Marriage and Other Things That Turn Us Crazy

By Mackenzi V.   

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is a hit or miss novel. It is considered a thriller (along with her others, Dark Places and Sharp Objects), focusing on the disappearance of Amy Dunne and its effects on her husband, Nick. Despite the book's dark subject matter, there are instances of humor and some moving moments. It is at once a study in crime, marriage, and the psychology of humans.

    The story opens from Nick's point of view as he reflects on his wife's head and its contents. It's a slightly chilling, intriguing introduction- followed by specific detail and long exposition. Reading it was a strange combination of disinterest and entertainment; you don't particularly care about what's being told, but you like the way it's being told, and you know it's going to be important later. It's not boring, exactly, but it's doesn't draw you in like the first few paragraphs of the novel do. The saving grace of Gone Girl's early chapters is the structure. As the investigation of Amy's disappearance progresses, we receive flashbacks in the form of her diary entries. This creates an interesting contrast in narration, as the story switches in both perspective and in terms of the timeline.

    The beginning has its moments, but the latter half of Gone Girl is the real reason to read the book. It's at this point that the story's twist is revealed. Suddenly the characters are more interesting and the plot itself is more magnetic; from here on out, the story is less action-driven and feels more like a character study. However, the intrigue is more present than ever before. You're no longer asking the hows of the situation, but the whys of it, and Flynn delivers. She sets up characters that are certainly crazy, but does so in a way that makes you want to learn more about their craziness. You might not like them, but you can't help but relate to some of what they're saying. You might not condone their actions, but you can't help but hoping that they continue.

    You will either love or hate this book. Despite the overall slowness of the first part, I side with the former. Gone Girl is not a perfect novel, but it's a fascinating one. The characters are wonderfully unlikable, the plot itself is gripping, and the conclusion is strangely satisfying. Flynn gives us the answers to our questions, if not necessarily in the way we expect.