Gone Girl
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I hate everyone...
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Gigi Ann
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rated it 1 star
Jan 17, 2013 12:13PM
I don't know if her other books are better or not. And I guess I will never know.... But I can say, I hated the ending. Actually, I didn't much like any of the book. It got so many great reviews so I bought it, read it, and wondered if we had all read the same book!
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Better is subjective. They are all different and I loved them all for different reasons. I Loved Gone Girl. It was in my top 10 reads for the year and thats saying a lot with more than 50 reads. Spoiler warnings
The ending was brilliant, I was annoyed a bit at first but I realized a week later I was still thinking about it and that is brilliant. It was the only ending that wasn't going to be like one of those crappy romance, NYT best seller crap. It didn't give you a nice little ending with the tidy bow around it and thats the way it HAD to be in this book, no one should have won, both of them lost....perfect.
I didn't like it so much at first, reading back and forth sometimes you feel - lost. But somewhere in there I couldn't put it down. I hated both of them at first and then started to feel sorry for one but not the other then came back to hating them both again. I bought her other two and hope to get to them soon.
I actually loved this book! The ending was not what I expected, but sometimes people get what they deserve.
Theyre great, both murder mysteries all are different from each other but still well written. Dark Places is my Favorite.
Angie wrote: "I respect that you liked it, and glad you did.I just want to know about her other two books."
I read her other two books, I didn't think they were as good as Gone Girl! Gillian Flynn loves to write about creepy, dark, women! That might constitute them as being "horrible people"! If you didn't like Gone Girl, you might not like her other two. I hope you do, though.
I absolutely loved the other two books. I actually loved them more. "Sharp Objects" being my absolute favorite.
Yes, I really enjoy her books! I think that Gillian Flynn is an extremely talented woman...I can't wait for her next book!
Oh I hated everyone in the book too. I remember telling my husband "I am reading this book and there is not one character I can stand, not one" But I still thought it was a great book and I thought the ending was genius, pure genius and scary. I did not want to read her other books because I was thinking why do I want to read more of the same but now I think I will check at least Sharp Objects out.
Joni wrote: "Oh I hated everyone in the book too. I remember telling my husband "I am reading this book and there is not one character I can stand, not one" But I still thought it was a great book and I though..."Well don't worry they are definitely not more of the same...I actually preferred Dark Places all very different
I think Gillian Flynn has promise as an author, but I don't think she's quite there yet. I've read two of her books and both had great momentum and a good premise but somehow she didn't know how to tie them up at the end. I think she's got fresh ideas and I like her narrative style of alternating points of view with the characters and timewise. She definitely seems to write unlikable characters, anti-heroes you might say, but they are written that way as part of the story. As much as I didn't understand the hype on this book I still intend to read Sharp Objects. In my opnion though, Dark Places was a better book than Gone Girl.
The ending of this book has left me feeling sick to my stomach. Really. It was so twisted (in a weird psycho way) toward the end. The first half was very slow and boring, confusing and hard to follow - the middle a bit decent for a couple of chapters and then wham, psychotic killer, blood and guts and evil wife in the end. The f-bomp was overly used (once is too much) along with the smells of women's private parts~ come on, really? Disgusting! I too, could not even find one character I liked, or who I could side with~ I disliked them all! I really do regret even spending time to ask my library to find this book for me. I cannot understand this being a best seller ~ what has our world come to?
Angie wrote: "I hate everyone in this book. I kind of like Go and the police, oh and they comic ex and the friend from school...Everyone else...not so much. I am struggling to finish it. Whatever the actual e..."Don't finish.. I promise, it's not worth it.
I think what I love about Flynn and even the ending of this book is she does NOT write like a "woman". What I mean is I've read books where youre going yeah it's a woman writing the entire way through, it sticks out like a sore thumb that its a woman's View. Flynn on the other hand you're never aware of the writer only the characters.The Ending is the same way, most female writers now are growing into a market where they are thinking well a woman wants a perfect little pretty ending where all the bad guys get their come comeuppance and every one else is happy and holds hands into the sunset, Flynn DOES NOT write that way. her limited sex scenes are awkward and uncomfortable for the characters (as they should be in those particular situations) not all flowers and body quivering orgasms.
