The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins ~ Fiction Book Review

This book was hyped as the next Gone Girl. Let me begin by saying that it’s not, and if read with those expectations, it’s going to be a disappointment. I had to readjust my approach and read this book with no assumptions in mind. After that, I enjoyed it. (I suspect that most authors cringe when their book is compared to another. Every reader wants to recreate the feeling of reading a book they love. But unless it’s the same book, it’s going to disappoint. Read each book as the unique creation that it is 🙂 )

This is a good book. It’s suspenseful and well-written, with well developed characters, a strong plot and some twists and turns along the way. But does it have that big jaw-dropping moment where you look at the book in your hand with amazement and say, “Wow. Didn’t see that coming?” Not really. I think the comparisons to Gone Girl stem from Hawkins’ superb grip on the psychology of her characters.

Don’t get me wrong, the book isn’t predictable, it’s just plausible. There are certain directions that the plot can go, and it goes one of them. There may be a little blindsiding, but I did suspect what ended up happening rather early in the book – although I usually do. That said, the book is enjoyable. It’s a quick, fun read. I liked it. And, considering that it’s a debut novel, bravo! 4.5 stars.