The Girl on the Train: Read the book, don’t bother with the movie

      Comments Off on The Girl on the Train: Read the book, don’t bother with the movie

I read The Girl on the Train in one day.

Well, more or less. I read about 20 pages one day before putting it aside. I picked it back up a few days later and couldn’t put it down; I was finished in a matter of hours. Yes, I’ve always been a fast reader but I never would have predicted I’d get through it (or any book) that quickly.

It’s been several months since I read it so I don’t remember all my thoughts from back then but I do remember being drawn in early on. It usually takes me somewhere between 75 to 100 pages in (at least) to determine my level of interest in a book. I don’t remember how far in I got with this but I know it was well before that.

The transition between the three alternating points of view with each chapter is seamless, which isn’t easy considering the requirement of full-on flashback chapters for the character who goes missing. But Paula Hawkins makes it work so well.

Hawkins also nailed the various revelations throughout the book, whether it was about a character’s history or the ending when you find out who is behind the character’s disappearance. I did not see that twist at the end coming. I want to say more about it but I don’t want to hint at or spoil anything for those who haven’t read it yet.

I’m not a big mystery or whodunit reader but I really enjoyed this one.

The movie version, not even close.

Usually, when a best-selling novel is adapted into a film, you hear about it. I don’t remember hearing anything about The Girl on the Train. I probably should have taken that as a hint before deciding to watch.

Adapting a good book into a movie while maintaining the book’s quality isn’t easy given time constraints but it’s been done. Character development was lacking, among other things, and the script doesn’t pull you in the way the book does. Some might argue that the alternating viewpoints in the book hinders a screenplay adaption but not if it’s done well. Case in point: The Help.

The Girl on the Train is worth adding to your reading list. If you decide to watch the movie, don’t expect too much.