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Gone Girl

By: Gillian Flynn
Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Kirby Heyborne
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Editorial review


By Mysia Haight, Audible Editor

PSYCH OUT—THE JAW-DROPPING GENIUS OF GONE GIRL

Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl is among the all-time best crafted stories told by unreliable narrators—two of them, the perfect couple—and a gripping thriller filled with jaw-dropping twists. This dark mystery novel also shines a critical light on the media-fueled public rush to judge people suspected of crimes who, regardless of the evidence, simply look guilty—an unsettling trend that has only escalated in the decade since the book’s release. Along with its critique of media exploitation, the novel has been widely embraced—and hotly debated—as a manifesto of modern feminism.

Ten years ago, I was approaching that dreaded life stage—middle age. After years of doing my best to be a good wife, mother, aunt, sister, daughter, and friend; a good worker, mentor, and role model; and a good listener, problem solver, and crisis manager, I was feeling taken for granted and restless. What if I did something unexpected, something out of character—something bad?

Happily, I satisfied my yearnings by becoming immersed in the brilliant mind and devious machinations of Amy Elliott Dunne, the hero (or, depending on your perspective, villain) of Gone Girl. When it was published in 2012, Gillian Flynn’s ingenious novel about a missing wife and the husband increasingly implicated in her ominous disappearance stirred up a lot of buzz. As an avid fan of psychological thrillers, unreliable narrators, and contemporary fiction driven by strong, complicated women, I couldn’t wait to read it. And I was blown away! In spite of her questionable (to put it extremely mildly) actions, I found Amy, an amazing woman who was taken for granted—first by her parents and then by her husband—relatable and, yes, sympathetic. I kept rooting for her to get the life she wanted, even when I was appalled by what she did and who she hurt to make that happen.

Has Gone Girl changed my life? Well, it didn’t motivate me to change for the badder—old good habits die hard. Yet, thanks in part to Amy and other remarkable women characters like her, I’ve gradually become better at speaking up for myself and getting heard.

Years after first reading Gone Girl, I haven't forgotten Amy. I love the way Rosamund Pike brought her to life in the 2014 film adaptation, which I've watched in its entirety three times with three different women—my sister, my niece, and my daughter. So when I discovered that one of my favorite narrators, the remarkable Julia Whelan, voices Amy in the audiobook, I just had to go back and listen. Her performance is brilliant—so believable, it's chilling—and even though I know every twist in her twisted story, Amy continues to amaze me!

Continue reading Mysia's review >

Publisher's summary

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The “mercilessly entertaining” (Vanity Fair) instant classic “about the nature of identity and the terrible secrets that can survive and thrive in even the most intimate relationships” (Lev Grossman, Time)—now featuring never-before-published deleted scenes

NAMED ONE OF THE MOST INFLUENTIAL BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY CNN AND ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE DECADE BY TIME AND ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

NAMED ONE OF THE TEN BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY Janet Maslin, The New York TimesPeopleEntertainment WeeklyO: The Oprah MagazineSlateKansas City StarUSA TodayChristian Science Monitor

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne’s fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick’s clever and beautiful wife disappears. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn’t doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife’s head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media—as well as Amy’s fiercely doting parents—the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he’s definitely bitter—but is he really a killer?

NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY San Francisco ChronicleSt. Louis Post-DispatchThe Chicago TribuneHuffPostNewsday

©2012 Gillian Flynn (P)2012 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Absorbing . . . In masterly fashion, Flynn depicts the unraveling of a marriage—and of a recession-hit Midwest—by interweaving the wife’s diary entries with the husband’s first-person account.”The New Yorker

“Ms. Flynn writes dark suspense novels that anatomize violence without splashing barrels of blood around the pages . . . Ms. Flynn has much more up her sleeve than a simple missing-person case. As Nick and Amy alternately tell their stories, marriage has never looked so menacing, narrators so unreliable.”The Wall Street Journal

“The story unfolds in precise and riveting prose . . . even while you know you’re being manipulated, searching for the missing pieces is half the thrill of this wickedly absorbing tale.”O: The Oprah Magazine

Featured Article: Best Audiobooks to Listen to While Working Out


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Editor's Pick: Best of the Decade

