Book Reviews

‘The best moments in reading are when you come across something - a thought, a feeling, a way of looking at things - which you had thought special and particular to you. And now, here it is, set down by someone else, a person you have never met, someone even who is long dead. And it is as if a hand has come out, and taken yours.’ Alan Bennett

“Many a book is like a key to unknown chambers within the castle of one’s own self.” ― Franz Kafka

Thursday, 13 November 2014

The Girl on the Train - Paula Hawkins



Synopsis from goodreads:


To everyone else in this carriage I must look normal; I’m doing exactly what they do: commuting to work, making appointments, ticking things off lists. 

Just goes to show.

Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and every evening. Every day she passes the same Victorian terraces, stops at the same signal, and sees the same couple, breakfasting on their roof terrace. Jason and Jess seem so happy together. 

Then one day Rachel sees something she shouldn't have seen, and soon after, Jess disappears. Suddenly Rachel is chasing the truth and unable to trust anyone. Not even herself.

Tense, taut, twisty and surprising . . . The Girl on the Train creeps right under your skin and stays there. 


~~~~~

This is my first review on the blog in quite a long time, it feels a bit like starting over again and it's not a very detailed one - I haven't gone over the plot much, I've added the synopsis above instead -  but I did really enjoy the book so thought I would share the brief thoughts I had about it.

The Girl on the Train is Paula Hawkins' debut novel, and it's a cracker of a read. She's delivered one of those stories that you don't want to stop reading until you reach the end, because it becomes so tense and the chain of events and revelations keep you hooked; the fast-paced storytelling reins you in and just doesn't let go. This is a gripping psychological crime thriller, a genuine page-turner of a novel. 

The opening premise is a great idea, and so easy to identify with - how, whilst travelling by train, we might look out of the window and observe the lives of others playing out in those gardens backing on to the tracks, and we imagine what those other lives might be like.

Three young women narrate the story in turn, and each one of them had me questioning what was true, what was really happening, what I could believe; Rachel in particular I thought was very compelling in the way her character was drawn and fleshed out. 

A couple of quibbles with the plot aside, which I can't really mention because they would be spoilers, I found this to be an addictive, twisty read and certainly a cleverly told debut novel which I think will be massively popular with readers when published early in 2015. 


I received an advance review copy of this novel from the amazon vine program and these are my honest thoughts. On there I gave the novel 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

14 comments:

  1. Welcome back Lindsay.

    I like the idea of three narrators, especially as it sounds like they were not all consistent.

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    1. Thanks Brian! Yes it was enjoyable with the three narrators, none of whom were entirely trustworthy.

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  2. Lovely to see you back Lindsay. I've just read and really enjoyed this one too - review to follow soon!
    Anne x

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    1. Thank you Anne. I'm glad you enjoyed this one a lot too. I look forward to reading your review. x

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  3. I enjoy a good psychological thriller--and the best ones are the kind you don't want to put down. I hadn't heard of this book before, but it does sound like something I would like. Thanks for bringing it to my attention, Lindsay!

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    1. Thanks very much for commenting, this was a good unputdownable one.

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  4. I adored this one it's gonna be in my top ten for this year, by the way I think a review this length is perfect its often abou the length I write as somethimes people don't have time to read a lengthy review and this sums it up nicely.

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    1. Glad you enjoyed it too Jan. Thanks very much for commenting, and thanks for your thoughts on the review, much appreciated.

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  5. Hi Lindsay,

    This one is firmly on my 'Want To Read' list already, after all the positive reviews and ratings it has attracted, including your own excellent review.

    It is great to have you back, no matter if your visits are not as frequent as they once were. It will always be good to hear from you.

    Yvonne.

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    1. Hi Yvonne, thanks very much for your lovely comment and kind words, much appreciated. I hope you get the chance to read this one too, and enjoy it.

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  6. Sounds interesting! I love the cover, too.

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  7. Hmmm.... I think I am struggling with the audio, the protagonist is driving me a bit batty :)

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    1. Sorry to hear that Sheila :( I enjoyed the read but not everyone I know has loved it.

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