Review: The Girl On The Train

Lady Midnight
Mar 18, 2017
2 min read

Today I will be reviewing the book The Girl On The Train by Paula Hawkins. I was recommended this book several times by several different friends. And with that, LETS DIVE IN!

THIS REVIEW IS SPOILER FREE!!!

This book is your classic mystery. Woman goes missing and it's a classic "who-done-it"! Except that the narration is split between three different women, Rachel, Megan, and Anna. Rachel, our main character is a divorced alcoholic that is unemployed and struggling to find control of her life. Anna is the mistress that Rachel's husband left her for, and is all too glad to rub it in Rachel's face, especially when holding her new baby Evie. Megan is the woman that is missing, having disappeared one Saturday night.

This book was so thrilling and confusing - especially since it is a first person narrative and the unreliable narrator is very clear in this novel. It intensifies the mystery of the book and leaves you on the edge of your seat until the last moment.

Overall, I would give this book a 4.5/5 stars.

So here is how I got my rating:

I give reviews based on five separate categories: plot, characters, description, pace, and extras. Each point earns a total of 1 star - which is what gives my five star rating.

Plot: 1/1 stars. This is not your average mystery novel. The switching narrations. The different perspectives. The time jumping. It all creates the perfect environment for a successful novel.

Characters: 0.7/1 stars. The characters are great in that they are realistic with wants and needs and flaws. The narrators were very ... annoying. Rachel is a pathetic alcoholic we feel sorry for, Anna is annoying and we all want to smack her, and Megan is so despicable to me. I had to knock a few points off for their personalities (even if they were done quite well).

Description: 0.8/1 stars. Since the narrative is completely first person, so is the description. There is hardly any "showing" in this novel, it's mostly "telling" which was great when creating bias but awful when you just want a clear description of what is going on!

Pace: 1/1 stars. A good mystery novel needs good pace - which this book has. It was very good.

Extras: 1/1 stars. This book had an amazing ending. It deserves the extra point.

I really loved this book and I'm so glad I gave in to peer pressure and read this book!

If you liked this review, or didn't, please feel free to let us know in the comments below! Or you can message us on Instagram or Twitter @ ladyandstar!

HAPPY READING!!!