The Girl on the Train in 2015 Reading Challenge

Jan 06, 2015 Marcilia rated it really liked it

I loved that every single character in this book had something broken about them. To me it makes them easier to relate to, as well as making the characters feel more “real”. As we learn more about them, and see their lives unfolding before us, we can feel for them and with them. It might not always feel pleasant, but that’s just how life is. This novel was raw, and it did not sugar coat the characters in any way. The use of the train, the train tracks and the ongoing train tips was really a fant I loved that every single character in this book had something broken about them. To me it makes them easier to relate to, as well as making the characters feel more “real”. As we learn more about them, and see their lives unfolding before us, we can feel for them and with them. It might not always feel pleasant, but that’s just how life is. This novel was raw, and it did not sugar coat the characters in any way. The use of the train, the train tracks and the ongoing train tips was really a fantastic way of pointing out that everyone is on different trips, to different places, or different paths, also everyone in this novel is a bit of a “train wreck” with their various issues and problems.

The story is told in the perspective of Rachel our unreliable main character, Anna ( mistress/now wife of Rachel’s ex-husband Tom) and Megan who ends up murdered. After being divorced, forced out of her home, and replaced with Anna (the mistress) Rachel has been pretty down on her luck. She’s a heavy drinker, and I can’t say I blame her (especially after all she has been through). Rachel takes the train into work every day and often fantasizes about a specific happy couple she dubs “Jess and Jason” and their perfect life. It so happens to be that this couple live in the same neighborhood that Rachel once shared a house with her husband Tom. Now Tom lives there with his new wife and former mistress Anna and their baby, the one thing Rachel always wanted. Rachel is depressed, and unwilling to let go. Her drinking leads to her losing her job, and her having memory loss/black outs. Megan seems to have the perfect life from where Rachel sees her from the train cart, but Megan really isn’t happy at all. She’s bored with her life, and her surroundings. She can’t figure out what she wants and ultimately ends up murdered. The author does a wonderful job weaving together all the dates and perspective timelines as they merge and connect with one another.

There were parts that lagged a bit, but mainly because I was starting to get sick of Rachel’s drinking, but mainly I was hooked from the start. I love that the author kept me guessing in regards to what really happened to Megan and who actually murdered her. I did figure it out before the reveal, but it was right at the end. A thrilling read that was fast paced and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, I definitely recommend giving this debut novel a try. I know I am looking forward to the next book by Paula Hawkins. ...more

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 22, 2015 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: read-in-2015

There is something to be said for a strong finish! The beginning of this book was all over the place. Different narrators, different time periods. It was a mess, but by the time you hit the half way point, everything starts to make sense. The characters are strong, the writing is beautiful and the story weaves between the three narrators so expertly. Hawkins' novel DID have a vision and it was clear by the end of the book. I'm excited to see where she goes next. I just hope that more people will ...more

Like · see review

Feb 22, 2015 Sue rated it it was amazing

So far, my favorite book of 2015.

1 like · Like · see review

Jan 08, 2015 Tricia rated it really liked it

Loved it! Kept wanting to read more! Great ending! The only annoying part was the stupid British lingo. Ya bloody know, you bloke?!?

1 like · Like · see review

Mar 16, 2015 Julia rated it really liked it

The voyeuristic Rachel is what first intrigued me, as she creates the world outside her own to reflect what she wants most in life. But, she's not the only crazy one.

This book creeped me out and made me sad, which I loved. The point of a book, for me, is to be able to see the world from someone else's perspective, despite how distorted the world may be portrayed. I read this book incredibly quickly and loved how the chapters alternated between Rachel, Anna, and Megan.

The string that connects all ...more

Like · see review

May 28, 2015 Angela rated it liked it

Shelves: 2015-reading-list

Talk about a book that collapsed in the last twenty pages. Three carefully crafted characters dissolved to predictable tropes.

Like · see review

Jan 07, 2015 Lynnek rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2015

This book has been compared to Gone Girl and I definitely get that comparison. Early on it was true foe me because, like Gone Girl, I didn't really care for the main character. She was a mess! But I really enjoyed the story and trying to figure out first what was done and then who did it. ...more

Like · see review

Apr 15, 2015 Erin rated it it was amazing

Amazing. Could not put it down.

Like · see review

Apr 06, 2015 Lena rated it it was ok

Not riveting at all.

Like · see review

Feb 02, 2015 Sarah rated it really liked it

A great summer read, similar to Gone Girl, this was the "A Book Published in 2015" book on my 2015 Reading Challenge. I can see why this book is a best-seller, I can see why people like it, and I'd read her books in the future. ...more

Like · see review