Gone Girl

A Novel

By: Gillian Flynn

Narrated by: Julia Whelan, Kirby Heyborne

Length: 19 hrs and 57 mins

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 Times • People • Entertainment Weekly • O: The Oprah Magazine • Slate • Kansas City Star • USA Today • Christian 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 Chronicle • St. Louis Post-Dispatch • The Chicago Tribune • HuffPost • Newsday

©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

Riveting... Then so disappointing!

The plot of this book was so compelling and addictive that I finished it in 3 days. I loved the plot twists and never felt like I knew what was coming. Then as the ending neared I had a bad feeling about where we were going. It was a truly unsatisfying ending for me. I felt cheated of the denouement that we deserved, having made the long journey through the book. Call me simplistic - the bad guy didn't get what he/she deserved.

...this was hard to follow on audible for me

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

Everybody was going to this book either before or after "fifty" (Fifty Shades of Gray) said this wasn't as "kinky" easier flow or more of an alternative. It was NOT. Hard to follow from the beginning. I stayed with it for the first 4 hours but it never really kept my attention and that is saying something considering that I have 2 memberships and buy extra books due to travel. I haven't rated a book in a while but this one was not high on my list. Sorry but would waste a credit on it again.

More twists and turns than a mountain road!

In part 1 of 3 I thought this book was going to be a real loser. I almost quit on it. Glad I didn't because it really got moving later on.

Without giving too much away, I will say that one of the main characters could not pass the Psychopath Test. That became very apparent, and taking that into consideration the ending was a real surprise and shock.

Get this book and take a wild ride!

Amazing!

I didn't know what to expect when this started. Then I couldn't turn it off. The narrators did a great job with each character. It was one surprise after another, all very well played. I plan on listening again soon, and have recommended to others who enjoyed it as well. Very well done all around!

Great Listen

The book was not as good as I thought it would be.
My problem was I did not like the characters, therefore was not invested in their various outcomes.
I found the plot implausible.
The ending did not ring true to me. But otherwise not a bad way to pass an afternoon.

Until the end

Several twists and turns to this story, which will figuratively have you on the edge of your seat. I was ready to recommend this to my friends, but the ending ruined the whole story for me. I would have given it fewer stars had it not kept me engaged to the end. The ending made no sense and left me with no one in the story I could like.

A Great American Generation X Gothic Novel

Although this novel may not be considered really great literature in itself, it certainly is a great audio listening experience. The dual voices corresponding to the narrative voices of the principal characters, Amy and Nick, capture the listener for the entire nineteen plus hours.
Gillian Flynn creates these two great characters who epitomize so much of what is perceived as the narcissistic American Generation X. The characters are developed through first-person narration alternating between Amy and Nick that drives the suspenseful plot forward. Flynn presents the reader/listener with the challenge of the "unreliable narrator."
In additional to the character-driven aspect of the novel, there is strong emphasis on the role of the media and justice systems in our society as a basis for the skepticism and distrust of both these institutions.
The plot is not only credible but is tightly woven and captivating. The twists and denouement are masterful. If by Gothic literature we refer to a study of the dark side of human nature, this novel fills the bill and is well worth the time as well as the emotions it will generate.

Love the twists

Would you listen to Gone Girl again? Why?

I can usually guess what is going to happen in stories. Not with this one. It really kept me guessing.

What did you like best about this story?

Even though it had lots of twists & turns, it was easy to follow. Some books, I have to rewind and say "now who was that again?" Not this one. It was easy to follow and VERY interesting.

Any additional comments?

I have already recommended it to friends!

Scary People, Great Story

Sometimes I don't trust the tastes of the general public and keep away from novels on the Bestseller list. My book club selected Gone Girl so I had to read it despite my hesitations. I'm so glad I read this book! I loved the back stories, I thoroughly enjoy the two voices of Nick and Amy in the read and best of all, I was surprised (a few times) by the twists and turns in this story - I have a nasty habit of figuring out the ending pretty early in a book. I couldn't decide which character to sympathize with and which to hate. I'm going to pick up another of her books and hope for the same result.

Guessing till the end

Would you consider the audio edition of Gone Girl to be better than the print version?

No

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

Haven't read a book that has left me guessing till the very end.

What three words best describe Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne ’s voice?

Okay performance

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

A lot of OMG moments and where did she come up with that idea

Any additional comments?

Just when you think you have it figured out..... Think again!!! I don't normaly write reviews but this book is just unique. It has a very slow start but when it gets going WOW!!! It's been two weeks since I finished reading it and I'm still talking to my friends about it.