Get to the gone
"I’m a sucker for great story structure, and Gone Girl uses every inch of its narrative to subvert expectations in ways that shock and amuse. The perfectly utilized diary entries fold into a legendary mid-book reveal. The face-turn-heel of a seemingly perfect victim who revels in the way they’ve expertly managed your expectations. The unreliable narrators who reveal so much about themselves by what they don’t say—or how they shape emotional states into origami. And it all feels fair; while most twist-filled stories tend to seem rather flimsy under a microscope, the closer you look at Gillian Flynn’s masterpiece, the more you notice the sheer togetherness of it all, each part working in concert with another, coalescing to form a story that has one finger firmly on the pulse of popular culture, and one on the carotid of a serial killer."—Sean T., Audible Editor

What listeners say about Gone Girl

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Uneven But Worth It

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The thing that I would change can't be changed and have the book be the same book. The first part of this book was very slow and then part 2 is absolutely explosive. So, I might be tempted to say that part one should be trimmed down or something, but then part 2 wouldn't be as explosive.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I found the very end just a bit dissatisfying, but still definitely worth the read.

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne – was your favorite?

I didn't really care about either protagonist. Then again, I don't think the reader is supposed to 'like' the characters. They are created to be pretty unlikeable people.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I don't think that what made this book awesome (namely the plot twist the different points of view of the two main characters) could be conveyed very well in a visual format. I'd still probably see it anyway.

Any additional comments?

I've read so many reviews that said it got better halfway through. I was expecting it to slightly improve and then it would dawn on me that it had gotten better. Not the case. This book got suddenly and instantaneously awesome. I had just gotten to that point when I pulled into the driveway on my way home. Can I drive around the block for an hour?

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amazing fun story

me and my wife loved it will listen to it again! a must read for everyone

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Maddeningly Frustrating

I loved every minute of this production, even the insufferable dramatic irony of disgusting characters.

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OMG!! This book is "Amazing"!!!

Wow!! This book far exceeds any other book that I have ever read! I love the plot twist, the narration, simply everything! Couldn't recommend this book more!!

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Couldn't stop listening

I listened to this while traveling across country in a car. Couldn't wait for each day to unfold another part of this twisted unique story. Full of twists and turns. Awesome read.

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OMG!

This was an amazing story. I usually listen when I'm in the car, and I wanted to keep driving so I didn't have to stop. It is such a twisty, smart book.

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I found myself just staring...

If you could sum up Gone Girl in three words, what would they be?

insane twisted must-read

What other book might you compare Gone Girl to and why?

I have no idea... I've heard her other books are much darker... I like that this one was intriguing and it was a great discussion at book club. I love recommending it... I never doubt people won't have SOME strong comment about my recommendation... which is the highest compliment.

Which character – as performed by Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne – was your favorite?

If I had to pick? Nick. You end up hating both. which is the best part about the book.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

happily ever after isn't always pretty. or normal.

Any additional comments?

such a good story, and great narrators. I love when books have multiple narrators. I found myself just standing in the yard once, staring, with my jaw on the ground... when I was suppose to be raking.

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Not what I expected

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I should have looked into what this book was about, because I was not able to suspend my horror, at how awful the characters were....I started out so hopeful, I thought it was a love story. Reminds me of when I first saw Pulp Fiction, thinking it was going to be fun, and left thinking what a horrific movie....years later and a couple of times re-watching it, I get it. I need forewarning, to prepare myself for those instances when I am supposed to just go along for the ride and be entertained. I am a vicarious reader/watcher so I am troubled when I expect one thing and get another. Lesson learned with this book...I don't want to know too much, but I do need to know it is a twisted thriller, and not a lovely little story about two people and the ups and downs of matrimony.

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Talk about a psycho thriller

This is so surprising. So well written. I haven't stayed up all night to finish a book in years.
Concept, plot, character development --all brilliant!! Gillian Flynn is truly a master storyteller. The story is disturbing, however. If you can't handle the stress of getting inside the head of a psychotic individual....don't read (listen to) this.

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Brilliant

Compelling story. Flynn is a brilliant writer, comparable to Stephen King. The last few chapters may be a bit predictable but still amazing and just as compelling. Julia Whelan is perfect. She plays the part the way it was written. Kirby Heyborne isn't as good but still a great performance. Highly recommended

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