The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Goodreads blurb: 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?
My Take: 4.5 out of 5 I knew I had to read this book for two main reasons:
- I could not avoid it in social media, its everywhere. From breaking the all time sales records to being the Book To read Now by many outlets
- It has been called it the Next Gone Girl, and I absolutely adored Gone Girl so I had to take a look
First question – is it as better than gone Girl? No. however it is still a fabulous read. Very much like when I read Gone Girl, I think the less you know before reading the better, so first I’m going to give a very short non Spoilery thoughts and then some more details. Three words: Read it now. Its smart, real and full of twists and turns that will make you stay up really late to finish it (I couldn’t put it down one night and read half the book in one go). You will keep thinking about it for a while, and I will not lie, for a bit become a little bit more paranoid about people in General. Also read it now, because you dont want it to be spoilt, if you know the ending the book looses 75% of its charm. There is already rumors circling about of a movie with Emily Blunt and I am already getting excited about it.
*NON SPOILER DETAILS AHEAD* The book is narrated through the life and events of three different but interconnected women. I think what I Love-hated to read was how much I disliked every single character in the book. It was like I was addicted to all the wrong decisions these people made. It is raw and people are flawed and you just want to shout through the book at everyone to stop being so stupid (Especially Rachel, the girl on the train, what an exasperating character). I do think this is what makes it so brilliant, its real and shows the true nature of relationships and people. Also This book totally threw me off my game. Although not as clever in its twists and turns as Gone Girl I totally did not see the end game coming. Half way through the book I thought i had all things figured out, but I was so wrong!!! Oh and for more detailed commentary on the movie : As much as love Emily Blunt, I don’t see her as Rachel yet, however i said the same thing about Renee Zellweger as Bridget Jones (one of my all time favorite books) and i ended up loving her.
Let me know what you think of the book? Is it better, worse, or equal level to Gone Girl?
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