Hi Readers,
Yesterday, I finished reading the thriller, ‘The Girl on the Train’, by Paula Hawkins, and I must say that this was a complete page-turner from the very beginning. Before I continue, please note that the following review does contain spoilers. So if you are planning to read the book I advise you stop reading now. As some of you may be aware from my previous book posts, I tend to analyse and review books from a writer’s perspective; as a means to teach me to become a better writer, and this can sometimes mean giving away elements of the book.
The first thing that grabbed my attention with this book (and actually made me buy the book) was the title, and the fact that I am also ‘a girl on the train!’ I have commuted on trains into London for eight years now, and I have used different lines on the London Underground, depending on where I have lived. From the very first description of setting in the book, I was reminded of Putney Bridge (on the District line) and my days of looking out of the train windows at the Victorian houses and the roof terraces. The fact that you can see up-close into the gardens and windows of the houses had a strong link with the real setting in the novel. I believe that the subject of the train, commuting, and the passing of numerous houses on the journey is quite a universal subject in which every human can relate. I also believe that the universal theme is what makes the book so successful. It certainly makes me think of my own work and themes as a writer – would I want my work to relate to a majority of people, or the entire world?
The Girl on the Train is a straight-forward read when it comes to the thriller genre. The reading focuses entirely on the characters and plot, which every great novel should do. There are no over-arty sentences or paragraphs, and there are certainly no over-the-top descriptions, as with some other books that I have read in the genre. Although I am a lover of poetry and creative descriptions, there is a time and place when it comes to novels. I find that sometimes over-used description can have a detrimental effect on the progress of the story, slow it down, and often irritate me as a reader. I think a great solution is to weave in the beautiful settings and descriptions through the actions, which I think this novel does brilliantly.
The book follows the perspective of three women. Rachel is the lead character ‘the girl on the train’, and she becomes entwined in the lives of Megan and Anna, from what she witnesses on the train, on her daily commute. As a trio of characters, together they slowly reveal a love/murder mystery, and this occurs through different time-frames (dates and times which are printed on the heading of each chapter). I particularly love the first-person perspective in writing and it works wonderfully with these three characters; each of them has their own unique voice and personality, yet there is a similarity in voice that ties them together. Although the first person can be a restrictive point-of-view (in that you only get to experience the story through that characters eyes and thoughts) you do tend to get the strongest connection between character and reader with this view-point – because it is as though the character is talking to us, the reader, directly. I think had Paula only told us the story from Rachel’s perspective then the book would have certainly felt restricted, but the fact that we have three characters narrate, makes the novel much more rounded and colourful. And whilst I am speaking of characters, another element I particularly loved about this book was the small number of characters. There were just enough to make the novel interesting, yet not too many characters which can make us feel disconnected and confused.
There was one element in the book that I did find rather annoying, and this was the author’s tendency to over-mention Rachel’s alcoholism. Rachel has an alcohol addiction, which although is very relevant to the story and how she acts as a character, the repetitive ‘nipping to the off-license’ and ‘going to the fridge to grab wine’ scenes became irritating. When you find yourself feeling this way when reading, you have to ask yourself, as a reader and a writer, ‘Is there a need to mention it again? Does it do anything for the story, move the scene forward? How many times do we need to be told this? Readers are intelligent, and sometimes it need only take several mentions to get us to be aware of the character’s habit. I think it was important for us to be aware that Rachel was an alcoholic, and I can understand the repetitiveness to a certain degree, but I think this was one thing that was negative about the read, mainly because it took my thoughts away from the story.
Although I loved the book and it had me gripped, I must admit that I did find the ending to be rather rushed and very ‘convenient’. I got the impression that the author had written the ending first, as many authors do, and this was probably because of the faster pacing towards the end. The wrapping up of loose ends and any holes were perfectly applied by Paula, but I did find that the end suddenly ‘jumped’, just to meet the advice of the writing books. For instance, we know a character must nearly always change and learn something by the end of the story, but Rachel suddenly gives up alcohol for 12 weeks and moves to a new place without any natural push from the plot.
Overall, this was a great book, and I highly recommend it. Especially if you like your characters to be a little strange and if you like a little mystery that needs to be unravelled.
This is the ninth book that I have read this year, and I am so delighted to have read it before the movie is released in the UK in October – I can’t wait to see it! It is always a pleasure to get to read the book before the movie – especially when you get those spoilers whom tell you about the movie and end up ruining the book.
Until next time,
Best Wishes,
Donna x
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Wow! Great review! I am too keen to read it before the movie! It’s on my wish list and your fantastic reflection has fuelled my interest further. Congrats on finishing the 9th book this year. It’s the 9 th month of the year, and 9th book finished! Nice! 🙂
Thank you so much for reading my review and for commenting, it’s much appreciated 🙂 I hadn’t thought about the 9th book on the 9th month…a great observation. I hope to make it to 12 now 😀 I hope you are having a creative year 🙂
Thank you Donna. Yes quite I m having quite a creative year 😀
I read the book too and loved it! I do have to respectfully disagree with you about the alcoholism thing with Rachel. I think the author mentioned it a lot to emphasize what an unreliable narrator Rachel is. I love books with unreliable narrators and this author had so much fun with it it made it a delight to read.
Yes it is a great book and I loved it too 🙂 I agree that the author needed to mention Rachel’s alcoholism in order for her to become an unreliable narrator, but the repetition just annoyed me at particular times. I felt the same with a particular Nicci French book I once read – where one of her characters was addicted to coffee! Thanks for reading and taking the time to comment 🙂
I hope you’ll come back and review the movie!
