Because Ideas Matter...
The faculty and staff of Butler University's College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences presents
Recommended Readings
Gone Girl
by Gillian Flynn, Crown 2012
Reviewed by Judi Morrel
In today's world it seems that "The butler
did it" has morphed into "The husband did it." And that's what you
will believe during a good portion of Gillian Flynn's dark, sneaky
novel about the disappearance of Amy Dunne on her fifth wedding
anniversary. Despite his vehement protests of innocence, husband
Nick looks guiltier and guiltier as the first part of the plot
unwinds, the damning evidence mounts up, and his lies to the police
unravel. But is he really culpable in Amy's disappearance? Is he
guilty of anything other than not being the World's Best Husband?
Who exactly are the bad guys in this ingeniously plotted and
twisted tale? Gone Girl is Ms. Flynn's third work of fiction (her
first, Sharp Objects, earned an Edgar nomination), but this one is
more a literary novel than a pure thriller. Ultimately, Gone Girl
is less about crime and more about deceitfulness. The twisting,
turning plot unfolds as the voices of the two main characters, Nick
and Amy, alternate the telling of the tale. Don't be lulled by what
appears to be a done-too-often plot; this psychological thriller
contains surprises galore, especially in the second half..
- Judi Morrel is Professor of Mathematics and Director of the
Center for High Achievement and Scholarly Engagement
(CHASE) at Butler University.