Book review: Gone Girl

"Our kind of love can go into remission but it's always waiting to return. Like the world's sweetest cancer."

I've recently read 'Gone Girl' by Gillian Flynn after lots of recommendations! It was the first book I've read in a long time that I just could not put down, it was absolutely brilliant and I urge you to read it.

It's a story of love, hate, revenge, lies and is full of twists. The characters of Amy and Nick as narrators are so brilliantly written. They are complex and interesting. You fall in love and out with the characters throughout the story. It is a really powerful plot. On the morning of their fifth anniversary, Amy goes missing and Nick quickly becomes the prime suspect but all is not as it first seems. As the police investigation and Nick's investigation unravel the readers learns more about their marriage and them as individuals. Flynn writes fantastically and really draws you in to the story.

The central relationship is confusing and messy. But, Flynn also takes time to reflect on the upbringing of the main characters and how their parents influenced their lives in such a big way. There is fantastic commentary on how society views women and the husband/wife dynamic as well as the media portrayal of the law and high profile murder cases.

Flynn manages to make you question a lot of things in this dark tale, primarily how well one person can really know another. The book is fast paced and never seems to slow down, the twist literally made me gasp out loud.

This book is addictive, gripping and an absolute must read!

Book review - The Kite Runner

Whilst at university, I never really got the opportunity to pick up a book and read for pleasure. This was my favourite thing to do before uni so now it's over, I get the chance and time to again which is great! The first book I've read is 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini. I had heard great things about it so thought I'd give it a go. It was published in 2003 to critical acclaim.

Set in the 1970s in Afghanistan, it tells the story of two young boys - Amir and Hassan. Amir's father is rich and Hassan's is his servant. Both children lost their mothers at a very young age and have been like brothers since. All of this changes on the day of the kite fighting tournament when one of the boys betrays the other. Amir included, many Afghans are forced to flee to America following the Russian invasion.

I absolutely loved this book! The story is really gripping and wonderfully written. It gives a really interesting look at the history of Afghanistan, something that I knew very little of before picking the book up. Hosseini tells tales of growing up so wonderfully.

Ultimately, this is a story about betrayal and redemption, about friends and family and loyalty. The writing is powerful and engaging, one of those fantastic books you look for that you cannot put down. I am really glad that I chose this to be my first reading for pleasure book after university, it has definitely reignited my passion for fiction.