Gone Girl: Couple of the Year

"I liked the idea of marriage told as a he-said, she-said story, and told by two narrators who were perhaps not to be trusted."  - Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl

"You two are the most f*cked-up people I have ever met, and I specialize in f*cked-up people."
- Tanner Bolt, attorney for Nick Dunne (characters in the novel)

 Perhaps not to be trusted?  Yes, that's putting it mildly.  There's not a lot you can say about "Gone Girl" without spoiling some of its most indelible moments for the reader, but suffice to say this chronicle of a marriage is one that will leave even the most normal couples giving a little extra thought to their spouse's comments and habits.  Gosh,  I wonder what she meant by that...

This part, at least, has been well published - the novel begins on the day of Amy and Nick Dunne's fifth anniversary, when Amy disappears without a trace.  From that point on, the novel alternates between a present-day narrative of how Nick handles the situation (poorly), and excerpts from Amy's diary - beginning with their courtship and right up to the point where we now find ourselves.

Halfway through, "Gone Girl" takes a sharp turn, and from that point on we find ourselves in the midst of a game of cat and mouse, except you're never quite sure who is the cat and who is the mouse.  And that's when you find yourself needing to read just one more chapter - because holy f*ck, I really can't believe this is happening.

The book is currently being made into a film directed by David Fincher, for release this fall.  Ben Affleck is portraying Nick, and he's the perfect choice - he should be perfectly believable as a narcissistic, somewhat callow husband (and I really mean that as a compliment).  Rosamund Pike is portraying Amy, and this is one of those roles that fall into the "opportunity of a lifetime" category.  If Pike can pull this off, then she's an almost certain lock for an Oscar nomination.  If she can't, she probably spends the rest of her career as a second or third wheel.  I hope she can pull it off, because this could make for some pretty spectacular cinema.

You should definitely read this book.  You may not "enjoy" it, but it really is worth all the ink it's gotten.