Scot Fin's Blog - Posts Tagged "commentary"

The Train – The Girl

While Paula Hawkins’ girl was not on the train pictured, I’m sure there were many girls who had traveled on that vintage train. In addition, she had me reading my second ‘Girl’ titled book after just finishing ‘Gone Girl‘ (a previous blog). Why am I reading these ‘Girl’ titled books asks the author of ‘Ralph and the Girl From Mayfair Towers?’

Paula Hawkins quote

“I have lost control over everything, even the places in my head.” I had the distinct impression that this was said as a bad thing. Okay, maybe losing control over everything is a bad thing. Every now and again, however, as a writer I might like to lose a little control over the places in my head. Often my main character sneaks in there, into my head, and takes control.

The Author and the Book

I had read that this was Paula Hawkins first novel in the psychological thriller genre. As a writer myself, I have previously mentioned I don’t really like to do reviews. I will say, however, that I really did enjoy this first venture into the thriller genre. There does seem to be a trend, though, having just read ‘Gone Girl’ as well. Both separated chapters through specific character narration at specific intervals. Is this a trend I need to pay attention to? Unfortunately, currently I can’t as my main character, Ralph, tends to control the narration. And, for this book I did find myself looking back to the beginning of a chapter occasionally to be confident of the time line in my head. This wasn’t an issue for me; just something I found interesting.

While finding out that this was Paula Hawkins first novel in this genre, I also came across that she had previously written other novels. Apparently under the pseudonym ‘Amy Silver‘ she had written a number of other novels. Well that makes an indie author like myself feel good.

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Gone Girl

So it took me a little while to read Gone Girl. My motivation, my wife wants to see the movie and although neither of us are big movie people, if we are going to see a movie based on a well known novel, we both like to have read the book first. She gave me a thumbs up to it being something good to read.

I’d agree; I did enjoy it. Certainly there are numerous reviews and I’ve seen very good and very bad. I think all popular books would get a certain amount of very good and very bad reviews but this one seems to be a really love it or really hate it. The really love it seems to have the upper hand. For me, I’d say I was glad that I read Gone Girl. Hedging, you bet, but I really don’t do actual book reviews. As a writer who is subject to reviews, I don’t like to give a yea or nay to another authors work because I know the work put in to it.

Fireworks?

As such, you will see the middle three stars on Goodreads from me. Do I recommend reading it; absolutely. While some of the negative reviews I’ve read lamented the fact that they gave up time to read this book, I think even if it conjures up strong negative feelings, then it is worth the read to have strong emotions brought out. It gets you in the game while there are books that when you finish, it’s just, well okay, I’m finished, ho hum.

Mostly some of the plot twists and handling of Amy’s character development garner the most ‘discussion.’ I would say there is a unique quality to how these two subjects were handled, which in itself, whichever side of the fence you come out on, makes Gone Girl an interesting read.

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