My Book Review > The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins

I read ‘The Girl on the Train’ in one go, during the flight from Vancouver to London UK (via Toronto). I’m usually not fond of thrillers, but the tautly plotted storyline kept my attention throughout. The atmosphere is gloomy, but not excessively; and this is what makes the story believable and realistic.

What makes this book quite original, I think, is that we follow 3 different character who speak in the first person so that we can compare their personal insight. It’s a very effective and fascinating narrative technique which help to better understand the perception of each of the three main female characters. It enriches the story, highlighting differences in perception.

However, what struck me the most was the accurate illustration of the destructive power of alcohol, this evil scourge which gnawed at Rachel. Torn between her love for her ex and the obsessive need to fill in the blanks left in her brain by excessive and irresponsible alcohol use, she’s seen as an unreliable witness, a drunk, a poor silly woman. But she’s a nice, a beautiful person… and since she is convinced that Scott didn’t kill his wife, Megan, she will do her best to help him, taking all the risks…

It's also a book which says how hard it is to be a woman.

Yes! ‘The Girl on the Train’ is definitely a must-read!