bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
There’s wayyy too many POVs (11 different characters PLUS alternating timelines plus a manuscript??). I love switching POVs but this was too much to the point that there’s too many plot points (which apparently not all of them get solved in the end), and I can’t connect with a single person.
Graphic: Suicide, Death, and Body shaming
Moderate: Fatphobia, Eating disorder, and Toxic relationship
mr_cain's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book genuinely kept me guessing. I did suspect the real culprit several times, but I waffled often. Hawkins does a great job supplying motive and details for each of the suspects without it feeling like a painfully deliberate red herring.
Hawkins also makes the characters each their own and her style is distinct for each chapter in a different POV (i.e. Helen, Jules, + Sean's chapters all feel genuine vs. the same style with different names as many POV switching books seem to do). She provides a cast of characters who are complex and feel so real. Not every character is deeply complicated but they all have their own established psyches which I loved.
I can easily call myself a Paula Hawkins fan after this.
Graphic: Suicide, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Cursing, Bullying, Body shaming, Infidelity, Rape, Fatphobia, Adult/minor relationship, Murder, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Animal death, Animal cruelty, and Blood
Minor: Vomit, Eating disorder, and Chronic illness
bbrewer14's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Gaslighting, and Physical abuse
This book touches on several controversial and somewhat difficult topics. None of them is expounded on so fully that they became completely uncomfortable, but the subject matter may be difficult for some readers.rhaselpaq's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Rape, Murder, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, and Body shaming
millenialbookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Murder, Rape, Sexism, Cursing, Sexual assault, Body shaming, and Bullying
bluejeepbaby's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, Death, Rape, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Suicide, and Fatphobia
Minor: Animal death, Lesbophobia, Murder, and Animal cruelty
hkhowell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Spoiler
I love the format of this book! There were so many characters and they all had their own POV chapters which added to the mystery in a compelling way. I would have liked to read more about the drownings before Lauren/seen their connection a little more obviously. I also would have loved to learn more about the main characters back story - we don't know anything about her before Nel's death. I get why she didn't want to go back to where she grew up but I would have liked to know what all she was leaving behind to do so.Spoiler
I liked this one way more than the girl on the train. Ultimately the reading experience was more enjoyable than the actual story.Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Murder, Rape, Suicide attempt, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body shaming, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
cheye13's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child death, Death, Murder, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fatphobia, and Grief
Moderate: Gaslighting, Infidelity, Sexism, Cursing, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Drug use, Eating disorder, and Physical abuse
rape is not depicted on-page, but before and after is extensively detailed; many detailed scenes involve drowningangelafeng's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Fatphobia, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Suicide, Murder, Infidelity, Violence, Blood, and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Animal death, Fatphobia, Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Rape, Cursing, Bullying, Body shaming, and Pedophilia
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Vomit, Eating disorder, Cancer, and Suicide attempt
satuhurme's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Body shaming, Rape, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt