Gone Girl
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Language?
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Whitney
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rated it 4 stars
Sep 27, 2013 07:36AM
I enjoyed reading Gone Girl, but the foul language was over the top for me. Do Gilliam Flynn's other novels have just as much?
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The foul language seemed to fit the characters.
Sorry, Whitney. I think you may have missed the point of the language. People really do talk like that in real life.
No Kevin, I didn't miss the point. I don't live in a bubble, I know how people talk it's just not how I talk. I understand language was a part of the book and characters, but I don't really enjoy reading books with so much language. It's a personal preference, not a slam against the author. As much as I enjoyed the story, I didn't like so much foul language. I just wasn't up for reading another book like that. However, I personally don't feel the book would have been any different without it.
Whitney wrote: "No Kevin, I didn't miss the point. I don't live in a bubble, I know how people talk it's just not how I talk. I understand language was a part of the book and characters, but I don't really enjoy r..."
I know what you were trying to say, but I'd like to thank you for the first full belly laugh of the morning. The line, "I understand language was a part of the book and characters, but I don't really enjoy reading books with so much language," is absolutely hilarious. Perhaps you'll find some other books with less language in them.
I know what you were trying to say, but I'd like to thank you for the first full belly laugh of the morning. The line, "I understand language was a part of the book and characters, but I don't really enjoy reading books with so much language," is absolutely hilarious. Perhaps you'll find some other books with less language in them.
I loved the book and I also thought the language over the top for me. I want to read her other books, so does anybody know if her other books have as much foul language in it?
Kevin wrote: "Sorry, Whitney. I think you may have missed the point of the language. People really do talk like that in real life."How snotty of you.
Really? How is that snotty? He's right. People really do talk like that. I find it endlessly fascinating how people can read books about murder and destruction and, in this case, two highly dysfunctional people out to mess with each other, but God forbid they drop the odd f-bomb, or say something off-colour. Personally, I think your response is the snotty one. It's a book, for chrissakes. If you don't like the language, go read some less objectionable writer.
Check out the bookstore's Young Adult section. It may be geared more towards what you're looking for. Or maybe Independent Reader... those Hunger Games books are pretty harsh as well
ok seriously - there is no need to attack the OP - while I disgree with her initial statement - its her personal opinion of the book - attacking her is just not right - you would think you guys were teenagers again
The language didn't bother me, as this was a mainstream, even chicklit novel, but a quick fun read. I didn't expect a lot more from it.
I think the foul language added to the characters
I agree with the OP...I thought the language was a bit much. Especially when mixed in with some pretty over-the-top thesaurus-y words that I've never heard anyone speak. I'm not the best person to ask...I really didn't like this book. And I think the language was an effort to make it "edgy" more than anything else. It wasn't the f-bombs so much, probably more the c-word. Oh, and how a character smelled "vaginal". I don't think it added to the story, other than make the characters all the more detestable.
The "language" is an essential part of Gillian Flynn's workRead Sharp Objects and Dark Places.
The overall mood of these stories could not be conveyed as well as Ms. Flynn does, if the "language" was different.
WTF
i need to take some of these people out to the pub with me.. they won't even notice the "language" in the book after a night out in the real world...
Well.... You would be so shocked to hear the filth that you hear everyday from our lil' darlins' lovely potty mouths. Y'all could never handle teaching. Wait until you have been cursed up one side and the other by a sixth grader who is taller and wider than your own 5'2" inch 100 lb. frame. I wanted to laugh so bad because Jr. sounded just like a miniature of his Daddy who really probably wanted to curse at this English teacher too!!! But, yes, in the REAL WORLD people have a favorite slang word they use everyday!!! HA! Come now.... don't you say darn it or something ! My cousin said the S ..t word so much in front of her first child , we were all afraid that baby was going to say the S word as her first!!! But, of course , I am living right in the middle of the holy Bible Belt of Mississippi!!! The school where I happened to be teaching at the time my experience with Jr.'s language shocker was the exact school that was sued for still holding prayer in school every morning in the year 1996 or so??? When you write with dialect to make the voice of a character realistic , sometimes a writer doesn't even spell correctly, much less use nice language. I think I hold my nasty words in until I am alone in the car!!! This is a funny but sadly true topic. You can always read Miss Cozy Kitten and Elvis mysteries...She promises good clean reading ! Dawn Copley
Whitney wrote: "No Kevin, I didn't miss the point. I don't live in a bubble, I know how people talk it's just not how I talk. I understand language was a part of the book and characters, but I don't really enjoy r..."I agree with Whitney that the book didn't need all those expletives to portray the characters' personality. I find that foul language is the trend these days in books and this is unfortunate.
