Book Review: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Main Genre: Mystery

I knew this book was quite popular, but I never got around to reading it until now. Honestly, I thought the book wouldn't live up to its hype and I also read reviews on both sides of the spectrum, so I wasn't sure what to expect. But, safe to say, I was pleasantly surprised to have loved this book. It was twisty and unexpected but not confusing at the same time.

Read on for more details.

Synopsis: Rachel catches the same commuter train every morning. She knows it will wait at the same signal each time, overlooking a row of back gardens. She’s even started to feel like she knows the people who live in one of the houses. “Jess and Jason,” she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. If only Rachel could be that happy. And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Now Rachel has a chance to become a part of the lives she’s only watched from afar. Now they’ll see; she’s much more than just the girl on the train…

“I have never understood how people can blithely disregard the damage they do by following their hearts.”

Rachel is an alcoholic whose life is a mess after she separated from her husband who cheated on her with another woman named Anna. She lives with her friend and catches the same exact train every day. She sees these two people every time who she calls “Jess and Jason” who live near her ex-husband’s and his new wife’s house. They look happy and in love, the perfect ideal couple. Rachel wishes she was that happy, had that perfect life. Though, things are not as they seem because one day she sees “Jess” kissing another man who isn't “Jason”. Rachel can't believe why “Jess” would betray “Jason” like that. A day or two later, “Jess” goes missing. Eventually, the police start to think she’s been murdered, but by who? 

Rachel’s drinking problem is bad, oftentimes she gets really drunk and does things she regrets. Like calling her ex-husband, Tom, who she still loves. She forgets a lot of what happened during the nights she drinks too much. Drinking is her way to escape her problems. When Rachel steps up to give some information about “Jess” having another man, the police are skeptical because of Rachel being an alcoholic. This leads to Rachel directly contacting “Jason” to try and help him as he’s being suspected. But Rachel knows “Jason” would never do that, she knows him, doesn't she? She’s been observing him for a while now. 

“There’s something comforting about the sight of strangers safe at home.”

The book has three perspectives. Though, none of them conflict with each other and aren't confusing. They are all an essential part that makes this book so intriguing. Rachel’s our main character. She gets herself involved in this case because she wants to be an important part of it, she liked the thought of feeling needed I guess you could say. Her character development was great. I loved it so much and I'm so glad it was a part of her story. I feel like her struggle as an alcoholic, trying to stay sober but giving in, was portrayed nicely and I want to say accurately. Though, I don't have enough knowledge about this to say it confidently. The way she fought with herself to not drink when she knew she shouldn't and regretted afterwards made me really feel her struggle. Her friend was really supportive and really tried to help her and pushed her to try to break this habit of hers and dealing with her and what she did when she did drink.  

Also known as “Jess”, Megan’s perspective wasn't in the present. It was her past, revealing secrets and adding more depth into the case. This is what kept me so hooked to the book. More things about Megan would come into the light and I would be looking for clues to see if I could solve the case myself. Megan’s character is unbelievable, like yes, she’s been through quite a bit but the things she does really have no reasonable explanation to them. 

Lastly, we have Anna. Anna is Rachel’s ex-husband’s, Tom’s, new wife. Saying Anna doesn't like Rachel would be a little bit of an understatement. Though her dislike for Rachel makes sense. Her husband’s ex-wife keeps coming around to her house, causing trouble, and repeatedly calls her husband. But Anna, also, isn't the greatest person. Her mindset is very egotistical and self-centered. It may seem her perspective isn't needed, but everything in this book has a significance in some way or another. 

“I have lost control over everything, even the places in my head.”

Let's get into the mystery, the part you’re probably here for. There were so many twists and turns. The author did a great job keeping us on our toes. There were multiple suspects, multiple ways the mystery of Megan’s disappearance could have been played out. Though the way it did was not something I expected. I do think if someone really thought critically about every possible outcome, it is guessable. Though it definitely was not obvious. The way the author didn't make the ending super random but also not something that could be easily figured out was such a great part to this mystery. It seemed like the author put a lot of thought into the plot and mystery because of how everything seemed like it was planned for a specific reason and the way the mystery was unraveled piece by piece was perfect. 

“There’s nothing so painful, so corrosive, as suspicion.”

The pace of the plot was perfect for me. It didn't move too fast that I was left confused, but at the same time it wasn't super slow, and I didn't have any trouble listening (I listened to an audiobook version) to this book continuously for a few hours. Rachel at times was really involved in the mystery, communicating with the police and Scott, but at other times it'd just be Rachel and her thoughts. Still, it wasn't boring because her thoughts were revolving around the case, and I would be puzzling over Megan with Rachel. At the end, things really picked up pace and I actually had to concentrate on everything that was going on so I wouldn't miss anything. 

Overall, this was a great read, and I would recommend mystery-lovers to definitely pick this up. It was a page-turner and kept me wanting to know what really happened because of the multiple possibilities. 

“The holes in your life are permanent. You have to grow around them, like tree roots around concrete; you mould yourself through the gaps.”

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