Christian Schwalbach answers “How did you feel about the ending?”

Tasha asked this question about Gone Girl:

How did you feel about the ending?

Christian Schwalbach I felt that the ending was, at first read, a bit abrupt and somewhat implausible, but after finishing the book and thinking about it more, I realized …moreI felt that the ending was, at first read, a bit abrupt and somewhat implausible, but after finishing the book and thinking about it more, I realized that the ending was a well-done effort to bring the analysis of Amy Dunne's personality full circle. I think people make a mistake in labeling Amy as a Psychopathic character, as she certainly takes the idea of revenge and vengeance overboard, but is not devoid of emotion or human connection. Personally, I put a lot of the blame of shaping Amy's personality on her parents, for creating the cloud of expectation over her from the moment the "Amy" books became successful. This mal-adjudsted upbringing, coupled with vindictive personality traits, made Amy one that was capable of relationship, but walked on a wire regarding happiness and marital satisfaction. Nick has much to be held accountable for also in this case, both with the blatant philandering, but also his 'good ol boy' desire for a 'one of the guys' wife. In my opinion, Nick would have been more happy marrying a naive, "average" female, much like the one he had an affair with, but his and Amy's obviously dysfunctional relationship has a twisted apropos to it, and so the ending is crafted in a way that solidifies this, as they are fated to maintain the craziness , as its all that either of them have known in the paths of marriage. (less)

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