Title: The Girl on the Train
Author: Paula Hawkins
Year Published: 2015
Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23347055-the-girl-on-the-train
Synopsis:
“EVERYDAY THE SAME
Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. ‘Jess and Jason’, she calls them. Their life – as she sees it – is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy.
UNTIL TODAY
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar.Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train…”
Another book that I picked up due to the hype! What am I like, eh?
From every major book club raving about this to a massive film adaptation – quite possibly EVERYONE was banging on about this book. So once I saw, a few months ago, that Waterstones were selling the book for £3.99 for a short amount of time, I had to jump on the bandwagon.
I really didn’t know what to expect from this book as I’ve never read any thrillers. I started Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn but couldn’t get into it so I put it down. The Girl on the Train, however, I was really enjoying. Until the end.
The Girl on the Train is told through 3 different perspectives. Rachel, a recently divorced alcoholic who takes the 8:04 train to Euston every day. Anna, Rachel’s ex-husband’s new wife. And Megan, the girl who has disappeared. All three of the perspectives really helped piece the plot together. The novel is set in a small town just outside of London, emphasising the “it’s a small world after all!” running theme you often get in novels set in small towns. But the connections Hawkins has created really interested me and surprised me at times!
The novel also deals with themes of alcoholism, anxiety and domestic violence. I think the exploration of alcoholism and anxiety were done quite well. You can see why they were present themes in the book mostly through the characters of Rachel, Megan and Anna – to an extent. However, the domestic violence was never really concluded. Which makes it look like it was added as a plot device for shock factor. And it lets the book down, along with the ending.
The ending fell really flat for me. Because one major scene is set in one specific place, it slows down the fast pacing of the book. Also, I felt like the ending was not shocking, when it came to the revelation. Which is a shame because the first two third’s of the book are brilliant.
I found The Girl on the Train to be a good starting point for thrillers and I’m hoping to read some more in the genre in the future after enjoying this one. And I hope the film is just as good!
Until next time
Hayley.
Hayley Sprout 