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?
Why did I read The Girl on the Train?
It's the holiday season, and I have a billion things to do. A billion things that would be so much better with an audiobook in my ear. I happened to have The Girl on the Train on my Overdrive so I went with it.
The Strengths
What a perfect audiobook for someone as distracted as me right now! This is one of those Gone Girl type of compulsive reads. I was glued to this book. Like Gone Girl, the people in The Girl on the Train are truly awful - all of them, but I couldn't look away.
The Weaknesses
I was confused at first. The POV switches between three different women. These women are all married to and/or seeing different men and then "the girl on the train" also has nicknames for some of them. It took me a while to figure out who was who. Once I got the cast of characters down, though, they were rock solid. Even though they were all unreliable, it became very easy to follow.
Would I recommend The Girl on the Train to others?
I would! In a weird, weird way I want to be able to say I hated this book. The characters were so unlikeable and there were some underlying messages I didn't care for, but I can't deny not being able to put this one down. If you enjoy the Gone Girl type of compulsive read, I definitely recommend giving The Girl on the Train a go.
7/10: Recommended Read
I agree, I find myself enjoying these books with despicable characters more and more of late. I despise them but yet I cannot stop reading about them :)
ReplyDeleteThat's what I keep hearing about this book: no one likes any of the characters, but they can't seem to stop reading. That's why this book is on my list to read this year...if I don't put it off again like I did last year. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, I kinda felt the same way about this one. The characters were truly awful and I didn't even find the mystery all that mysterious but it was definitely a compulsive read.
ReplyDeleteYeah everyone was pretty unlikable here but it did have that can't look away quality! Glad you enjoyed it!!
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ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts. :-) I haven't been pulled into wanting to read this yet. Maybe I can resist. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI also adored this on audio! My friend was kinda meh about it and I was like, "BUT did you read it or listen..." She read. I have yet to convinced her to re-listen. haha
ReplyDeleteI felt the same way about this one. Now I need to see the movie!
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