Thanks for participating in our virtual book discussion! This month we’re talking about The Girl on the Train.
Here’s how it works: I’ll throw out a few topics for discussion, and you can write your responses about these topics (or anything else you’d like to say) in the comment section.
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This isn’t the type of book I typically enjoy, but it has been buzzing all over the internet for months, and I finally caved, if only to see what all the hubbub was about. The story follows Rachel, who takes a commuter train each morning and watches a seemingly perfect couple eating breakfast on their deck. Her own life, meanwhile, is a train wreck (sorry for the bad pun!). Then tragedy strikes the couple, and Rachel finds herself deeply entangled in the case.
Discussion #1: The Characters
My struggle with this book was that although the characters were well drawn, I didn’t like any of them. I did feel sorry for Rachel, but mostly I just cringed as she continued to drink and send irretrievable e-mails to Tom and generally dig herself deeper into a pit. And that’s to say nothing of the other characters, who were pretty much all liars and backstabbers.
What about you? Did you find any of the characters likable? What did you think of Rachel as a main character?
Discussion #2: Suspense Factor
Despite not liking the characters, I have to admit that, as Paula Hawkins’s publisher Sarah McGrath says, this is “a very propulsive read.” The mystery unfolds in such a jarring yet compelling way that I had no choice but to keep reading. Rachel’s blackouts add to the suspense, making it difficult to discern what is true, and her unreliable memories and self-doubt leave us questioning what her role really was. I liked the way the author wove in three different narrators to tell the story to heighten the suspense and to force us to piece it all together.
Did the story keep your attention? Do you tend to like suspense as a genre?
Discussion #3: The Role of Women
It’s interesting that this story revolves around several women competing over a man, but in the end, it’s the women who take justice into their hands for a satisfying (if somewhat contrived and gruesome) finale. The author doesn’t delve deeply into gender roles, but she does touch on them, such as when Rachel says, “Let’s be honest: women are still only really valued for two things—their looks and their roles as mothers. I’m not beautiful, and I can’t have kids, so what does that make me? Worthless.”
What did you think of the women portrayed in this book? Were they strong or seriously flawed, or both?
Discussion #4: Rating
I kept hearing this book compared to Gone Girl, and while there were some similarities (like the alternating points of view and an unreliable narrator), I thought Gone Girl pulled off these effects better than The Girl on the Train.
As much as I was sucked in by the suspense of the story, it was painful to read about so much deception, and I’m not sure the payoff was worth it for me. I’d give the book 2 stars (out of five).
How many stars would you give this book?
{Remember, I’ll be giving away a free book to one lucky commenter!}
Totally agree with you on all issues you raised!! Not my favorite at all…
But I do love this suspense style of book- so I keep trying more of them!!
Thanks for weighing in, Kelli! I’ll let you know if I hear of other good suspenseful titles…
I’m really into it, thanks for this great stuff!
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I enjoyed reading the book because of the pacing and suspense. I thought that the author revealed things at the right rate, except that I felt like I was able to guess the murderer too early (there just weren’t enough options to choose from). I didn’t really like any of the characters, but I did find Rachel sympathetic. Much more so than Megan or Anna. Although I felt kind of sorry for both of them too. The worldview of the book was pretty bleak; for most of the time all the women were basically pathetic and the men basically despicable. Although I did get a bit of sense at the end that Rachel and Anna were going to rise above or at least move on from what had happened. But overall, a really interesting read and masterful pacing. A train wreck is a good way to describe it; I couldn’t look away.
I love what you said: “for most of the time all the women were basically pathetic and the men basically despicable.” So true! Thanks for reading. Two for one!
I had the same take on this one you did, Stephanie. I enjoy well-crafted writing and fast-paced suspense, so it kept me turning the pages. The initial premise (which reminded me at the outset of Rear Window) was compelling. I found it not quite as dark as Gone Girl (with a smaller dose of profanity), but none of the characters were sympathetic. Was I glad I invested hours of reading in this one? Nope. It’s not one I will recommend to others. 2. 5 stars at most
Thanks for your insights, Maggie! I was tempted to put it down at points but had to find out what happened!