I have never reviewed a movie, but you have certainly given me the idea now. Thanks!
Weirdly enough, just saw the movie trailer with Emily Blunt at flicks the other night, so unfortunately may have run out of time to read book before the film! Also, as is the fashion nowadays, trailer does seem to give away far too much of plot.
I haven’t yet seen the trailer…I might have to take a look 🙂 I have seen the movie poster at the cinema and it looks just as captivating as the book cover. I totally agree with you in that trailers give away far too much detail on plot. In the 80’s/90’s trailers seemed to be far more mysterious…but now they run them through like mini films 😀
Great review, definitely going into my tbr😏
Thanks so much, Debbie 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book too!
I tore through this book back in the spring, and loved it, too. Also can’t wait for the movie, I think it comes out in the US in October as well. Great review!
Hi Tina. Thanks for reading and commenting on my review, it’s much appreciated. Yes, can’t wait for the movie and all the movie reviews too. I love the book and movie duos 😀
I am not very much a fan of thrillers but your narrative adds a lot to the art of thought. Anand Bose from Kerala
Thanks, Anand Bose, I’m very glad that you think so. If any one reading can take a bite of inspiration or thought from my words then that makes me happy. I hope all is good 🙂
I loved the book too. I agree, I got bored quickly with the continuous mentions of Rachel being an alcoholic. For me also, the shift between dependency and alcohol-free life was a bit too easy.
Great review, I must read the book again.
Thank you so much for reading my review and commenting, it’s much appreciated. I’m so glad that you also felt this way about the easy shift from a dependent state to an alcohol-free state. I think a continuation of her current state might have been far more believable. Thanks so much 🙂
You are very welcome 😀 Thank you for stopping by and liking posts 🙂
I enjoyed reading your review. I read the book when it first came out, maybe for the same reason you did. I was a girl on a train,too. Definitely a page turner, not Virginia Woolf, but a good story.
Thank you so much for reading my review….I’m so happy you enjoyed it. It’s funny how a title or a theme that relates to your own life can really capture you…in this case a train 🙂 I must put a Virginia Woolf on my read list…do you have any recommendations? Thanks again 🙂
If I had to choose one it would be Mrs. Dalloway.
Thanks so much for the recommendation. I have added this to my ‘to read’ list on Goodreads.
I really enjoyed it too, and I *always* want to read the books before seeing any film adaptations 🙂
I agree…the books are always more in-depth than the movie. I am going to see the movie this weekend I think 🙂
Hope you enjoyed 🙂
Hello! I managed to watch the film, and thought it was as equally good as the book. Did you manage to read/see it? Happy New Year. Donna
Wow! Nine books this year? I’ve only read three novels and one non-fiction book so far. I’ve picked up some novels, but had to put them down because I didn’t like them. I like the points you make, regarding the writing of a character. I’m trying to be more mindful in my writing to not spell everything out and let the reader interpret some aspects. Such a good point and a good review that piques my interest without giving everything away. I’ve actually heard people mention this book–raving about it, actually–and have seen the trailer, and wasn’t interested in it until reading your post. Maybe I’ll make this novel number 4. Thanks!
Sorry for the late reply…I haven’t been on WP for a while due to house move and pregnancy. I have managed ten books this year now…I fitted in a Nicci French novel in ten days as it was a page-turner…but over the last month I haven’t had time to read much at all. I intend to start a new book soon when things settle down and at least read a few pages a day when I can…small steps 🙂 I definitely recommend the book. I am going to see the movie this weekend I think.
I stopped reading the review in its first paragraph… as the book is on my to-read list 🙂 Thank you much for stopping by my site and bringing me here 🙂 Going to read your other reviews now 🙂
Aw I’m glad you stopped reading the review my I hate spoilers…and I like to give my readers a warning 🙂 I hope you enjoy the book and come back to visit to let me know what you thought. I am going to see the movie this weekend I think.
Oh I sure will 🙂 Let me know if it is worth watching!!
Sounds like a great reading, indeed… very well penned review… thanks for sharing!. Regards. Aquileana 😀
Thanks Aquileana and sorry for the late reply…I haven’t been on WP for a while due to house move and pregnancy! I’m glad you enjoyed the review. Best Wishes.
Best of luck with what comes next, then 😉 Aquileana 🙂
Thank you 🙂
I liked that book..
I’m glad you enjoyed The Girl on the Train. I am going to see the movie this weekend I think 🙂
Oh, movie is also there? I did not know.
Yes it is UK cinemas at the moment.
How cool you life so near London. Such a wonderful city. I am biased of course. Maybe on the train you can come up for an idea like J K Rowling ha.
Thanks Alex and sorry for the late reply…I haven’t been on WP for a while due to house move and pregnancy! Yes London is a lovely city and very inspiring. I have a year off for maternity and I intend to pen a draft of a novel but whether it happens we shall see 🙂 I hope you are well.
Oops, I guess I am on the minority (or in this case the only one) who absolutely did not like the book. I read it in April and gave It a two stars, but secretly thought it deserved a one star.
Hi Ameena. I’m sorry to hear that you hated the book 😦
Read it and yes its brilliant.
I’m glad you liked it.
I love the review. And also want you to review this book https://epubebooks.net/the-girl-on-the-train-epub-review/ also please. i will follow up you on this
Thank you for your kind words.