Thriller
Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn
Genre: Thriller
Publication Date: April 22, 2014
Number of Pages: 415
Geographical Setting: New York City and Missouri
Time Period: Takes place early 2000s; 2005-2011
Series (If applicable): None
Plot Summary: Nick Dunne comes home after work to his home in utter disarray and his wife, Amy, missing. The novel progresses from Nick’s perspective and his wife’s diary. Nick is blamed for his wife’s disappearance and maybe - murder. As more information is discovered and released, the reader doesn’t know who to trust, Nick or Amy. Is Amy really gone or is this an elaborate trick?
Subject Headings: Thriller, Murder, Deception
Appeal:
- Moving plot - The story continues, always giving you something to think about. Once you figure something out, something new appears, leaving on a cliff hanger. Flynn writes an intriguing, inviting story.
- Straight forward text - Flynn writes his characters authentically. They are vivid and mysterious. They each have flaws, yet can you trust them?
- Whodunnit? - Who killed Amy? Is Amy still alive? Is Nick trustworthy?
Rule of 3:
- Addicting - events move quickly and end abruptly, making you want more
- Flawed - all of the characters are flawed, yet you can empathize with them
- Justice - crimes have been committed, wrongs have been done; who will be served justice?
Elements of Thriller (taken from Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction)
- Rapid pace - the pages keep turning
- Conspiracies thrive - Is Amy dead? Did Nick kill Amy? What happened in their marriage?
- Extensive details - the reader gets immense details of the lives of Nick and Amy
- Sympathetic characters - Nick and Amy are authentic, with real struggles and real joys
- Frequent plot twists - What will happen next? Which perspective will end on a cliff hanger?
Similar Authors and Works:
- The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
- The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
- Unbecoming by Rebecca Scherm
- The Dinner by Herman Koch
Resources
Goodreads. (2018). Gone Girl. Book image and suggestions retrieved from
Saricks, J. (2009). The Readers’ Advisory Guide to Genre Fiction (2nd e.d.). Chicago:
American Library Association.
Paige,
ReplyDeleteI remember when this book was released as a movie, and all of my friends wanted to go see it! (I didn't personally, since it seemed to be something I wouldn't necessarily enjoy watching on the big screen). However, now that some time has passed, and the hype around the movie has gone down, I've been tempted to get my hands on a copy of the book and give that a try. Looking over your annotation, I'm intrigued to see how much mystery seems to be connected to the thriller elements of it. The fact that the reader seems to question the entire time what really happened would probably appeal to those who like to be kept on the edge of their seats! Does this book contain any thematic elements which might make people who are new to this genre uncomfortable? Sometimes, the story is fast-paced enough that people will overlook certain things which would, in slower books, both them greatly (like certain scenes in different kinds of romances).
Sarah
Hi Paige! Would you recommend someone who has already seen the movie go ahead and read the book? Is it worth reading if you already know the twist? I should have read the darn thing when there was all the hype surrounding it, but I never got around to it. I like the movie and thought Rosamund Pike (can't believe she played Jane in P&P ) was excellent. I should have asked you, but did you see the movie because if you didn't this is not a fair question. I agree with you that Girl on the Train is a good recommendation for a reader of Gone Girl.
ReplyDeleteHi, Paige! I would be curious to know the answer to Katie's question, as well! I have only seen the movie too, and I thought it was great. I saw that you mentioned Paula Hawkins as a read-alike- her book "Into the Water" was fantastic- it also has a great twist!
DeleteWell, I have the movie from the library...but have not watched it yet! Honestly, I wouldn't want to deter anyone from reading a book, but I'm not sure it would be best to read the book if you have already seen the movie. I'm sure there are more details in the book than in the movie, but you lose all the suspense and "thrill" when you know what is going to happen. I did the opposite when it came to the Murder on the Orient Express. I listened to the audiobook - which is phenomenal btw - and then watched the movie in the theatre. I knew who the killer was and knew everything that was going to happen and I was bored. My husband was bored too, even though he hadn't read the book. I think it was more of a slow moving plot than I would have liked. However, I really think it depends on how well the movie portrayed the book.
DeleteI would also have to read the patron. If they were really excited about getting the book, I would tell them it's a great book and to keep reading. However, if they were more cautious about it, I would tell them my honest opinion - they know what's going to happen, so it will lose all of that suspense. However, it's a well written book and it reads so quickly!
From what I believe the ending is different in the movie... so if nothing else check out the book and see what changes they made. I have a love/hate relationship with both formats :)
DeleteGreetings, Paige! I read Gone Girl (but have not seen the movie). I'm curious, do you think of Amy as a protagonist? Maybe it was my frame of mind when I read it (a year or two ago), but I had a hard time feeling any sympathy for her at all, and even thinking of her as a villain in the story. I'm curious if you felt the same way! Of your read-alikes, there's only one I've read already - looking forward to checking out the rest! ~Anna
ReplyDeleteWell, I think Amy is a protagonist in the first part. I felt sorry for her and I started to dislike Nick even more. But once you get to part 2, everything changes. You start to see Amy's true character and realize what Nick is going through. I think the protagonist changes in the book. However, I'm not sure there really is one...they both did some pretty rotten things. In the end, I think Nick suffered the most. But I'm not sure why he didn't get out there.
DeleteYes, I do remember now just thoroughly hating Nick for the first 1/3 of the book. That was quite a twist!!
DeleteTrue story: I hate this book. I hate books with characters that are so horrible and non-redemptive. But, your annotation is excellent and does a good job of describing this book and the story without giving away much of the weird and twisty plot. Also, your read-alikes are spot on (I also didn't like Girl on the Train at all!) :)
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I kept reading the book everywhere I went. I wanted to know what was going to happen, how it was going to end. True story, I finished the book at the gym. My husband was on the stair climber and I was on the bike. As soon as I finished, I looked at him across the room in such anger and frustration. He had no idea what was wrong with me. lol I was so disappointed with the books ending. I had to tell him right then and there why it frustrated me so much. It was a fifteen minute conversation at the gym of all places.
DeleteIt was a great thriller. It kept me wanting to read and I couldn't sit still until I finished it. However, the ending...ugh. I still get frustrated sometimes. Not how I thought it would go. I thought there would be some sense of justice that would be served.
Great annotation! Your summary, appeals, elements and rule of three really help break the book down to it's core! Full points!
ReplyDelete