Reviews with content warning for Rape - Gone Girl

The narrators are really obnoxious. I get this is the point, they’re both heavily faulted, but do BOTH leads need to constantly use derogatory language against women? Nick uses descriptors like “vaginal” and “fuck-doll of a girl,” and deems communication a “womanly art.” Amy talks as if being female means being shallow, needy, demanding, etc. (“I know, I know, I’m being a girl.”). She plays the perfect “poor me” damsel-in-distress.
The story is a battle between sexes. Again, that’s the premise: it’s a catastrophic drama between husband and wife. I see that some people find the ending really unsatisfying because of this, but if you go into it without expectations, I personally think it comes full circle in a way that fits the characters.
Great build-up with an engaging concept. We get Nick’s POV in present day, while Amy’s is slowly revealed through old diary entries. I love how the mystery feels like a game, between Nick’s secretiveness and Amy’s literal scavenger hunt clues.
Writing quality is solid. Paced well with a wide range of vocab. Chapters flow into each other and feel substantial, rather than filler or “hooky” just to keep the reader’s attention (like many others I’m reading these days).

Overall, the plot is as tense as I remember — this is one that I wish I could reread for the first time to properly process all the revelations and details.

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kassandrahg's review against another edition

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medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

A really good story! The cunning but unreliable narrators were engrossing. The story unfolds in such a brilliant way. Nick and Amy are so deliciously toxic- partners teasing out deeper derangement in one another.

It did start off slow and seemingly predictable but picked up. The absurdity of the twists, while somewhat predictable, were captivating.

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seabergj's review against another edition

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dark tense medium-paced

1.0

Book was obviously well written, but ultimately the book was too disturbing for me - too graphic, too much language, too much violence, too much!!! Felt gross. I like thrillers but not this gritty.

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