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The following is a discussion question from the publisher.

Does the author intend for us to think of Nick or Amy as the stronger writer? Do you perceive one or the other as a stronger writer, based on their narration/journal entries? Why?

I'm not sure, but I think Amy was the stronger writer and that the author wanted it that way. I think her writing ability also corresponds to her insidious cleverness. What do you think?

I tend to agree. I was completely fooled by her, and I didn't like either of them at the end.

I was also fooled by her and had one of those jaw-dropping moments during the reveal. I agree that the author intended for Amy's sections to be stronger. For me, Nick was the more sympathetic character. Amy was just evil, crazy, manipulative, and it's didn't just start with the marriage.

Any was definitely the stronger writer. Nick wrote about pop culture for a magazine while Amy wrote an entire, believable life. Nick was superficial and didn't even seem to understand the subject matter enough to see through the stereotype his wife was showing him. Amy on the other hand wrote fiction so real that all of America believed it was true. How many writers can say that?

As for reading the two character perspectives, I think they were equal. Nicks narrative was seemed to be the star of the star of the show, but Amy's chapters were jaw dropping.

I agree that Amy was the stronger writer. She was on a whole different playing field. She was conniving. She didn't only fool Nick but the reader as well.

I too think that Amy was a stronger writer. Amy was indeed very clever and was able to be fool me.

I agree, I think Amy is the stronger writer. I can't imagine the author intended for us to think otherwise since we're given so many examples of her writing abilities. She really knew how to create a believable character. It sounds like this was an ability she frequently adopted off the page as well.

I would say Amy was the stronger writer. She creates an entire believable life. Nick just comes off as hapless.

Nick was surely the weaker one in my opinion. Amy has a sharper eye than Nick and fools readers one by one. I actually like the movie than the book but the book helps me understand the characters more.

I completely agree with you. I never imagined that such a devious character could be hidden inside such an outwardly nice girl. It came to me as a shock that 'diary Amy' was not real. I never realized that the character of 'diary Amy' was too good to be true until I came to the second part of the book.

Another thought: probably the author made Nick the weaker writer intentionally? So that the insidiousness of Amy can be contrasted far more sharply?

I really can't decide who is better between the two.

Amy was definitely the better writer in my opinion. I actually got Gone Girl on Audible when it first came out. The writing and narration were absolutely phenomenal, and honestly, I couldn't stand Amy or Nick by the end.

I believe it was Amy, I completely did not expect that about the diary. Had me totally fooled all the way.

Amy as definitely the stronger writer. She grew up around writers and was constantly weaving stories in her real life though, so it's really not that surprising! Nick only ever seemed to be 'okay' at everything he did.