Saturday, October 4, 2014

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

I really loved this book.  The writing was excellent.  The story was fast-paced and gripping.  I absolutely could not figure out how it would end - until the end.  There are some things that were predictable (like Amy using Nick's sperm), but I didn't know exactly what she was going to do with it - or when.  I like how the author dispersed "clues" throughout the novel, but you don't realize they are clues until it's brought up again much later.  For example, Nick notices that the cat's dish is filled with food after Amy's abduction/murder, but he thinks a nice policeman has filled it so the cat doesn't go hungry.  Hundreds of pages later we find out that Amy did it herself because she doesn't think Nick will think about doing it.  Nick knows how much Amy loves the cat because he comments that she never lets the cat outside, when the neighbor calls to tell him that the front door is open and the cat is on the porch.  I think as the story - and Nick - evolves throughout the book, Nick WOULD have found it strange that the cat's dish was full and that's it's proof that Amy did it herself.  At the beginning he was just trying to figure everything out.

I think the author did a great job of having us doubt Nick and support Amy - and then do a complete 180 halfway through!  Amy's intelligence alone is impressive, which also impresses Nick even while he hates her and dreams of killing her.  Nick is also funny, which is weird considering his predicament, but I actually chuckled out loud at some of his comments.


I was happy that it wasn't all "smooth sailing" for Amy.  I was a bit surprised that she accepted the theft of her money as well as she did.  I wouldn't mess with a sociopath the way that her "Ozark friends" did!  The whole time I thought they knew who she was, but apparently, they were just interested in her money.  And then there is freaky Desi.  I seriously thought Amy had met her match with him.  But, wrong!  So wrong.  I'll admit that I thought there was some sort of incestuous relationship between Desi and his mother, but I guess he just spent his life pinning for Amy....


Finally, the end.  It could have ended several different ways.  I feared that Nick would actually kill Amy - and then go to prison (worst ending).  I wondered if Amy would kill Nick because he kept challenging her at the end instead of "playing his part" (worrisome ending). I hoped that Nick could prove his case (wishful thinking).  But considering everything, I guess the only way it could end was the way it did.  I loved their last conversation:  Amy: "Why are you so wonderful to me?"

Nick: "Because I feel sorry for you....Because every morning you have to wake up and be you."  Amy: I really, truly wish he hadn't said that.  I keep thinking about it.  I can't stop.  What a great synopsis of their marriage!  Nick grew some balls - and Amy scares the living daylights out of me! ;)

Wendy's Rating: *****

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