ISBN-13: 9780857522313
Publisher: Doubleday
Publication Date: 15 January 2015
Format: Hardcover, 320 pgs
Source: Purchased
Honestly speaking, this book isn't supposed to be on my priority reading list. Well, I do want to read it at some point but the hype and all the glowing reviews I read have made me change my mind.
To avoid spoilers, my thoughts on this book would be vague and the characterisations is about all I could say. The story is told in three perspectives: Rachel, Megan and Anna. Three different women who aren't really happy with their life. Rachel is a divorcee but couldn't seem to get her ex-husband, Tom, out of her mind. She is also an alcoholic. Megan is a married woman who seems blissful in her marriage but she has a secret no one knows. She's also living in an area where Rachel used to live before the divorce, and there's a railway track nearby. Anna is the current wife of Tom. The three women's lives become inexorably intertwined after Rachel found an interesting couple during her regular train rides that would later change all their lives altogether.
After reading The Girl on the Train, I can understand why it is a top seller. It is suspenseful and there is something about unreliable narrators that makes you wonder about their voices and behaviours and whether or not should you believe them. And in most cases they aren't likeable characters, either. Still, I enjoy reading books with such narrators because they are unpredictable and it is always fun to see if my guess is correct in the end.
I know there are mixed reviews on this book, and while I felt it compelling it didn't 'wow' me the way I had wanted it to be. Still, it was a page-turner and I enjoyed reading it. I wasn't surprised that this book has been optioned for film by DreamWorks and I am curious to see how it would turn out with the film adaptation. I would definitely be on a look out for Ms. Hawkins' next release.
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Your experience with this book seems to be about the same as mine. I started it and put it down, picked it up, put it down, etc. It had something that made me want to finish it, but I did not like the characters at all. Wonder how it will play out in a movie.
I'm seeing this title everywhere. I like unreliable narrators, but prefer to like the characters. Right now, I've suddenly found a plethora of books I want to read, so maybe I'll wait a while before exploring this one.
Thanks for the honest review. I like unreliable narrators too. This one sounds interesting.
I'm looking forward to listening to the audio version of this one. I love a good unreliable narrator and the more I hear about this book the more I want to read it.
Kay - I didn't feel connected to the characters, truth be told. There are some moments I felt like shaking these women and tell them to get a life. Still, the author has a way of making us read till the end isn't it. ;)
Jenclair - Yes, this book is everywhere so it's hard not to notice, lol. I wonder what my thoughts would be should I read it after the hype has gone down.
Naida - I like reading about unreliable narrators, even if they are unlikeable. I want to know their reasons behind what they did.
Wendy - I've heard from some bloggers that their experience with the audio version has been a great one, so I hope you'll enjoy this much better than I. Can't wait to hear your thoughts. :)
This book has been on my list, but like you I've been a bit leery of reading it because of all the hype. Thanks for the honest review.
Irene - The hype is a great way to introduce a book, especially a debut but sometimes too much of it might have the opposite effect instead.
I have been hearing SO much about this one! I think I need to seek out some of those more mixed reviews before picking it up. ;) Glad you enjoyed it--even if it didn't blow you away like you expected. I keep hearing this one is the next Gone Girl.
Trish - I can understand why this is being referred to the next Gone Girl; the unreliable narrators and the surprise factor are the only similar things I can see between these two books. I'll be anxious to see what you'll think of this if you do read it. :)
I have to admit that I just skimmed your review as this one is in at the library for me. I will be picking it up Monday after work. I didn't realize that they were already planning a movie based off of it. I am really looking forward to reading it though just because all of the hype as well :)
I've been reading a lot of mixed reviews of this one too. I do want to read it but I think it's one of those I'd prefer to put off until the buzz has sort of died down. I'm glad you did enjoy it though!
Samantha - Yay for the library copy! I knew this book is on the hot list at every libraries so I'm glad you're able to get it quickly! Can't wait to hear what you'll think of it!
Iliana - When I first read the reviews all have been good so that's what prompt me to push this book up on my list. Still, I enjoyed the reading journey despite the ending. I think this will make a good book club discussions. :)
IT is a good read. I fell into the category that did not love it as much, but did appreciate the idea of the book.
Sheila - Me too. I liked the idea and the intensity of this book; just wished that Rachel wasn't too much of a flawed character.
I enjoyed this book, but like you, wasn't particularly wowed. It wasn't like I guessed the ending, but it just wasn't... that "amazing." However, if I picked this up not knowing anything about it at ALL, maybe I would've enjoyed it a bit more.
Random Ramblings
Jillian - I think it's the hype that has raised my expectations. ;) Still, I'm looking forward to the author's next book.