Sunday 28 October 2012

Gone Girl Done Gone Cray Cray



Gone Girl-Gillian Flynn

This novel was a difficult read because the characters challenge you to like them. I am the type of reader that likes to be able to relate to at least one character in a book. Gone Girl makes this difficult because Amy and Nick are innately unlikable people. The are moments when you feel for the missing girl and other times where you are totally on Nick's side. Flynn's dialogue and writing style manages to make you want to keep reading even if you just want to throw the book in the trash. It's like watching a movie about people you really don't like, but you still can't keep your eyes off the screen. Flynn definitely takes you on a twisted journey into a very disturbed marriage. This novel gives one insight on a relationship between two people who have been putting on faces for each other. Flynn embarks on a discussion of relationships, sexuality and modern gender relations. Are all women merely pretending to be what men desire in order to win over the man they love. What happens when they stop pretending? Can we still be worthy of love. Amy has an extreme reaction to a heart-breaking reality. I'm not going to tell you what that is, but it would give away too much. This novel is like reaching inside the mind of a psychopath and sociopath. Can too crazy people build a life together or should they be together simply to save others from their insanity.

The Amy you are presented with at the beginning of the novel while flawed is still somewhat relatable, but 
as the author peels away her layers and you are introduced to the real Amy  you'll be shocked at who she really is. Nick has moments where you just want to hug him until you realize that he's been lying to the audience much like he lies to everyone in his life. The truth of who he is makes you wonder how anyone is capable of loving this man or if he is even capable of loving himself. Some of the more interesting themes in this novel include the construction of media images. The media plays such a key role in how Nick's image is framed and even makes the reader start to doubt his innocence. The author even pokes fun of Nancy Grace and her rabid desire to go after anyone who looks even remotely guilty. The representation of midnight vigils and the public desire to intrude on the lives of people they cannot truly understand. The author makes you wonder who is really crazy: the potential victim or the potential murderer.
The book is worth reading because it definitely challenges the reader to question how we see the world, 
marriage, the media and crime.

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