#bookreview: The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins

YOU DON’T KNOW HER

BUT SHE KNOWS YOU

Ok, I admit, I must be one of the only people who had no idea what this book was about. I chose to avoid the blurb and hype, as sometimes, it can predetermine one’s view of a book. I’m so glad that I did!!

The Girl On The Train is the global bestseller from writer Paula Hawkins, Published by Transworld, the book was released in 2015 to great acclaim. With the movie on the way, I felt it was high time I dusted down my copy and read it.

Here is my, as ever, unbiased review. Please feel free to share your thoughts if you have read it already and if not…pick it up and turn those pages!!

‘EVERY DAY THE SAME
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. 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.

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. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?’ (via Goodreads)

Rachel Watson is a character that I had varied emotions for. Married to Tom, her world falls apart, when unable to have a child, she turns to drink to help her through. Inevitably, her drinking gets out of control, her marriage falls apart and she moves into a flat with a friend.

Every day, Rachel gets the same train into London and back. Her route becomes so familiar to her, that each landmark means something. She sees individuals going about their daily lives in the houses she passes, eventually giving them names and backstories from the far reaches of her imagination.

With her Gin & Tonic pulled surreptitiously out of her bag, Rachel’s mind often wanders, as she dreams of a life once lived. What she sees out the window of the train is the lives of people that seem so perfect and so removed from the life she now lives.

‘Some days I feel so bad that I have to drink; some days i feel so bad that I can’t. Today, the thought of alcohol turns my stomach. But sobriety on the evening train is a challenge.’

One day, everything changes.

Rachel witnesses an event that causes her to sit up and take notice. Without too much hesitation, Rachel gets herself involved. She sees it as an exciting alternative to the life she is currently living.  Along the way, Rachel discovers secrets and lots of them. The truth as she knew it is blurred because of her drinking. Her ability to stand over anything she has witnessed is proving difficult.

Rachel is not the only female character is this book but she certainly is the central one. One has to feel sorry for her as she seems to be living in a downward spiral of depression and violence. Her life has gotten completely out of control. as has her drinking.

We are introduced to Anne, the wife of Rachel’s ex Tom. Anne is a woman protecting her nest and Rachel’s constant presence in their lives is causing Anne quite some distress. Anne is prepared to fight for what she has but will she be able to survive and safeguard her family from the threat that is facing them?

Megan, a neighbour of Anne, is the other female in the novel. Megan has her own story to tell. Her past is a secret that she would rather keep to herself…but will she be able to? Has she covered her tracks well enough?

The Girl In The Train is a thriller.

It is a very captivating read that will keep you turning the pages. Every chapter opens up a new development enticing you to read more. All the main characters in the novel are quite difficult to warm to. They all have certain toxic individual traits that prevent the reader from forming any attraction to them.

Paula Hawkins has written a very compelling, addictive read. I for one will definitely be going to see the movie and am delighted to have read the book before hand.

Please pick up a copy, if like me you have yet to read it and let me know your thoughts.

Thanks for dropping by!!

M xx

Meet Paula Hawkins:

Born and brought up in Zimbabwe, Paula Hawkins moved to London in 1989 and has lived there ever since.

Paula Hawkins worked as a journalist for fifteen years before turning her hand to fiction. 

The Girl On The Train is her first thriller.

It is being published all over the world, a global bestseller, with a movie due for release later in 2016