The Girl On The Train - Book Review

The Girl On The Train - Paula Hawkins

Rachel Watson, the girl on the train, a desperate alcoholic who, even after 2 years, is struggling to accept that her marriage to Tom is over. With no money, no job and no self worth, every day she takes the same train journey, watches the same people and imagines their perfect lives. With each journey she passes 23 Blenheim Road, the house where she and Tom used to live before her marriage fell apart and her life broke with it. A few doors down in number 15, lives Jess and Jason: a beautiful couple who, from a distance, Rachel perceives to have the perfect life. 

Megan Hipwell, who Rachel imagines as Jess, has a life that is far from perfect. She spends her days grieving for the loss of her job as an artist, for her dead brother and for the part of her past that no one else knows about and she can't even admit to herself. Her husband Scott is desperate for a baby while Megan struggles with her grief and begins to see a therapist, Dr Abdic. As always, Megan gets too involved and soon her actions lead to serious consequences, not only for her but everyone around her.  

Anna Watson, Tom's mistress and new wife, a doting mother to Evie. Anna loathes Rachel, who can't seem to just let Tom move on with her constant phone calls and hanging around their house. She lives in the house Tom and Rachel previously shared, until Rachel's drinking got too much and he kicked her out, promptly moving in his girlfriend Anna only 2 days later. They had a baby girl together, which although she loves her daughter to pieces, is hard for Anna who now has motherhood as her full time job. Part of her - though she would never admit it - envies Tom who gets to leave for work every day. Tom recommends Megan (their neighbour) to be nanny. However after only a few days, Megan quits. 

On 13th of July, Megan goes missing after an argument with her husband. The next morning, Rachel wakes up after a night of heavy drinking, with cuts on her face and a black hole where her memory should be. What exactly happened that night? Where did Megan disappear to? Will Rachel remember? 

The Girl on the Train is unputdownable. With each page comes a new twist that leaves you desperate to read on. Although each narrator has their flaws, you sympathise with them. 

The book then reaches an exciting climax as one by one, the pieces begin to slot together. Rounded off perfectly with a chilling twist at the end, The Girl on the Train is one of the best thrillers out there. 

★★★★☆  4/5 stars.

I can't say much else without giving away the whole plot, but I thoroughly enjoyed this book - although perhaps it's not for the light-hearted! Will definitely be reading again.

♡