Tobin wrote: "Whitney wrote: "No Kevin, I didn't miss the point. I don't live in a bubble, I know how people talk it's just not how I talk. I understand language was a part of the book and characters, but I don'..."stop being so condescending. You can disagree in a polite way.
Paula wrote: "Tobin wrote: "Whitney wrote: "No Kevin, I didn't miss the point. I don't live in a bubble, I know how people talk it's just not how I talk. I understand language was a part of the book and characte..."
Fine. I'm disagreeing in a polite way.
Fine. I'm disagreeing in a polite way.
Kevin- I just think what the more conservative readers were missing in Gone Girl was that the speech used at emotionally stressed times is always high with language that is more offensive . Some people may not lose control like that. Some people may use such language in private areas only to not offend others and if you are a mother of three children , they may feel a certain reputation to uphold. Women often are more conservative with their use of shocking expletives than men because they have always been taught to be ladies with proper standards around people. Men can say anything and your used to it . Admit this as a man; would you like to marry or date ,or is your present loved one a person who curses like a sailor in public along with the best of your mail mates? I am an English teacher working on etching higher ed at Ole Miss. Classroom discussions are full of FREE SPEECH! Communication has continued to become less respectful and improper towards people in authority. It is common practice , especially in creative writing. At Ole Miss we have some of the best authors come from our program more than ever. John Grisham sponsors a writer in residence every semester to teach and we do learn from some of the best. Our authors pasts and present have taught some Southern gothic Grit writing and and I have considered myself so fortunate. The fact is always going to remain that a rew readers will not like that type of literature. Let freedom ring! We read what we favor and they read what they favor without insults. No need to do so it is just inconsiderate and will always be an argument! I mean know unkindness, Kevin. I just think we have differences of opinion and that there is no need to insult to make your point. Thank you for listening! Merry Christmas! Dawn Copley
Dawn- your first post when you even used a different writing style to PROVE your point, was brilliant and this last post was wonderful as well. Some people may not be used to it, but as a 27 year old female whose favorite expressive word is f**, I found the language perfectly normal. I'm a parent of 2 (5 and 6 years old) and no, I don't use that language around them. And it's not like it was used randomly without a reason in the book. It was there for a purpose, just like most of Flynn's writing generally speaking.
Whitney wrote: "I enjoyed reading Gone Girl, but the foul language was over the top for me. Do Gilliam Flynn's other novels have just as much?"In the universe that the writer creates I think the dialog, especially the prevalence and outrageousness of profanity used, describes the characters. An author of Gillian Flynn's talent and immense skill would not use foul language gratuituously. It is something important about the character development. The profanity is much more than how ordinary people talk -- not all people use foul language. I don't and neither do the people I usually associate with.
Guys- if you look at her profile , she prefers Christian , literature . I am not trying to be condescending . I am only trying to be helpful to both categories of readers. I was just trying to show two points of view. I do not think I am superior to anyone. I was only sharing my experiences on both sides of the situation. It is ok to be unique and everyone needs to be more tolerant . Dawn Copley
The sarcasm about YA and christian books is a defense mechanism I think. I know I'm being defensive about a book I enjoyed because complaining about the language is extremely naive and takes away from the rest of the book. Drives me crazy that out of every single word in that book this chick closed it and her first thought was "goodness gracious she said the eff word way too much"... there's so much more to the book than that and to come online and complain about it just ... i suppose is offensive to me the way the "language" was offensive to her.
Brodie - I have been saying that I see both sides . What I have not said between the lines is exactly what you just said . I was just trying to not hurt someone. I feel it does no good to insult another person because of their opinion. It is not kind. Although, like myself, a book is wonderful as a whole because it is written as real life representatives of people we observe through life experiences. It was wonderfully written. I feel every book published deserves some consideration because it is an author's blood , sweat, tears, and spirit. It may just not be of a reader's taste. I agree ; to close a book and only complain about language instead of all of the positive aspects of the great story and creativity which brought to life such a gift to all is censoring . But, that is her right and we should have not fallen into the trap of letting that make us mad. Kindness may have entered a response as , "Could you not see beyond the language to the excellent story and lead on to how great the character of .... was. She did such a great job on making her characters come to life through descriptive detail, dialog, use of communication between characters...etc..." a different topic. During this time, we are all so angry with one another. Life is hard. We take our anger about lost jobs, sickness, saving our homes, Hell even what we will eat next and definitely protecting our beliefs as the government keep taking more and more of our freedom and security away from us. The depression in our society is running rampart as anger everywhere. We have lost trust in everyone. There is no FAITH. I pray everyday to keep my faith stronger to help and not hurt. Today of all days, CHRISTMAS, we need to remember all of the beautiful teachings Jesus , just a baby who was born in a manger and had a right and did grow to be King of Man. In the history of our country, everything was based around the beginnings of this day. Do you remember George Washington crossing the Delaware on this our CHRISTMAS day! In God we trust was how our country was formed. We don't have to force this view on people because religious freedom was why we arrived here. But , today of all days , be thankful for the gift of freedom, equality, and YES , FREE SPEECH. Also, we cannot forget out Bill of Rights because I fear our government and it's political correctness going a bit to far right now. Let us not be another Congress or House of Representatives arguing just to win a point. Let's do what is best for all of us from the beginning, go back to our Constitution and Bill of Rights which will allow us to free our economic system, free our right to choose what is best for us, free us from lies and conspiracy not accept lies as the normal. Let us stop fighting in between each other and do something so we will not attack one another for their opinions. Let us all give this gift to each other today. Just start by thinking of another before we say something . Think first , can I express my opinion without harm or hurt.
