The Girl on the Train

Synopsis

Set in one of the towns outside of London, Rachel has lost her job but she still takes the train into the city every day as if she were still working. As she passes one particular house, she makes up a story about the couple who lives there and their idyllic life together. In her mind, this couple is happily married in stark contrast to her own failed marriage.

When Rachel sees something that she thinks is relevant to the disappearance of the wife of the couple she has been watching from the train, she tries to help in the only way she knows how.

Opinion

This is a thriller to the max. Some of the themes dealt with in this book: alcoholism, marital infidelity, domestic violence, and voyeurism. The story is told from 3 points of view: Rachel, Megan, and Anna.

None are particularly likable. Nor can they be trusted because they have warped views of reality.

In Rachel’s case, she is an alcoholic.

“It is as if people can see damage written all over me, can see it on my face.”

Megan and Anna are so self-absorbed and self-serving. They both liked being the center of attention.

“I miss being a mistress…I never felt guilty” – Anna

While I can say that I did not like Rachel, I did feel sorry for her. I think that Rachel inserts herself in the mystery of Megan’s disappearance because she wants to do something positive as if to prove her worth.

“Women are still only valued for 2 things – their looks and their role as mothers.”

 

Unfortunately, she is no Nancy Drew. When stressed, she drinks to dull the pain and ends up feeling worse than before. Oh Rachel! Let’s stay sober and focus!

This was a funny quote from the book –

“How much better life must have been for jealous drunks before email and texts and mobile phones.”

When I thought I figured out who did it, I had to read the last chapter to be sure I had it right. I need to do that for my sanity.

I did have some questions at the end that I thought were not fully explained.

I wish I knew why Anna was the way she was. Also, I would have liked to understand why Rachel was so obsessively in love with Tom.

Overall, I enjoyed Girl on the Train. Other reviewers said this book was similar to Gone Girl. If it has not been for my book club’s choice for the month, I would not have read it. If you liked Gone Girl, but HATED the ending like me, then this book is for you. The writing is similar. It is similar how the characters are portrayed and the emotions they evoke. The ending is way better. You will feel less angry.