The Girl on the Train...Review

About the book:
A debut psychological thriller that will forever change the way you look at other people’s lives.

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel offers what she knows to the police, and becomes inextricably entwined in what happens next, as well as in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

Compulsively readable, The Girl on the Train is an emotionally immersive, Hitchcockian thriller and an electrifying debut.

As is often the case with a popular mainstream novel, my opinion is going to be in the minority, but I did not love this story and am reminded, yet again, why I don't pick up thrillers very often.

The story alternates between the three first-person narratives of Rachel, the ex-wife; Anna, the new wife; and Megan, the neighbor. Rachel is a depressed alcoholic, obsessed with Megan who lives on the street where she used to live and where her ex-husband still lives with Anna his mistress-turned-wife and their baby.

This novel is a compelling train wreck. It's dreary and negative. There is no hope, no sunshine and nothing to make me care about any of these people. It is a promising debut and there are psychological aspects that show potential, but the Hitchhockian feel is about the only thing this novel has going for it.

I will confess that the rumors of who might be starring in the film adaptation of this novel are what motivated me to pick it up. And this is one of the rare times where I hope the film is better than the book.

Excessive profanity, non-explicit adultery.

Thanks to my local library for having a copy I could borrow. You can learn more about Paula Hawkins here. You can purchase your own copy here.

For a different opinion and perspective check out the reviews from some of my blog friends: A Literary Vacation, Layered Pages.

Read 10/15

* *
2/5 Stars

Comments

  1. I am on the other side. Liked it very much!

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    1. I think most people liked it a great deal, hence it's popularity. I'm often the minority when it comes to best sellers! I wanted to like it, really I did! :)

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  2. I tend to stay away from thrillers - my life is thrilling enough, lol. I also have been disappointed numerous times by books that have a lot of hype. Thanks for weighing in with your take!

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  3. Glad to read your review. I was thinking about reading it, but now, no. LOL

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  4. I haven't really been terribly interested in this one and your review just reinforces that for me.

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