I broke one of my cardinal rules. I read some reader reviews before
finishing reading it. I avoided spoilers, so as of today, I do not know how it
ends. However, from the "negative" reviews, I read accusations of
triteness of ending, of implausibility, of the book's overall worthlessness.
Halfway through, I don't feel yet that my investment of time and money has been
wasted. Plot Progress: The book has kept me consistently engaged. I have been studying each new character to find one to accuse as the killer of Nick Dunne's wife, Amy Elliott Dunne. Like others, I kept flip-flopping back and forth to decide which of theme (Nick & Amy) was the worst partner. By Part II (Boy Meets Girl), it no longer matters. I really like(d) Nick and disliked Amy's Diary Voice. She sounded childish and foolish. Her version of her love affair with Nick was believable, enviable. Nick came off naïve and a bit of a fool, but not a guilty fool. As Part I ended, Nick began to look different.
Part II opens with a new wash of facts, ideas and new possibilities. Was/Is Amy pregnant? Is Nick the creep she tells us he is?
When Nick reaches the shed behind Go's house, and in it finds all the expensive purchases made on their credit cards, but purchases he swears he never made, the reader can quit looking for the abductor.
Now in her own voice, Amy tells us what she is doing to Nick. Neck lays it all out to his new lawyer and we're off on a new chase.
Thoughts: Because I had read ahead, I know to expect some strange switches. I am beginning to think that Amy did not plan/plot the appearance of her murder. I think Nick did it in Amy’s name, and that Nick probably commits the perfect crime.
We’ll see.
7/5/12: Well now, Amy Dunne is quite the nut case.
ReplyDeleteSome of Flynn's devices are magnificent. Some are a bit trite.
More and more, I am convinced that Amy and Nick have contrived this story together. I predict the end of the novel will find them living happily ever after.