The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Synopsis
Day after day, Rachel passes the same landscape and houses while riding the commuter train. As the train stops at a signal in front of a particular house each day, she often observes the couple outside the house and imagines what their life is like. However,what she observes one day as the train passes the house sets in motion what happens next. The reader witnesses how the lives of the main characters cross paths, similar to the paths of the trains.
The Girl on the Train, is a fast paced psychological thriller. The story is alternately told from the perspective of different characters at different time periods. The reader, assuming to be aware of each characters' shortcomings, and inner struggles, is nonetheless not privy to the whole story. Nothing prepares the reader for the eventual sequence of events that unfolds and just as Rachel learns that appearances are often very different from reality, so the reader learns that all is not as it first appears. Long after the last page is read, the reader will be reanalyzing the details of the plot.
Elements of a Thriller
Complex plot
Because the story is related by more than one character, the plot automatically becomes more complex and the plot becomes subject to its characters viewpoints and circumstances.
Characterization
Hawkins describes the characters in such a way that initially the reader may come to the conclusion that a particular character is either 'good' or 'bad.' Nothing can be farther from the truth as is later revealed.
Tone is dark and gritty
Hawkins' literary style causes the reader to feel the suspense. The language is certainly not light or flowery. At certain points in the story, it is difficult not to have the urge to warn the character of possible danger. A feeling of foreboding is felt at different points in the book.
Fast-paced
The action is fast paced and often on more than one front.
Read-alikes
- The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
- Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
- What She Knew by Gilly MacMillan
- The Book of You by Claire Kendal
Great job on your annotation! I like how you draw a picture of what sets everything in motion, then leave the reader curious to find out what happens in the rest of the book. This book has been extremely popular at my library for several months.
ReplyDeleteGreat job on your annotation! I like how you draw a picture of what sets everything in motion, then leave the reader curious to find out what happens in the rest of the book. This book has been extremely popular at my library for several months.
ReplyDeleteGreat read-a-likes, Jane! I like how you tied the elements of the book together so well with what is expected out of a thriller.
ReplyDeleteGreat annotation. I also felt that a dominant trait of the book was its tone - that's really what stuck with me after I read it. You definitely feel it as you read on! I think describing the characters as having "shortcomings" is a perfect term for it. While you sometimes don't know if you can believe what one or the one is stating in her narration, you still do largely have to trust what she says because you, as the reader, don't know much more than the characters do! I really enjoyed the alternating points of view - that kept me hooked and it was an interesting way to reveal the truth little by little. I agree that she did a good job at keeping you guessing at whether a character was "good" or "bad."
ReplyDeleteBy the way - I should mention that I also annotated this book.
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ReplyDeleteI agree with you about the tone Erika. My oldest daughter and I read it at the same time quite by accident, and afterwards we both agreed that it resonated with you long after it was read. You make a good point about not knowing much more than the characters. I felt in the dark through much of the book.
ReplyDeleteGood Annotation. I like how you went in depth about the characteristics of a thriller. I still have not read this book but but it is definitely near the top of my "to read list".
ReplyDeleteFull points! Excellent annotation! You did a great job outlining the elements that make this book part of the genre!
ReplyDeleteFull points! Excellent annotation! You did a great job outlining the elements that make this book part of the genre!
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