The Girl on the Train - A Novel by Paula Hawkins

I accidentally purchased this. I really didn't want to read ABOUT the book, "The Girl on the Train", I wanted to read the book itself. I was lured in by the low price, not paying attention to the details. Very disappointing.

I ordered this version of the novel by mistake. I just read the title and author on the front. I didn't see, in smaller letters, "Summary & Analysis." I thought what I was buying was the regular novel; I thought, "What a great price!" When I found out what I had done, I wished that I could somehow get my money back for this book, but I suppose that I cannot. But I did order the regular novel of the same name, written by the same author, shortly afterwards, and I'm sure I'll be pleased with it. And it was still a bargain, at least compared to the hard cover version that I saw for sale in a store.

Caution!!! This is NOT "The Girl on the Train" a novel by author Paula Hawkins, despite the description that says that's what it is. It appears to be some kind of book club or cliff notes summary. Don't be fooled. I bought this first, then realized it's not actually the book itself and had to go back and by the book. Most annoying.

The book, on the other hand, I am quite enjoying so far.

I bought it mistakenly thinking it was the full length book. My fault, but felt like I had been hoodwinked. Don't see the need for a "summary and analysis" for any novel -- why would anyone buy the novel after reading the summary and analysis? (a FREE short description of the book is great). I'm not at all happy and it will probably be quite a while before I buy another book for my kindle on the store!

After one of my other book clubs began using summary and analysis guides along with their books- I recommended the same thing be done with my other two book clubs I am in (call me a hardcore bookie- I love reading). Anyways, at the time one of my book clubs was reading "The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins". We picked up this guide with us throughout our entire time reading the book, and as with other guides in the past- I really feel that this accentuated our discussion.

"The Girl on the Train" is a very moving story with a lot of plot twists and character development. Keeping track of all of the changes amidst the story- and being able to discuss them in an organized manner during a book club meeting can be tough. Unless you have someone sitting down and taking specific notes while they're reading, you're inevitably going to miss out on talking over and important part. That's where this guide comes in handy. It breaks down the book for you and offers up a clear and concise plot summary that reminds you of key happenings throughout the book. Both the setting and events of the book are much easier to acknowledge and follow when you have a guide reminding you of what you've read. This guide is also interesting in the fact that it analyzes a lot of the book.

Not only is it a summary of what you've read, it's a thought-provoking piece that motivates you to look even deeper into the story. It takes the time to look into possible themes and symbols that you may have missed. It truly does decipher the book for you and force you to delve deeper into the story than you would have had you read it without the guide.

As a book club, our goal is obviously to look deeply into the story and come up with discussion topics based on its storyline and plot. I appreciated the fact that this guide had a list of characters and took the time to truly analyze the main characters. In this particular book there is a lot of character development and talking about the people in the book individually was how we spent a majority of our time in the book club. Using this guide helped, because there was a complete list of all of the characters inside. Without this beside us, I'm sure we would have forgotten to mention someone- or something about that specific person, as we were talking.

Overall, this was a great guide for my book club. I review a lot of book guides here on the store and really do appreciate how much they make my book clubbing experience even better. I definitely recommend this to both individuals and groups looking to get more out of their experience reading "The Girl on the Train".

The Girl On The Train: This came highly recommended. In fact it's a Page Turner. If you like suspense, and this particular genre, mystery with an edge, that darker edge, you will LOVE this. Many do. I walked into this book at The Harvard Coop yesterday. I put it down, this morning. It's one of those books that does hold you riveted. The book is carefully crafted using memory, what we think has happened, what was and what is, mixed with the imaginative, that comes from hurt, loss and need. What happens when you drink and what happens, that is sobering.

I am not sure if this qualifies as in the genre of Stephen King, but it did remind me, of his enormously gifted way of turning a plot, and how to dig a plot, being what is about grave. You can love and hate it at the same time. Because of that EDGE.

So I leave it to you.

Yet another top-quality Book*sense novel analysis—this time of “The Girl on The Train” by Paula Hawkins. The original novel focuses on Rachel Watson, a woman who has spent the past couple of years battling depression and alcohol addiction as a result of her husband leaving her for another woman. She now spends her time riding the passenger train to and from London after being fired from her job. As the train makes its daily pass through her old neighborhood, she visually latches onto a seemingly perfect couple and begins to fantasize about them—from creating a fictional past to imagining their daily lives in order to escape from her own unsatisfying life. But suddenly things take a turn.

This companion and summary addresses each chapter in full, yet succinct detail, as well as a solid book review. Also included are setting analysis, key character details, themes, and symbols.There are also story elements that might have been overlooked while reading the original novel. This complex story is yet another example that a seemingly perfect surface can have an ugly and dark underside.

If you enjoyed the original novel, I would definitely recommend this companion guide.

What a nice little surprise this book was! I downloaded it because it was on sale and the description sounded interesting. Wasn't expecting much but, wow... what a bargain! Intricate and suspenseful plotting along with great character development made this a literal page-turner for me. I read it in 2 days because I couldn't put it down. I won't give away any of the plot here but suffice it to say that if Hitchcock was still alive I think he would jump at the movie rights to this book. Will definitely be waiting for more from this author.

My little cousin chose to base her assignment on "The Girl on the Train" written by Paula Hawkins, she had some trouble understanding the book and like most teenagers she also left it to the last minute.I am a big fan of these summary and analysis books by BOOK*SENSE and to my luck there was one on Paula Hawkins book, I instantly snapped it up and both my cousin and I read through it.
This book has a clear concise description of all the personalities in the novel and a chapter to chapter summary of all of the events that also unfold, there are also plot and story line specific descriptions. We both enjoyed reading the book and had in depth discussions about what we had read and the best news is that my little cousin received top marks on her essay.

This is Paula Hawkins debut amnesia thriller (which seems to be in fashion nowadays). Rachael Watson a young girl who is undergoing bouts of depression travels aimlessly to London on a train (pretending to go to work) despite been rendered jobless, moreover her husband had disbanded her for another women. She is unable to remember much except for some flashes on the night when a young women goes missing near her home. This story is full of suspense, thrill and murder, interesting plot with lots of twists and turns. Other characters are Megan and Anna, between an alcoholic, a liar and a cheat …whom can you trust? This summary includes book reviews, character detail and analysis, themes etc. The chapter to chapter summary is helpful understanding the real stuff. This made it easier for me to understand the story better and I was not lost in the plot. Another commendable work by Book*sense.

I have a hard time understanding books on the first read through, not all books, but quite a number of them. Because I am so busy, I can't always read through a second time and fully enjoy the book. This is why I LOVE these summary and analysis books. I have a better understanding of The Girl on the Train and actually put a few pieces together on some key points I missed.

I went from liking this book to loving it! If you are like me and don't have time for a second read through or you feel you missed parts of the story, get this book. I am going to recommend it to a friend who adores this book. She has actually read it 4 times! I want to see her take on this summary book because I found it to really bring the story to its strengths for a casual reader, such as myself.

Paula Hawking Girl on the Train is an fantastic psychological thriller that was hard to put down. The main character Rachel is a relatable, ordinary citizen. She seems to be lost in the monotony of her routine. Then something shocking happens and the ride begins.

This companion was a fabulous addition to my library. When I read a thriller like Girl on the Train it's hard to stop and consider all the angles and underlying themes. This guide reviewed parts of the book that I had missed.

I'd absolutely suggest that anyone who enjoyed the novel read this companion. My experience with the story was enhanced by this book and I now hope the author writes more.