The Girl on the Train Book Club Discussion Questions

Inside: The Girl on the Train book club discussion questions

The Girl on the Train, by Paula Hawkins is the official book club selection for March in the Happy Simple Mom Book Club.

This book is a mystery thriller that will keep you guessing throughout the book. It also offers insight into mental health struggles from multiple perspectives, highlighting that we all seem to have battles we are fighting.

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Happy Simple Mom Book Club March 2024 Pick

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You can also join us for great discussions in the Happy Simple Mom Book Club Facebook group.

Don’t miss out on any other reads from 2024. You can find those in the 2024 Happy Simple Mom Book Club picks.

March 2024 Pick: The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

Genre: Suspense/Thriller

Length: 336 pages

Audio Length: 10 hours and 58 minutes

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Publisher’s Description:

EVERY DAY THE SAME
Rachel takes the same commuter train every morning and night. Every day she rattles down the track, flashes past a stretch of cozy suburban homes, and stops at the signal that allows her to daily watch the same couple breakfasting on their deck. She’s even started to feel like she knows them. Jess and Jason, she calls them. Their life—as she sees it—is perfect. Not unlike the life she recently lost.

UNTIL TODAY
And then she sees something shocking. It’s only a minute until the train moves on, but it’s enough. Now everything’s changed. Unable to keep it to herself, Rachel goes to the police. But is she really as unreliable as they say? Soon she is deeply entangled not only in the investigation but in the lives of everyone involved. Has she done more harm than good?

SPOILER ALERT!!! The following discussion questions WILL give away things from the book. Read at your own risk.

The Girl on the Train Book Club Discussion Questions

Question 1:

Was this an easy book to start or did you struggle through the beginning? Why?

Question 2:

Was it an easy book to finish? Why or why not?

Question 3

Who was your first guess to “who did it”? 

Question 4

What are your thoughts on Rachael and Tom’s marriage? 

Question 5

How do you think Anna’s marriage was different than Rachael’s marriage to Tom? How do you think it was similar?

Question 6

Have you seen the movie? Thoughts on any similarities and differences? What’s the most glaring thing you noticed? 

Question 7

This book highlighted that women carry secrets, even in their marriages, sometimes keeping their biggest secrets from the person they love most.  What are your thoughts regarding this in relation to the book? 

Question 8

Rachel, Megan, and Anna…what do you see as these women having in common?

Question 9

Do you think this book accurately depicts the emotional and physical consequences of alcoholism?

Question 10

There are a lot of trust issues going on in the book. Do you think any one character could be trusted?

Question 11

Have you ever watched a neighbor, regular commuter, or anyone (similar to Rachel’s experience) and made up a whole story line about them?

Question 12

There is the quote, “It’s possible to miss what you’ve never had, to mourn for it.” Have you ever experienced this and come to the same conclusion?

What were your thoughts on the March book club pick, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins? Let me know in the comments below.