Scan barcode
A review by corinnelora95
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
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.
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.
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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Murder, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Stalking, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Child death, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Vomit
Moderate: Sexual assault, Xenophobia, Sexual violence, Grief, and Blood
Minor: Abortion