For those of us who have read “Gone Girl” by Gillian Flynn, or even watched the movie, we understand that there is something innately sinister about the book that captivated our attention. The infamous Nick and Amy take the term toxic relationship much further than our comfort level, and yet we sop up every last word. Because there are only so many times you can read a book before the thrill wears off and its most exciting scenes become monotonous, we are constantly looking for the next page-turner. Thus, I bring to you “The Girl on the Train.”
Written by journalist Paula Hawkins, “The Girl on the Train” was published on January 13, 2015, approximately eight months after the release of “Gone Girl.” Much like “Gone Girl,” there are no demons or supernatural forces necessary to creep us out — human nature does the trick just fine.
This novel follows Rachel Watson, a recovering alcoholic trying to put her life back together after the loss of her job and the divorce with her husband. On her daily train commute, she admires Megan and Scott, the perfect couple, as they sit on their balcony and blissfully enjoy each other’s company.
However, on a seemingly average morning, Rachel witnesses an unsettling event on Megan and Scott’s deck, only to discover that Megan went missing shortly after. As the mystery kicks into high gear, Rachel finds herself more and more integral to the investigation and Megan’s potential fate.
With missing persons, troubled marriages and well-hidden secrets, it is no surprise that “The Girl on the Train” is considered the next “Gone Girl.” However, despite their mounting similarities, “The Girl on the Train” takes you to a world of its own. Hawkins’ prose is psychologically compelling and simply human. The characters are ordinary, relatable people who find their morals tested in inexplicable circumstances.
If you want to spend your weekend curled up in bed, drinking coffee and pulling all-nighters because you must know how the book ends, or if you just want to read the book before the movie release in 2016, make sure you pick up a copy of “The Girl on the Train." However, I warn you — much like you are told not to judge a book by its cover, keep in mind that perfect marriages are also not always what they seem.