REVIEW: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Title: Gone Girl

Author: Gillian Flynn
Genre: Adult Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Broadway Books

Release Date: May 24, 2012

Acquired: Borrowed from library

Goodreads: ADD

Purchase: Amazon/Indigo/Book Depository

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn’t do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

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I wish there was a way for me to reach inside myself and paste into this post the actual emotions I felt while reading this book. There is no doubt in my mind that this is one of the most thrilling books I have read all year. This review will be solely my feelings on this book, to write any type of synopsis-based review will have me spoiling the whole thing, guaranteed.

I first heard about Gillian Flynn through ChapterStackss on Youtube (check her out here), and was instantly intrigued by her admiration for the author and her work. I KNEW I had to pick one of her books up. I had decided to read them in chronological order, but ended up getting my hands on Gone Girl first.

Best.move.ever.

Not that I'm doubting the greatness of her other works, I'm just ridiculously happy that I decided to read something by her, period. This book was outstanding, and written with tremendous thought and detail. I was in pieces with awe after each new development unfolded. |I was speaking out loud the entire time-I kept saying "HA! How is she going to explain THAT one!"..and then she did, perfectly. I'll admit it: I tried, and failed miserably, to find holes in the plot, I really did, but Ms.Flynn had her detail down to an art, an absolute art. 

And those characters..my goodness. They were the type of characters that you just knew you should despise, loathe, want to condemn. But she knew it, Gillian knew we would do no such thing. The cleverness and the wit of them. The naivety and pathetic charm. I was instantly hooked, and I didn't want it to end.

The conclusion of this book was the real mind blaster. I felt like I was reading the last few chapters while submerged underwater. I didn't want to believe what was happening, but it was happening, and I could either accept it for what it was, or give this book a horrible rating for it. I chose the former, for the simple reason that it was genius. Pure, horrible, insane, wonderful, intellectual, psychological..genius. I sat there, and once again spoke out loud to myself. This time with.."What..did I just read?..

I don't know if I can pick up Gillian's other 2 books fast enough. But I must, and I will. Bravo..just..BRAVO Gillian Flynn.