Reviews

Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith

smalefowles's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.75

If you like thrillers, this book is almost unbearably tense. I felt drawn inexorably toward all its awful events, and even if they seemed unlikely when looking back, the book really convinces you that it would unspool that way. Impressive feat, even if I found it honestly unpleasant to experience much of the time.

malaika_72's review against another edition

dark tense medium-paced

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

3.75

varnaya's review against another edition

adventurous dark funny mysterious 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

4.25

aoifer's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

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

4.5

xxmoonlitsky's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.5

alexandrabarker's review

2.0

First of all, it took so long until something interesting started happening, then it was just painful to read as there wasn't anything enjoyable. About a 100 pages is just about the way Guy is feeling depressed (from a 1950's view) and the only thriller part about this book was the last page. Don't even get me started on Bruno's character. However, the writing was good and it might be the only thing that got me through the book.

nancie's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

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

4.0

v4mpirem0ney's review

3.0

Strangers on a Train is unusual as the film adaptation is actually much, much better than the source material.

3/5; was very good up until the last third where it lost footing and never gained it back.

ascrizzimartina's review against another edition

dark inspiring mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

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

4.0

pickpoppies's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

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

3.0

Some great ideas and all but not for me. It was too much internal. Too long. And kind of dull.