The movie was insanely brilliant. But it took me a week to realize, it was a book adaptation (My ignorance is celebrated every now and then.. phew!). A sad moment because I prefer to devour on books before jumping into movies.
The "plot" of two imperfect, immoral, flawed people getting together in an unrealistic dream of a perfect life, ultimately creating havoc is the star of this creation.
I knew it all in greater detail (thanks to the movie which is a must watch), but the casual writing style with elaborated options and some details missed in the movie made the read- fun. The major turn off were the swear words thrown over your face every now and then. May be its the modern literature thing but for me its was an enigma.... boring, unwanted and irritating.
Lance Nicholas Dunne, a New York journalist falls for Amy Elliott, a personality quiz writer. Their story of falling in love amongst the sugar clouds is almost magical. But no love story is without flaw. They lose their job in downsizing and they relocate their life in Missouri as Nick's mother is dying of cancer. Nick and his twin sister Margo starts a bar with Amy's money. Amy who was used to a good New York life style suffocates in their new home and Nick suffers from a decreased confidence after his lost job. Their marriage become dysfunctional but nobody surrenders. On the eve of their fifth marriage anniversary, Amy goes missing. Nick becomes the primal suspect. Amy's diary, the money problem, spiking her life insurance, his cheating on Amy with his student, circumstantial evidences - all points towards Nick; but the story gives an unexpected twist.
SPOILER ALERT***
Amy is not as humble and sweet as portrayed. Slowly her manipulative and controlling behavior attracts attention. Actually she planted all the false evidences to frame her husband to revenge his adultery. She is so cruel, she even murders her admirer who helped her after she is convinced that her husband has learned the lesson (Nick starts to plead her to come back through tabloid). But Nick understands her like the back of his hand and tries to expose her, but in vain. In the mean time Amy forces him to fake his love in front of the media and to control him- gets pregnant by invitro fertilization. Nick gives himself up to Amy, in an attempt to save his unborn child. The book ends in a strange note.
Not a big fan of this writing style (though I love the first order writing style that helps you understand the character better, I was not impressed with the lack of depth here...). What about comeuppance? No bad guys are hurt instead an innocent life is lost. Life is not fair after all! But the story is absorbing, a potent psychological thriller that makes an incomplete attempt to read through the uncharacteristic mind of two strange people. I loved how this book portrays the way tabloid worships victim and how some "manipulative victim role players" abuses them. The simple fact that - everyone thinks, marriage is supposed to be perfect, embodied with stars and rainbow, but perfection really does not exist and its all about small compromises to gratify one another's need - is taught in a very painful and unconventional manner. It is a weird, dark, imperfectly gripping yet fun read. The end gives you an unsettling feeling though. Its not all rainbows and butterflies here.
Read it if you have time or just catch the movie. Whatever suits you.
The "plot" of two imperfect, immoral, flawed people getting together in an unrealistic dream of a perfect life, ultimately creating havoc is the star of this creation.
I knew it all in greater detail (thanks to the movie which is a must watch), but the casual writing style with elaborated options and some details missed in the movie made the read- fun. The major turn off were the swear words thrown over your face every now and then. May be its the modern literature thing but for me its was an enigma.... boring, unwanted and irritating.
Lance Nicholas Dunne, a New York journalist falls for Amy Elliott, a personality quiz writer. Their story of falling in love amongst the sugar clouds is almost magical. But no love story is without flaw. They lose their job in downsizing and they relocate their life in Missouri as Nick's mother is dying of cancer. Nick and his twin sister Margo starts a bar with Amy's money. Amy who was used to a good New York life style suffocates in their new home and Nick suffers from a decreased confidence after his lost job. Their marriage become dysfunctional but nobody surrenders. On the eve of their fifth marriage anniversary, Amy goes missing. Nick becomes the primal suspect. Amy's diary, the money problem, spiking her life insurance, his cheating on Amy with his student, circumstantial evidences - all points towards Nick; but the story gives an unexpected twist.
SPOILER ALERT***
Amy is not as humble and sweet as portrayed. Slowly her manipulative and controlling behavior attracts attention. Actually she planted all the false evidences to frame her husband to revenge his adultery. She is so cruel, she even murders her admirer who helped her after she is convinced that her husband has learned the lesson (Nick starts to plead her to come back through tabloid). But Nick understands her like the back of his hand and tries to expose her, but in vain. In the mean time Amy forces him to fake his love in front of the media and to control him- gets pregnant by invitro fertilization. Nick gives himself up to Amy, in an attempt to save his unborn child. The book ends in a strange note.
Not a big fan of this writing style (though I love the first order writing style that helps you understand the character better, I was not impressed with the lack of depth here...). What about comeuppance? No bad guys are hurt instead an innocent life is lost. Life is not fair after all! But the story is absorbing, a potent psychological thriller that makes an incomplete attempt to read through the uncharacteristic mind of two strange people. I loved how this book portrays the way tabloid worships victim and how some "manipulative victim role players" abuses them. The simple fact that - everyone thinks, marriage is supposed to be perfect, embodied with stars and rainbow, but perfection really does not exist and its all about small compromises to gratify one another's need - is taught in a very painful and unconventional manner. It is a weird, dark, imperfectly gripping yet fun read. The end gives you an unsettling feeling though. Its not all rainbows and butterflies here.
Read it if you have time or just catch the movie. Whatever suits you.
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