkObjects Places though. :)
Fixed it. ;)
I think I'll try reading Dark
Fixed it. ;)
Great review! I just got finished reading Sharp Objects, which was my first book by her. I loved it.
Honestly - Tatiana's reviews alone are worth being a GR member for! Great summary and I think I'd enjoy this book. But your reviews make me feel so inadequate, I simply can't express my thoughts about a book this well however much I'd like to.
You are too kind, Hannah...Hope you like the book.
...this horror marriage story (it's not a true mystery, IMO) has some brilliantly written psycho goodness in it and an absolutely messed up ending that many loathed but I LOVED.Great review. I've been cautiously trying to decide whether to read this. The statement above is the very thing I'm curious about and reason I am considering it. On the other hand, your first paragraph might be a more compelling reason for me to steer clear. I guess I need to decide whether I have the patience to get to the "psycho-goodness" and the stomach for the twisted mess it seems to be.
Anyway, excellent review! Ty.
Yes, hard to recommend this book. Even though Gone Girl is getting such a massive hype, Flynn's earlier novels are better, IMO.
Totally agree with you, I'm on my way for the 4th time to read this book.....this is the last time, if it doesn't work, it won't be finished. I just can't understand all of the 5 star ratings;(
Reading the first half of the book was pure torture. I kept thinking 'move along already'. Getting to the second half (I haven't finished it yet) has been more enjoyable, but it's still a slooooooow read.
Loved Tatiana's reviews that it took her from March to June to read.....I will keep plucking away at it...........maybe my review will read from May to December:(
I am amazed you ladies try so hard. Seriously, it is okay not to finish a book. I do it all the time. I felt the book was compelling but predictable. I am shocked people did not see part 2 coming.
Mary wrote: "I am amazed you ladies try so hard. Seriously, it is okay not to finish a book. I do it all the time. I felt the book was compelling but predictable. I am shocked people did not see part 2 com..."
Oh, I have no problem abandoning any book. But I guess in this case I had a tiny hope it would get better? Because I REALLY enjoyed Flynn's earlier novels.
