Yesterday marked the 10 year anniversary of Gone Girl. The chilling novel that later saw screen success now has a cult-like following. Gillian Flynn, author of Gone Girl and other remarkable books, such as Dark Places and Sharp Objects, took to Instagram to commemorate the date.
In her post she states the child raised by Amazing Amy would now be 16 and comments ‘I’m chilled… in a good way’.
I now desperately want to know how the child turned out, and need a sequel. So, while we hope Flynn gets to work on that, let’s recall the reasons why we love Gone Girl. Warning: spoilers ahead!
You root for the villain
‘Amazing Amy’ is actually far from it. The narrative unravels revealing her as clever and conniving, intended to ruin her husband. Yet despite all the elaborate tricks and psychotic plans, we still root for her. Why is unclear, you wouldn’t want to be friends with her, you wouldn’t even want to meet her. But she’s complex and flawed, insecure and inherently vulnerable. And her narrative makes readers more understanding of her actions.
The ‘Cool Girl’ monologue
‘Cool Girls never get angry; they only smile in a chagrined loving manner and let their men do whatever they want […] Men actually think this girl exists’.
This monologue is iconic to say the least. Flynn perfectly encapsulates the frustration of pandering to the male gaze and the exhaustion of pretending to be something you’re not. Amy’s story is a revenge-like fantasy not only against her husband – but all of these men.
It embraces female rage
Both Nick and Amy display marital stereotypes in the novel. Amy, a nagging obsessive wife catering to Nick’s every need. And Nick, a lazy detached husband who cheats. Fed-up with playing a game she can never win, Amy turns the tables. She releases years of suppressed female rage on her husband, by deciding an elaborate scheme to destroy him. She refuses to accept what’s deemed as normal in a marriage.
The narration
What many people enjoy about this novel is the narrative structure. Accounts are given by both Amy and Nick and both are unreliable. The inconsistency makes for a shocking twist. The readers are constantly wondering what the truth is.
It’s shocking
Arguably the main reason why Gone Girl is so popular is that it’s shocking. The twists and turns of the narrative, the revelations and secrets slowly spilled out, all keep us on the edge of our seat. Not to mention Amy’s actions and desperation to get back at her husband. And while Amy might be a genius, the true mastermind is Gillian Flynn. She creates a world so detailed and characters so deeply complex; it’s impossible not to leave a mark on you.
If you enjoyed reading Gone Girl, I would definitely recommend Flynn’s other works. All are equally as gripping and you won’t want to put them down.