Her endings are dark and gritty, her characters feel very real, and she won't give you the rainbows and kittens ending Thank F...ing God because those Romance story endings are garbage meant for bored housewives NOT for readers with secrets, and skeletons, and dark sides like real people have and accept.
Flynn isn't for people who adore Jodi Picoult or think Chris Bohjalian is just a deeply sensitive man and writer, she isn't for Harlequin woman and Twilight fans she writes like an writer not like a "woman" Writer, she's risen above the need for pronouns and that offends the lesser and weaker, the type who think horror is gross, and sci-fi is too complicated.
She doesn't cater to the American Idol and soap Opera crowd...thank god a real woman who doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.
She's a bright shining star in a mud pit of condescending crap aimed at the lowest common denominator.
Paul wrote: "I think what I love about Flynn and even the ending of this book is she does NOT write like a "woman". What I mean is I've read books where youre going yeah it's a woman writing the entire way thr..."Very eloquently put, however, now I understand that Flynn writes for people who are dark and gritty, awkward and uncomfortable with themselves and who think themselves above the seemingly "lesser and weaker."
I don't desire rainbows and kittens nor romance story endings. Not all people have dark, evil sides. I am strong enough within myself to step out of my comfort zone and to cross over to a different genre in the name of something new... and thank God I have the choice to not have to put myself through strange endings meant for readers with secrets and skeletons in their closets.
Peggy wrote: Very eloquently put, however, now I understand that Flynn writes for people who are dark and gritty, awkward and uncomfortable with themselves and who think themselves above the seemingly "lesser and weaker." "Never said people who are awkward and uncomfortable with themselves I said exactly the opposite. For people who are comfortable with their dark side, skeletons or imperfections and don't need to have perfect story book romances to supplement themselves.
Yes, for those of you who say you don't have dark sides I call Bull. It's human nature, not being able to deal with it is no different then puritans who dismiss sexual desire as evil. Its part of who you are and if you can accept all of yourself the good and bad you have some issues to work out.
So yeah Flynn becomes a Female writer that men can read comfortably, and one that woman who curse and drink beer and prefer Die Hard to The Notebook can enjoy. I say thats a woman I can appreciate, at least it's better than the alternative. I also say that if Both Stephen King and Reese Witherspoon think she's a genius I'm on board.
I think the ending is absolute genius and Ill tell you EXACTLY why. At first I had issues with it but days later I was standing in the shower realizing I was STILL thinking about it, and in fact months later STILL AM...thats genius.
How many books do you think about days, weeks or months later that ended with the same happy unrealistic perfect couple and perfect jail time and perfect bow around it?
If that is what you want than I suspect you're probably a big Oprah and Nicolas Sparks fan...which is fine for you (or them) but not for all of us who like some real meat on their steaks and not the same cold tuna every time.
Paul wrote: "Peggy wrote: Very eloquently put, however, now I understand that Flynn writes for people who are dark and gritty, awkward and uncomfortable with themselves and who think themselves above the seemin..."If you love Flynn then by all means, read her, this does not mean I need to. I am thinking about this book a day later too, but only because I feel so awful that I wasted my time - it makes my stomach nauseas. That is WARPED - genius has nothing to do with it. I think of many, many books from my past that had pleasant (or true life) endings and remember them fondly. I am a HUGE Nicolas Sparks fan and proud of it. Again, I stepped over the line to try something different. I'm not sure that is something you would be un-ridged enough to do.
