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What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

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Original poster

Just read "Gone Girl"... feeling a bit shell-shocked and horrified

72 replies

Jacksmania · 17/03/2013 16:56

^ that's it, really...

The ending left me feeling like "WTF?" ...

Also feel a bit like "what was the point of that????"

It's obviously well written, it completely sucked me on, and not only because I wanted to know how it ended, but now I feel a bit helpless and horrified.

What did anyone else think?

OP posts:

JamieandtheMagicTorch · 17/03/2013 22:47

Am halfway. Just past the twist, which I had sort of guessed.So far I am finding it disturbing. Very very astutely written.

I will go away now and come back when I've finished

comfysofas · 18/03/2013 08:13

1/4 in... no twist yet.

Jemimapuddleduk · 18/03/2013 08:20

I thought it was a fab book, very dark and lots of twists. I totally didn't predict the final twist at the ending though. It was different to any other thriller I have read in that I did not like or relate to any if the characters at all.

FarleyD · 18/03/2013 12:18

I've just finished this too. Really disappointed after hearing so many good things about the book. Thought ending was unbelievable, thought Nick was one dimensional character who just didn't behave as you would in his situation, and portrayal of the two detectives was weak.

Amy is a good character, very easy to hate her, and I did read the book quickly but overall not as I'd hoped.

CoteDAzur · 18/03/2013 17:21

How do you think it should have ended?

BaconAndAvocado · 18/03/2013 20:00

I loved this book but also felt a sense of injustice with the ending.

Thought the line where Nick tells Amy he feels sorry for her because she has to wake up every day and be her, was excellent. This went some way to,making me feel Amy got her comeuppance!

Thought the description of the deterioration of their relationship and Amy's calculating nature were absolutely superb. Thought the concept of "Cool Girl" was very very believable. I've certainly been Cool Girl at the beginning of some of my long ago relationships!!

Will aim to read her other novels soon.

SPBInDisguise · 18/03/2013 20:03

There was a web chat with author a few weeks ago. I thought it was good!

BaconAndAvocado · 18/03/2013 20:03

cote I think it should have ended with Amy getting found out and going to,prison for a very long time.

I really liked the character of Nick

CoteDAzur · 18/03/2013 20:38

That would be such a cliché.

This ending is better. More daring. Original. The monster wins and there is nothing the protagonist can do about it.

It happens much more frequently in RL than in books, for some reason.

difficultpickle · 18/03/2013 20:52

I hated it as I thought that Nick and Amy deserved each other and I really didn't care what happened to either of them.

BaconAndAvocado · 18/03/2013 22:11

It would have been a cliche but oh so satisfying

MNHQ

GeraldineMumsnet · 19/03/2013 16:37

@SPBInDisguise

There was a web chat with author a few weeks ago. I thought it was good!

We're glad you enjoyed it SPB.

Here's the bookclub Q&A with Gillian Flynn where she tackles the ending, and lots of other stuff about Gone Girl.

DamnDeDoubtance · 19/03/2013 19:40

I loved this and subsequently read her other two books which I enjoyed even more.

whatwoulddexterdo · 19/03/2013 20:30

I found this book almost unbearably tense. I thought it was very well plotted and the change of narratives, both written in the first person added to the intrigue and made it harder to know who was telling the truth. I liked the ending, as unsettling as it was it didn't go for the happy ever after. I need to reread it at a slower pace when I have more time.
As an aside I couldn't get into either of her other bo

FarleyD · 19/03/2013 20:48

I can't see anybody in their right mind ending up with Amy. But then perhaps Nick isn't in his right mind after all that's happened! I think Desi's Mum should have exacted revenge on Amy! Thanks for the link to the Q & A session, will go and read.

catchafallingstar · 19/03/2013 23:50

Loved it. Finished it today although only really got into it after the 'halfway' point.

Would have like the author to prolong the ending -loved the interplay between the two of them. Go was a waste of time though - story could easily have been written without her.

bunnybing · 20/03/2013 10:04

Really enjoyed this book , though was routing for Nick by the end so would have preferred a different ending. Disagree that Go was a waste of time- she was necessary as someone 'sane' for Nick to talk to.

BaconAndAvocado · 20/03/2013 12:19

Ooh, looking forward to that webchat, thanks!

bedmonster · 20/03/2013 21:16

I loved it. Totally knew what the twist was going to be, and enjoyed the story. Amy was completely sick and twisted. Thought the ending was a let down though, how she escaped from whatshisname, and turned back up on her own doorstep.
Didn't like either of the main characters, so for me I found it unusual to enjoy the story as I had a complete lack of empathy for either of them.
I read it in about 5 hours from start to finish, very pacy.

hackmum · 25/03/2013 08:57

Just finished it. I enjoyed it, but am a bit puzzled by all the hype - it's just a good thriller, really, and there are quite a few good thrillers around. I did sort of guess the twist - quite odd to have the major twist half way through.

I didn't think either of the main characters were particularly believable, and Go was completely unbelievable. Both the detectives seemed not very well drawn. The ending also stretched credulity - he could have just walked out on her at that point.

mizu · 04/04/2013 15:26

I really liked it and couldn't wait to get back to reading it every opportunity I could.

Southeastdweller · 21/04/2013 09:23

I just finished it. It kept me gripped but the implausibilities irked me, the supporting characters were badly-written and the twist half way through was disappointing. I enjoyed the knowing details of relationships, though, and the ending was fairly effective and thoughtful and reminded me a little of Notes on a Scandal. I HATED Amy and would have loved to have read that Nick finished the bitch off.

Not something I want to re-read and will be giving this to a charity shop next weekend.

In much need of something light to read now.

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 22/04/2013 11:07

I am about 30% through and really struggling to get into it. It isn't drawing me in and I'm finding I have to reread some lines to force myself to like the book. I shall persevere and I will finish it. Hoping the second half is an improvement.

Southeastdweller · 22/04/2013 20:39

Has anyone read her other two books? I'm hoping they're better.

tumbletumble · 23/04/2013 08:34

I thought the ending was brilliant - completely unpredictable yet somehow realistic given the characters of Amy and Nick.

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