The Girl on the Train: A Novel by Paula Hawkins | Summary & Analysis

Paula Hawkins’ debut novel is a suspenseful thriller filled with a complex plot, shocking twists at every turn, and an ending that will both stun and leave the reader wanting more. Rachel Watson is a depressed drunk who resorts to living vicariously through others in order to avoid thinking about her own miserable life. Suspense, intrigue, drama, and murder, all entangled together into one giant knot that is begging to be unraveled. Hawkins expertly writes this gripping tale with detailed intricacies that keeps the reader guessing throughout. The pieces of the puzzle come together at the right time leaving no question left unanswered.

Hawkins’ novel relates the story of Rachel Watson has spent the last few years stumbling through life in a booze-filled depression ever since her husband left her for another woman. Now she wiles away her days riding the commuter train to and from London, despite having been fired from her job months ago. The train makes a daily stop by her old neighborhood and it is here she spies a couple appearing to be living a perfect life from a beautiful home. She begins to fantasize about the couple, inventing little lives and backstories for them to keep her mind off her own troubles. But that fantasy shatters when she witnesses ‘Jess’ kissing another man. And the following day, when ‘Jess’ disappears, Rachel begins to wonder if she might be the only one with information that could help find her. It contains an intricate plot that thrills with a suspenseful murder mystery sure to captivate all audiences.

This companion also includes the following:
• Book Review
• Story Setting Analysis
• Story elements you may have missed as we decipher the novel
• Details of Characters & Key Character Analysis
• Summary of the text, with some analytical comments interspersed
• Discussion & Analysis of Themes, Symbols…
• And Much More!

This Analysis fills the gap, making you understand more while enhancing your reading experience.