Gone Girl - Gillian Flynn

Date Started: 8/27/12
Date Finished: 8/30/12

So this appears to be the rare case for me where I actually read a popular book at the very minute it is popular. My mother had purchased this one and having finished it, was raving about it. Since I'm home on vacation I decided to make a quick read of it (didn't want to drag the hardback copy back to NY with me). It was an engaging read and while certain elements were predictable, I did find myself surprised by the ending. Spoilers ahead...(seriously, the whole plot and ending).

So the book follows Nick and Amy, a married couple whose relationship has clearly seen better days. We meet them on their fifth anniversary; or rather, we meet Nick, because Amy goes missing. Of course she is presumed dead and of course everyone suspects the husband, and of course we spend the first half of the book learning what a dick Nick is and reading diary entries from Amy that make her seem like a gem. The first half of the book was a set up for what was really to come (note: I never believed Amy was dead).

Surprise, she isn't dead! Surprise, she is a complete psycho who has framed her husband for her murder after discovering that he cheated on her. And she spent a year planning the frame. Surprise! Ok, so that much wasn't all that surprising, but learning about her true character (psycho) certainly was. Through Nick we get a better picture of how far she will go to get even with people she thinks have wronged her, and it's impressive. She has woven a web that will trap Nick and send him away for life (if he doesn't get the death penalty). Even Nick admits he is impressed, between wanting to truly kill her.

But! Fate intervenes! Amy's money is stolen by drifters and she is forced to call on her old flame, Desi, who essentially holds her captive in his mansion lake-house. He is obsessed with her, of course. So Amy does what she does best - sets up an elaborate plan, then kills him and returns home to Nick, claiming that she was kidnapped and repeatedly raped by Desi. Everyone rejoices that she is home. And only Nick, his twin sister and one cop know the truth. But what can they do? The answer is nothing because Amy (Amazing Amy, as the books her parents wrote made her) has all of the bases covered.

Despite hating her, Nick knows he can't leave, but he decides to write a book about what really happened, at the same time Amy is writing her account. But then she plays the ultimate trump card. Remember those sperm donations you made forever ago Nick? Oh, we didn't get rid of them. No, Amy impregnates herself, so Nick is trapped. And he knows her for what she is, and is forced to play her game and be the perfect husband. And he is forced to stay to make sure the child will be ok.

Amy wins.

So, for me, the ending was the true surprise. I really thought Amy would get what was coming to her because our sense of justice demands it. But nope, she wins, and we are left with a sad, final view of Nick, hoping he can take care of the child and not end up murdered by his wife.

Good, engaging, quick read. I can see why it is so popular.