Angie wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Paul wrote: "I think what I love about Flynn and even the ending of this book is she does NOT write like a "woman". What I mean is I've read books where youre going yeah it's a woman..."Thank you Angie... :-)
Peggy wrote: I stepped over the line to try something different. I'm not sure that is something you would be un-ridged enough to do."I think you meant flexible but thats no biggie...anyway
Thats kind of Funny apparently you didnt look at my read books before you made that comment.
There isnt a genre of style I havent read from Shakespeare to Comic books.
From Asimov to Zola. Currently reading Nabakov (should finish tonight the French delayed me since I'm rusty) Asimov and Heinlein. Just Finished over the last few months Poe and Lovecraft Arthur Conan Doyle and Shakespeare as well as Kylie Chan and Stephen King. Hammett, Christie, Oscar Wilde to Richard Adams and way outside my comfort zone with Cherie Preist and Chuck Klosterman and Mitch Albom and on. On deck I have Rothfuss and Dostoyevsky and even Sammy Hagar...doesn't get more eclectic than that does it?
Now I'm not bragging just countering your intended slight towards me.
Paul wrote: "Peggy wrote: I stepped over the line to try something different. I'm not sure that is something you would be un-ridged enough to do."I think you meant flexible but thats no biggie...anyway
Thats..."
Actually, I'm sure you didn't intend on being nasty, but that is exactly what I meant to say.
I liked Gone Girl very much and Dark Places even better. I do intend to read Sharp Objects.
Wow. I'm surprised at the lack of civility in this discussion. It's a book, folks. Of course we're going to have differing reactions. Although you wouldn't know it from the political climate these days, we can disagree and still respect each others' opinions. Even if you hate the book, you have to admit that it has started some spirited discussions. For my part, I liked it very much, especially the ending. I don't have to like the characters in order to enjoy the book. Another of my favorites is Scott Smith's "A Simple Plan," a novel that features nothing but despicable characters. Doesn't mean I approve of their behavior. Same goes for Donald Ray Pollack's "The Devil All The Time." The remarks about who "Gone Girl" was written for are no more accurate than to say "The Silence of the Lambs" was written for serial killers. My wife just finished "Dark Places" and she gave it a thumbs up but didn't tell me much about it. I take that as a good sign since she refrained from spoiling it for me.
What is "un-ridged?" I'd like to know because I might be that too.
Angie, I'd be interested in hearing your reaction to The Devil All The Time. It's one of my favorites from the past few years, maybe number one.
Totally relate to that.
Thanks for the Private note Gary No worries I Understand where you were directing to. I gave up on this discussion after three points were brought to my attention making it clear this was a no win battle.First was when I realized I can't argue with someone when I don't understand the words they are making up to describe me.
Second that someone actually considers growing out of being edgy a good thing when writers and artists spend their entire career trying to attain that title. God being edgy is a good thing Why would anyone try to grow out of it?
Third that things I said were being attributed to other things I said, not the actual statement I made...it was too hard to keep correcting people so I'm just out of it but Gary You're welcome to try.
Yeah, I can see your points. Had to stick my nose in, but from here I think I'll just learn from your experience and leave it alone.
Angie wrote: "Paul, you were rude when you entered this thread. You acted snotty from get go.It's ok, people seek validation from the Internet when they can't get it elsewhere.
o.0 I was?
I wasn't going to comment anymore and just walk away but now I'm confused.
Maybe you should re-read from the beginning.I'm hardly snotty just sharing my opinion despite it being different from the minority. I thought it was still a discussion not a comment for validation of an idea. But I suppose I can be called names for having a different opinion since that would be yours. If you want me not to comment anymore I won't discussions are a lot less fun when you don't allow a dissenting opinion though. BTW I've been called a lot of things but that is actually my first "snotty" so thank you, you made me smile.
Nice Shot on me with the insecurity angle though, a miss but hey it's worth the shot since that's a tried and true internet insult.
"It's sad when people pop into a thread to defend someone like that." Since this site is an open forum and all are welcome, I'll "pop in" anytime I chose and don't really care that it makes anyone sad.
I actually found Paul and Angie's discussion to be more entertaining than the book was. :) Thanks you two!
