I will admit, I have an inherent suspicion about books that become popular only after a feature film based on the literary work is announced, but I found pleasant surprise in "Gone Girl," which was published in 2012 and turned into a feature film starring Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike in 2014.
"Gone Girl" was published by Crown Publishing Group and is a semi-daunting 555 pages long. It was a New York Times hard cover fiction bestseller for eight weeks. In less than one year, the novel sold over two million copies in both its print and online editions.
The novel deals with a myriad of topics, but at its core, is a critique of today's media. Flynn was formerly a reporter with Entertainment Weekly and; therefore, is well-versed in the intricacies of media practices, particularly, both the media's and the consumers' craving for stories that expose others. She was laid off from the publication and seems to have used the two main characters, Nick and Amy, as a therapy of sorts since they are both writers who are not currently working.
One of the things that worked the most for me was the narrative of the novel which switches back and forth between the points of view of Nick and Amy. This also allowed for unreliable narrating, which plays a huge role in the novel, as the husband and wife duo only allow the reader to know certain aspects of their lives. I haven't read anything quite like it and the greatest thing about it was that it didn't feel forced.
Something I didn't like in the novel was that by the end of the novel, so much had changed that it was a tad confusing and I found myself having to flip back to the beginning and re-read whole sections to understand why something mattered or why I should care that it changed.
The book is available to order on Amazon for $8.43.
I must say I am a bit surprised to find another person who has yet to read Gone Girl (other than me). It seems as though everyone has read this book!
ReplyDeleteKnowing that it became especially popular after the release of the movie a few short years after the novel was published, I, too, have been skeptical to read it with the idea that "it can't possibly be that good" but everyone who I have talked to about this book has said quite the opposite, strangely enough. I do not believe I have heard a negative review of this novel, actually.
I had no idea that the book traded points of views. I am particularly interested in reading this book now!
I have not read Gone Girl. But I must say, after seeing the movie, it is most certainly on my list of books to read. Everything I've heard about it, both from others and in your review, screams to me that I need to read it. I like especially when you talk about the unreliable narrator aspect. I always enjoy stories that use an unreliable narrator (or in this case, multiple!) because I believe that it is such a unique tool to use to play with the audience. Another classic novel that is told with an unreliable narrator is The Great Gatsby, which I assume everyone in this class has read. In Gatsby, Nick Carraway is used to tell Gatsby's story from one person's point of view. He's biased, so the reader can never be 100% certain that what he's saying is completely accurate. Great fun!
ReplyDeleteI also like that, as you've said, Gone Girl is a commentary on today's media. It's so blown out of proportion, and I always appreciate when an author can push a message or theme without seeming too preachy. The way you've described Gone Girl, this seems to be the case here as well. And I'm sure the author being a former pop cultural journalist is helpful in this aspect!
Hopefully, I can use what you said you didn't like about it to enhance what I do like, when I read it. What I mean by this is that you said you were had to go back to re-read sections. Hopefully, I can pay super close attention the first time I go through and try to get everything.
Overall, great review, and I hope to read Gone Girl soon!
Wow, that title really pulled me in. I am definitely more likely to stop and read this than the traditional book-for-title method.
ReplyDeleteI do too become hesitant about books that have gained popularity by being turned into a movie. It’s actually why I have been hesitant to read this book.
I appreciate hitting the mention that the book critiques the media. That makes me more interested. I didn’t know that that was behind this book. I think the media and what it does to us definitely should be under scrutiny! Really appreciate that added information. Especially about the author and her ties to writing a book like this.
I would have liked to read more about what you started to write about in the first chapter. I am still not sure how this book particularly is different from traditional fiction. But I understand that can be hard to do without giving away major plot points. And I hate spoilers so your lack of them is appreciated!
Cool that you read a book you were suspicious about! Thanks for a good review.