Gone Girl

[andy-hughes]

Read the book - loved it, fantastic for a debut novel.

Seen the film - loved that too - no spoilers here except to say -

in addition to following the plot, take time out to see the doubtless intentional take on media manipulation - and the media's manipulation - fabulous.

[sp1814]

andy_hughes

We saw it on Sunday night. I completely agree - an excellent adaptation (but then again, my film hero - David Fincher was directing, so I was expecting nothing less than something first class).

Best book-to-film transfer since 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo'.

If anyone is thinking of seeing this film, I heartily recommend it.

And yes andy_hughes...something that I didn't really take that much note of in the book - the film's portrayal of the way the media screws with us was extremely well done.

[chrissa1]

Just finished this book, myself. Really enjoyed it.

[LyndaB]

Just goes to show that we are all different - I absolutely hated the book. I detested both of the main characters and thought they deserved each other! Needless to say, I won't be watching the film

[andy-hughes]

Lyndab - "I detested both of the main characters and thought they deserved each other!"

And that is what makes the book so good.

You are not supposed to sympathise with these deeply unpleasant people manacled together by their machinations - their schadenfreude is exactly what gives the book its bite.

[Tizzi24]

I'm going to see it this afternoon andy and then the book's next.

[LyndaB]

I thought the book was very well written, but I wouldn't say that the book itself was good. I can't enjoy a book unless I have at least some empathy with the characters and I got partway through the book and realised that I couldn't care less what happened to either of them. Remember - just because you liked it doesn't make it good, just as me disliking it doesn't make it bad. Some books that have had absolutely rave reviews have left me cold, and some that I have loved have had barely a mention in the reviews columns.

[andy-hughes]

LyndaB - "Remember - just because you liked it doesn't make it good, just as me disliking it doesn't make it bad."

Absolutely not - but the sales figures suggest that more people enjoyed it than not.

[sp1814]

The irritating thing I found about the book is not being able to tell people *why* I liked it. The same goes with the film - I enjoyed the book because I went in 'blind'.

And actually LyndaB, I see your point. But I can't respond because I don't want to spoil anything for those who have not read the book.

Suffice to say, I thought the film of this book was *considerably* better than the other film adaptation I saw earlier this year. That was 'Before I Go To Sleep'. The film is very 'meh', whilst the book is a hardcore page-turner.

[andy-hughes]

sp1814 - the blurb on the cover - usually so ludicrous as to merit being ignored, was absolutely on the money. It said - i am paraphrasing - "You will want other people you know to read it so you can talk about it."

Absolutely!

I have tried to talk about it at work without giving anything away - it's impossible!

[bloomwood]

I tried the first chapter the other night, it didn't make me want to read the next one, maybe I was a bit hasty, i'll give it another go tonight.

[sp1814]

bloomwood

I don't want to give anything away, but I urge you to keep on reading. All I can say is that halfway through the book there's a great big 'WHAT THE HELL!!!' moment which will reward your patience.

Honest.

[andy-hughes]

I'd agree bloomwood - you are engaged in the 'scene setting' for the story - hang in there.

[chaptazbru2]

Lynda, I didn't like the book either, just couldn't get into it, so I won't watch the film either !

[ethandron]

I've looked at the book numerous times, to download on to my kindle but all the reviews have put me off. Reading what's been written here, I'm still undecided..

[sp1814]

ethandron

At first glance, the book comes across as a dry 'chic lit' piece. It's a trick. Its a very cleverly structured novel, because halfway through you are challenged to re-evaluate a number of assumptions you've made in the first 250 pages.

Suffice to say, halfway through the book, I put it down on the bus and said out loud, "***".

I am an EXTREMELY slow reader. I finished the book in two and a half days. Could not recommend it higher.

[sp1814]

bloom wood - andy_hughes is right. Honest - once you get to the halfway point, you'll say..."Oh!!! Oh...wait!!!"

[ethandron]

sp, maybe I ought to buy it anyway then and give it a go...it's all of £2.30 or something on kindle. Trouble is, I've had so many free good books from the kindle store or BookBub I really begrudge paying for any now, cheapskate that I am :o)

[bloomwood]

I will try it again, honest,lol