When it comes to books, everyone has different tastes. I never read a book because it is popular. Part of that problems is that my expectations will be set high and it is very difficult for any book to live up to them. I picked up this book because the synopsis intrigue me. There are books that others think are great and I just don't get it. Catcher in the Rye is one that comes to mind. For some reason, I just could not connect with the book. I usually try to ask those that enjoyed the book, what I am missing? What did they find so interesting? Was I approaching the book with the wrong expectation or from a different perspective? This is what I would like people to discuss in these threads.
What I often see though are blanket statements with no room for discussion. Then because people have a different experience with a book it devolves into sniping at each other. What do I get out of that? Nothing!
The question this thread evokes is "Do I need to like the characters in the book to like the book?"
I think the answer to that is, not always. However, you may need to have some understanding of the character. For example, Nick is not a good guy. However, I felt some connection with him due to aspects of his childhood that were reminiscient of my own. Therefore, his actions intrigued me. Amy actually reminded me of people I have known in my life. Because I could never understand those people, I wanted to know what "made her tick". Go was just OK for me, because I never felt like we really got to know her. We only saw her from Nick's perspective. The same is true of Boney. One thing thing I felt was missing was how Amy saw Go. We knew they never got along, but what did Amy really think of her sister-in-law?
My goodness! If people can not be nice to each other do not take part in the discussions. I will not put up with people being rude to each other. Take this as the only warning u will get. It stops now or the people involved will be deleted from this book club. I have spent the day dealing with stupid people. I will not deal with it here. Marbear
To Dinah, I wish the book had also explored the relationship between Go and Amy. Two strong women with ties to Nick...there had to be some issues there.
I thought Gone Girl was one of the most entertaining books I've read in a long time, and when I read fiction, that's what I want--entertainment. Flynn did an excellent job with that and though it's been several months since I read the book, sometimes I still think about Nick and Amy. When fictional characters can leave that kind of impression on me, I have to give the author the kudos due.
I personally really, really loved the book from page one. If I have never read an author before tho I never, never buy more then one book because then you get into the situation Angie is in now that you probably won't like the authors other books.Angie as far as not liking the characters tho I am pretty sure that is supposed to be in the point in a weird way. Sort of you love to hate them if that makes sense? Like the villain in a movie or something.
I have not read anything else by Flynn yet but I will soon because I loved this book so much.
**spoiler** The reason you are supposed to hate Nick so you can really, really hate Amy later and still sort of hate Nick but in a weird way feel sorry for him because Amy is so horrible. At least that was my take on it!
The ending was amazing IMO and fit perfect for the book.
"Gone Girl" is the first book I've read by Flynn, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The unexpected turns and twists kept me rooting for one character or the other at different times. When Nick and Amy's true characters were revealed, I found myself having to backtrack on how I felt about them. Although I understood his wanting to be there for his child in the end, I was rooting for Nick and was disappointed that he didn't find a way to extricate himself from Amy.
This book is my book club's January selection, and I can't wait to hear everyone's views. I read it in December, and I too can't stop thinking about the characters. I don't know if I'll read anymore Gillian Flynn, but she did remind me of Ruth Rendell and Patricia Highsmith. They all explore the dark side of the human psyche in uncomfortable ways. Another comparison I'm thinking of is all those John Malkovich movies when he was younger and played dispicable, complicated, compelling men.
I had an odd reaction to this book. At first I couldn't put it down, then I had to take a break about 2/3's in because the plot disturbed me so much. But then I had to go back and find out what happened.
No I didn't like the characters, but I liked the book. The ending was perfect. This book is not light reading, and will certainly make our club discussion lively.
I loved Gone Girl, I thought it was well written. After reading so many posts, it almost seems like most people either hate it or love it! I thought it was interesting that people had to like the characters in order to like the book! I thought the characters were self centered, cold blooded, manipulators, and liars! But oh, they did it so well! If you hate the characters, the author did her job!
