Monday, August 13, 2012

"GONE GIRL": THE DARK SIDE OF MARRIAGE


"What are you thinking Amy? The question I've asked most often during our marriage, if not out loud, if not to the person who could answer. I suppose these questions stormcloud over every marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? Who are you? What have we done to eachother? What will we do?"      -  EXCERPT "GONE GIRL" By  Gillian Flynn

I just finished reading "Gone Girl" a psychological thriller by best selling author Gillian Flynn (more on the book in a minute.)

Every night before I go to bed, I cuddle up to a book either on my Iphone or my Ipad. The electronic device is not as soft or pliable as a paper book but the convenience of reading on my Iphone is too tempting to pass up.

I used to read paperbacks and I had a little book light that I would have to clip onto the sleeve of the book, but the flaps were flimsy and usually I would have to move the light with my hands like a flashlight so it could light up the next paragraph I was reading.

The upside of reading on my electronic device: my Iphone has a built-in light eliminating the need for a book light, I store all the books I've purchased on my device so I can always choose to read two or three books at a time without lugging them around or having my nightstand look like a makeshift library, and finally if I happen to finish a book quickly I can buy another one instantly using my Ibooks app and read the reviews right then and there.

The downside: I can't let my sister or friends borrow the books I've purchased because its impossible to download the book on your computer, transfer it to a zip-drive and then let someone else read it. (I'm sure there is a way to do it but it also just doesn't feel right in this era of out-of-control DVD pirating.) Plus handing over a zip-drive doesn't feel as organic as does handing over an actual physical book and saying ,"hey sis, check out out this novel, it's a page turner."

Gone Girl, was a real page turner. I read it relatively fast because I couldn't put it down. There are lots of plot twists and turns and I really enjoyed the fact that Amy the main character is a strong woman. Well, strong in certain ways... if you read the book you'll know what I mean. My sister recently celebrated a birthday and I loved Gone Girl so much I actually went to a brick and mortar store, bought a hardcover copy and gave it to her as a gift.

I highly recommend Gone Girl, although I was a little disappointed in the ending, the smart writing and original plot still made it worthwhile. The book was acquired by 20th Century Fox and is expected to be turned into a Hollywood Movie by Reese Witherspoon's company, Pacific Standard. This is one movie ticket I will certainly purchase, but Im glad I read the book first.

Here is a link to Amazon for "Gone Girl"