I liked it although I didn’t like the characters either. The story was pretty implausible too. But I got past both issues and liked the suspense and the gradual reveal of what was really happening. I read it a while ago but I think I gave it 4 or 5 stars on Good Reads. It reminded me more of Turn Of Mind than Gone Girl –Rachel ‘s alcohol induced blackouts reminded me of what the surgeon with early onset Alzheimer’s experienced when she was trying to figure out if she murdered her best friend. Both made for interesting ways to tell a story.
Interesting…I’ll have to check out Turn of Mind! Thanks for the tip, Sara.
To say I really liked this book would not be true except that I liked it. (I know it makes no sense but it is true.) I, too, was almost compelled to read it but not because of the characters themselves, I didn’t like them either, but because of the study of humanity that it was. I think we didn’t like the characters because they were extreme. We do not like to see ourselves “that far out.” But in reality there were glimpses of us in each of the characters. Although there were strong lines drawn between male and female and they were very traditional I do not think it was intended to compare or contrast but to show our tendencies and weaknesses as people. I also compared this book to Gone Girl and I found this one better in the evaluation of the characters but Gone Girl was better in the details of the story and in the suspense. I would give the book a redeeming 3 stars out of 5 because of the compelling nature. I do think that although after I finished it I knew that I should have figured out the outcome I hadn’t until almost the end. Although it wouldn’t be high on my recommendation list I am glad to have read it.
I like what you said about finding glimpses of us in each of the characters. So true!
My mom had asked me if I was going to participate this month a couple weeks into August. I told her I was interested in the book, but there was no way I would be able to finish in time. With a new baby, starting back at work, and most likely having to wait on a list at the library, I bailed on it before I even started. Then I saw the kindle version for $2 on Amazon and I decided to see what happened. I finished it in 5 days. I couldn’t put it down. It was a train wreck for sure; I simply could not look away. I didnt particularly like any of the characters, but I felt sorry for all of them and wanted them to make better choices. I was kind of mad I didn’t figure out the end sooner. I agree with my moms comment about the extremeness of the characters. I think the women were both strong and flawed. But really … aren’t we all? 3 out of 5.
I’m so glad you had a chance to read it! And what a great insight: I think the women were both strong and flaws. But really…aren’t we all?” Well put.
Coming a bit late to the discussion, but I agree with a lot of what’s been said. I was amazed at how fast I tore through this book. For about the first half, I couldn’t put it down. After that, it became too easy to see the answers coming, but I was far enough into it that I wanted to see how it resolved. That might not have been the case if it hadn’t read so quickly, though; the story’s world was so bleak and the characters so tough to handle that I wanted to spend as little time with them as possible. I felt sorry for Rachel, and thought the author drew her frighteningly well, but was less convinced by anyone else in the book – they seemed more like types than actual people. Can I split my rating into categories? I’d give the book four stars for a really good premise, a nuanced main character, and the “propulsive” writing, and two stars for the other characters and the way the mystery ultimately unfolds – I think the author could’ve come up with some more creative answers or twists. But I’m glad to have read this! Now I at least know what everyone’s talking about. 🙂
I love the way you describe Rachel: that you felt sorry for her but that the author “drew her frighteningly well.” So true! I know INFJs don’t like to be boxed in, so you can have as many rating systems as you want. 🙂
My brother recommended and loaned me this book and though I’d never before read a thriller, I gave it a whirl and I loved it, probably because it’s so completely different from my usual read, which is much slower paced with more focus on the journey. This book was all about the destination and I couldn’t wait to get there. I did nothing but read for a day and a half. As other readers have mentioned, you want to give Rachael a kick in the behind, but her desperation and inability to make logical decisions are what keep the story moving and it only took a few pages before I accepted her character flaws as inevitable and necessary. Her lack of judgement was part of the fun.
I do wish the characters weren’t so firmly entrenched in their traditional maleness or femaleness. The men were the ultra-strong both physically and emotionally and the women were weak or manipulative and for the most part unemployed. That was kind of disappointing in a 21st century story.
One thing I found curious is that many reviews mentioned that there was a twist at the end and I’m really not sure what that was. Like other readers, I guessed fairly early on who the murderer was and kept waiting for a revelation that would incriminate someone else. Of course it never came. I’m going to give this book 4 stars simply because it was so enjoyable to read.