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

Ugly marriage

The two protagonists in this story are very sorry individuals in a unlovely and unloving marriage. You won't find heroes in this story, but if you like twists and turns in a story, you may find this more satisfying than I did. There's way-way too much ugly detail about two ugly people in a very ugly marriage.

When bad things happen to bad people

This audiobook was amazing. I found myself talking about it to anyone that would listen.

It was very true to life and had me asking the same questions I have when real wives "went missing" in the news....what really happened, is she dead, did he kill her, what was going on in their house leading up to this, who is only involved for publicity after the fact?

I love the way the story unfolded. It starts out with Nick but is narrated in a play-by-play sort of way so that you don't get background or his thoughts or anything. Even though it's first-person perspective, I kept getting surprised by things he failed to "mention" in his story.
Then you meet Amy, through her diary, and she is truly amazing but not always in a good way.

I gave it only 4 stars because I thought the very end was less than satisfactory after building up to it all those hours.

Great Twisted Tale

The book is well written and well read. I really loved the story and the twists and turns it takes the reader on. Just goes to show you that you can't judge a book by it's cover or a character by their own view of themselves.

Excellent story

The story kept me guessing the entire time. Very entertaining and surprising. I would definitely recommend this book.

you must download this!

I REALLY enjoyed this audible. Rated in my top 5!! I would have to put this one next to THE HELP as far as performance.

The end made me ANGRY!

However, after mulling it over for several days, I realized that it was the only logical solution to the situation.

The published description is enough to get you into the story. Any elaboration would create a big spoiler. This is more psychological than mystery. The characters "play games," respond, and enable each other until they are both sucked-in to what I would call a form of purgatory.

The audio using two narrators for the main characters was perfect for this book. It leaves no question which character is speaking and the change overs are well done.

This is an entertaining read, a bit quirky, and well worth the time spent.

All I can say is WOW - What a screwed up couple!

Would you listen to Gone Girl again? Why?

I would listen to this book again, because there is so much going on. So many different points of view.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Gone Girl?

The ending - I won't give it away but I can't believe it!

Which scene was your favorite?

My favorite scene was when Nick gave the interview in the bar. He'd finally realized what he needed to do.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The whole book moved me and made me take a closer look at my own marriage. Which is no where near this dysfunctional, but still the book makes a great case for examining how well you know your spouse and how well you think they know you.

Any additional comments?

Loved it! The characters are so screwed up, you don't know who to cheer for!

Loved this book!

Any additional comments?

Very smart and kept you guessing. I couldn't stop listening and loved all of the plot twists.

Fantastic!

I just discovered Gillian Flynn last week and have gone through the 3 books she has on audible since. It has been a long time since I have found an author that holds my attention the way Flynn does. The writing is focused on the story and doesn't veer off the way so many of these mystery thrillers do. I also like the fact that all three of her books are stand alone novels. So many of the books I find on audible are installments of series that a lot of times are missing some of those books, generally the first book of the series. I am only disappointed I have come to the end of this 3rd book and look forward to her next novel.

Completely mesmerized!

What did you love best about Gone Girl?

The way the story unfolds and the voice narration. Gillian Flynn describes each character, each scene such flawlessly. I am completely hooked!

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Yes indeed! The twist in Part 2 was excellent!

What does Julia Whelan and Kirby Heyborne bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Absolutely!!

Any additional comments?

I hope the movie lives up to this well-written book!