The Girl on the Train question

noooo, me too.
i just don't understand the hype over this book!!!!

it was mediocre minus!

I don't necessarily think characters need to be likeable, however for the novel to be enjoyable one must empathise on some level with the characters likeable or not, and that did not happen for me when reading this.

The book didn't do much for me either.
It was alright, I guess. I got through it, but that's because it was such an easy read. It was very predictable. 50-ish pages in, I could tell how it would end. The journey too for that matter. No surprises. No (unpredictable) twists. Just flat characters, as E. M. Forster would say. Some characters were plain unnecessary. The didn't do anything for the story or the depth of the story.

I gave it 3 stars. That means it was ok. Nothing more. Nothing less. I guess it was entertaining enough. Kind of like an old action comedy from the 90s. Sometimes that's just what I need; to switch off my brain.

Not just you. Hawkins failed to make anyone likable, unfortunately. I think her goal was to make Rachel the likable character--we were supposed to pity her--but it was a miss.

I don't think it is necessary for book characters to be likeable. However, this book disappointed me as a thriller with one dimensional characters. They are not deep, and there is no exploration on human's nature or flaws. Where many thrillers and crime books would usually work on building the plot and the people involved in it.

I read this book a couple of months ago when our book club chose it. I actually went into it expecting to hate it (I find books that get a lot of hype usually aren't my thing) so it ended up exceeding my expectations.
I definitely agree with everyones thoughts on likability of characters - I didn't like any of them either but although it makes a book easier to read when you find a connection with at least one character it's not a requirement.
Surprisingly I really enjoyed how the story flipped between characters. Normally, that alone would turn me off the book but Hawkins seemed to use this technique without it feeling awkward.

I started out feeling bad for Rachel, but as the character grew all I wanted to do was punch some sense into her. She had the opportunity to become a strong female lead, but instead remained desperate and attached to the guy who CLEARLY didn't want her. It might just be me, but I get empowered by women who don't need and man to get through life. While the story was suspenseful and pretty fast paced, the main character was a big drawback for me. Maybe watching Emily Blunt in the movie version will make it better? I don't know.

I read this book out of curiosity because everyone was talking wonders about it but I didn't like it! I found all the characters quite disgusting and not just Rachel, but all of them.....Maybe that's what the writer was trying to do, to show a part of society we may not like to look at but I still can't understand what made the novel such a best-seller.... I agree with Erin, you really feel like punching Rachel to see if she comes to her senses..... I found the characters shallow and the intrigue quite predictable..... I still have to watch the film adaptation.... maybe it makes a better film thant novel!

This is a really interesting link. I actually posted a book discussion of the characters on my BookTube channel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_Uzt..., because the writing is so in-depth.
The story takes so many turns that it is difficult for some of the characters to stay likable - the book is meant to get gritty.

During my reading experience, I kept feeling like I was looking at a train wreck. I couldn't 'look away'. I've since realized the writing definitely put me 'in the moment'... but I 'still' feel like I watched a train wreck that I didn't (or couldn't) look away from. Kind of left me feeling slimy... I think that was the appeal to some, and the turn off for others (me included). Definitely won't read it again. And when asked about the book, I always preface with 'it's not for everyone'.

Regarding likability, I didn't dislike the main character. I felt bad for her, I guess. But, in 'real life', I don't expect every person to react as I would in a situation (ex: when done with a relationship, you move on).

I have a "fifty page rule" when it comes to books. I will give any book a chance for at least fifty pages, and if it hasn't grabbed me I can put it down. (I almost NEVER quit after fifty pages). With this book, I didn't like it by page fifty but it had gotten so much hype I thought surely it will get better. I think I put it down around page 110. It just never managed to peak my interest. The idea is engaging, and I'm curious about how the story played out, but the writing left me bored. Rachel just rides around town miserable on the train, Megan is miserable in her wandering and aimless life, and as a character neither inspired me to care. Maybe the movie will be better than the book; at least there's hope for that!