Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - The Girl on the Train

Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

137 reviews

tahnnn's review

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

easy, enjoyable read though a predictable plot twist and the end felt quite boring and dragged out.

not a single likeable character with little to no development, it was impossible to root for anyone (except maybe the train itself).

probably one of the best openings to a book i’ve seen, had me hooked instantly but was 100% a let down at the end.

Content Warnings

betag1013's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

clusterofpetals's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

This is the Swedish translation of The girl on the train. I’ve never watched the movie but decided to read the book. At first it was a little bit slow for me but after a few chapters I couldn’t stop reading.
At times I question the way the author wrote the female lead, Rachel, cause I was cringing and there were so many times where I couldn’t help but thinking “Girl, no! What were you thinking?”
The author really made me question everything Rachel has done but this is also precisely why I like the book, cause I believe this is quite realistic. The way the abuser always seems to be able to manipulate people and making the actual victim seems crazy. And I fell for it, I fell for the abuser’s scheme and I gave Rachel a side eye.

Content Warnings

corriejn's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.25

Not my most typical fare, but I found it very engaging. Decidedly not a light read, and note the major CW for active alcohol addiction, but I was pretty hooked throughout.

Content Warnings

marissanbullis's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

corinnelora95's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

TWs for this book: alcoholism, emotional abuse, physical abuse, infidelity, murder,

infant death

, manipulation

Much like a train, this book took a long time to get up to speed. The first 60% moved slowly, making me wonder if it really was a thriller. Once it did pick up, it gave me a very panicky feeling. I had to keep reading just to be done with the book, not because I felt the thrill enjoyable. The "saving grace" was that I didn't see the twist coming.

Here are the top three things I disliked while reading this book, though there were many others:

1) I disliked that the author resorted to the "alcoholic female" trope. It was frustrating to read over and over that Rachel would back slide and feel little remorse.

2) I disliked the descriptions of abuse. They were written in a way that made me feel panicked and afraid for my life. The fight or flight response was real.

3) I disliked the scene where Megan recalls the death of her infant. It again was written in a way that made me feel panicked.

If you enjoy thrillers that make you feel panicked and leave you on the brink of an anxiety attack, this book is for you. If you don't like that feeling, leave this one on the shelf.

Content Warnings