GONE GIRL Gone Noir?

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn is indeed a unique and complex blend of Suburban, Domestic, and Chic Noir. The evidence is overwhelming.

CLUE 1

Suburban Noirs contain fictional towns that seem very safe and welcoming to the outside world, icy relationships and secrets lay just within the town limits.

This perfectly describes the small town of Carthage, Missouri in Gone Girl, which at first glance appears to be the average run-down midwestern town, but actually holds an array of deadly secrets.

CLUE 2

Domestic Noirs focus on the corruption in domestic relationships from the very second they were forged. Marriage is labeled as the place of cultivation for deception and darkness close to home.

From the very start of the relationship, as well as the start of the book, something is off about the relationship between Amy and Nick. The central issues of the story seem to revolve around their marital disputes, which is also what paints Nick as a prime suspect for Amy's disappearance.

CLUE 3

Chic Noirs are pretty much more feminist version of a noir. Aimed towards female readers, they strive to nitpick the flaws of the "deranged" husband or boyfriend, therefore always labeling the male character as the bad guy.

I would consider Gone Girl to be half Chic Noir because of the alternating perspectives between Nick and Amy. During Amy's narration, Nick is often depicted as the bad guy, and many of his flaws are exploited and condemned, which is something that would not have happened were Nick to be the only narrator.

Alright detectives, you have the clues. It is now up to you to solve the mystery of the noir. Best of luck.