Brolie, you are a true book lover, and I wish you and your loved ones a very MERRY CHRISTMAS! I am going to quote a very important little person named Tiny Tim and say , " God Bless Us Everyone! ". <3. Dawn
Aw Shucks, Can't we ALL get along?Stick to critiquing the book....get it , not the reader.
Happy Holidays.
el - do you know how it feels to be talked to in a SARCASTIC manner? I do , it does not feel nice . It makes me really sad. My communication on this subject is over. It is a holiday of hope, peace and love. I really do wish you all of these in the coming year... Dawn
Dawn- replied to your message already, but just wanted to say again! No offense here, and I wasn't meaning any sarcasm towards you-- if you may have thought that :\ and Merry Christmas to you too ^_^ There's a fine line with the internet and debates and opinions and stuff will get posted but you can't let it get to you cuz, well.. it's the internet! LOL... I tend to sound more upset than I really am ;) I do think this whole issue of language is silly though. And that's just my opinion.
Brolie wrote: "Dawn- replied to your message already, but just wanted to say again! No offense here, and I wasn't meaning any sarcasm towards you-- if you may have thought that :\ and Merry Christmas to you too ^..."Here,Here
Brolie wrote: "The sarcasm about YA and christian books is a defense mechanism I think. I know I'm being defensive about a book I enjoyed because complaining about the language is extremely naive and takes away f..."I agree that there is so much more to a book than the use of expletives and with this book that is indeed the case. One cannot however vilify someone because they do not like when a book constantly uses the F curse. The woman was just asking a question and offering her opinion on a book that she has read and find not to her liking because of the language. I liked Gone girl a lot, and did not really focus on the language in this particular book, but I have noticed an increase in profanities and the use of God, needlessly in books where their use is unnecessary.
Okay, I had no intention of responding anymore but I am not going to be criticized for my question. I enjoyed the story line. I gave it 4 stars. I just simply don't enjoy reading books with as much vulgar language. That's it. Its my personal preference. I wasn't asking to discuss this or be told what type books I should and shouldn't read. I just was simply curious as to if her other books were the same. Not all authors write the exact same every time. I'm sorry if my post was offensive. Wouldn't have been much simplistic for someone to say yes or no and that be that? Kindness goes a long way in a world where we are all different.
Welcome to the internet, Whitney.
yes they do, i listened to the audio book and honestly it was super creepy especially the "bitch bitch bitch" part. seriously it freaked me out a bit. but when i wasnt listening i read and it didnt bother me one bit. it just made sense and i also agree that it went well with the characters. i cant wait to start the other 2. and yeah people dont be mean.
Nice review Frannie - I loved the book. Being in teaching I readied so much the language is just something I speed right over! I don't use it and it is just in public that it really catches my attention. I am so used to reading many styles of writing. But , when I hear a girl walk up and say, " What's up Biatch ?"'it does shock me! HA! Now they say that on TV! I guess sometimes we need that SHOCK in Lit. To remind us these could be real people too! but yes be nice , we get enough stress everyday outside of what is supposed to give us a social pleasure! There were also more topics to discuss that were Way more interesting ! Let's get into some good stuff ! Dawn
Ooops, I've missed the point entirely. Thought when I saw the 'Language' topic posted that it was referring to the author's use of language as in style, tone, mood, vocab, sentence structure, formal vs informal, colloquialisms, direct speech and all that other analysis stuff that high school English teachers foisted on us, bless them!
Brendan I have been trying to tell them !!!!!
I found the language very realistic. I find books without bad language to be a little unrealistic. I understand your view point and I know that not everybody speaks like that and may be offended by it but I think with a book like this it has to be expected. And to answer your question, yes her other books do have similar language.
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