I loved Gone Girl. Yes the story is dark and at times very evil, but Gillian spins the story in many different and unexpected ways and I found myself switching emotionally with her different twists and turns. An ending does not have to comply to our version of the "Perfect" ending all the time. I am glad that the ending was totally unpredictable. I thought the there would be justice in the end, but maybe there was justice, just not in the traditional sense.
I totally agree with you!
Kathy - I totally agree with you. When I read a book, I don't have to relate to the character to enjoy their role in the book. I think sometimes I find the book more enjoyable if I can't relate and say "Yes, I can see myself doing the same thing." Gone Girl was a 2-3 star book for me. I enjoyed it, I enjoyed the character development; however, I didn't quite care for the way Flynn wrapped up the ending. The ending felt a little rushed, and for the darkness of the novel I didn't feel like the ending carried the same weight. Even still the book was enjoyable to me. I would be interested to read more from her.
Erin, I have heard from several other posts that they also thought the end was rushed. I read both her other books, but preferred this one!
Paul wrote: "Better is subjective. They are all different and I loved them all for different reasons. I Loved Gone Girl. It was in my top 10 reads for the year and thats saying a lot with more than 50 reads. ..."
Loved Gone Girl, especialy the ending. Was a bit shocked when I turned the page and it was Acknowledgments, but after thiniking about it, realized it was perfect - that was how their lives were going to be. Terrific book.
Gary wrote: "Wow. I'm surprised at the lack of civility in this discussion. It's a book, folks. Of course we're going to have differing reactions. Although you wouldn't know it from the political climate these ..."You are right Gary, we should respect each others opinion even when it does not support ours. Thank you for that reminder. We should agree to disagree (lol, something like that).
i was hooked from the get go - loved the way the characters had inside thoughts as they were saying other things. very witty and pithy observations. Also totally was intrigued with the two perspectives - very clever.And then after the first twist was just thinking wow - this author is so imaginative. But sadly as i went on and it turned more into a crime novel i gradually lost interest and thought the second half nowhere near as well written or interesting or enjoyable. and yes very amusing feedback Paul and Angie - thankyou. ( p.s. I think she meant un-rigid and also snooty. )
Angie wrote: "I hate everyone in this book. I kind of like Go and the police, oh and they comic ex and the friend from school...Everyone else...not so much. I am struggling to finish it. Whatever the actual e..."Angie wrote: "I hate everyone in this book. I kind of like Go and the police, oh and they comic ex and the friend from school...Everyone else...not so much. I am struggling to finish it. Whatever the actual e..."
Angie wrote: "I hate everyone in this book. I kind of like Go and the police, oh and they comic ex and the friend from school...Everyone else...not so much. I am struggling to finish it. Whatever the actual e..."
I liked Flynn's previous two books, "Sharp Objects" and "Dark Places." But the characters were just as disturbed. "Gone Girl" had a great premise, but it just didn't deliver for me.
I liked Gone Girl okay, but I thought Sharp Objects was better. I really liked that one, even as twisted as it turned out to be.
Even though I didn't necessarily ~like~ the characters, I found them fascinating. I used to need to like and connect with a character in order to enjoy the book. These days I have a great deal of appreciation for an ~interesting~ character whether I like them or not. I have even more appreciation for an unpredictable and un-neat-and-tidy plot/ending.
Angie wrote: "I hate everyone in this book. I kind of like Go and the police, oh and they comic ex and the friend from school...Everyone else...not so much. I am struggling to finish it. Whatever the actual e..."You might go on a murder spree when you read the ending.
You are only going to hate the characters more. The hatred just exponentially increases with every passing narrative and it spills out from the pages and onto you and yourself. Which is why the author is getting all these raves and rants.
gertt wrote: "Gone Girl was my book club's pick for January. There were many rave reviews...but, I personally did not care for the book at all. I foung the ending disturbing...tragic. Some reviewers say they..."
Amen!
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