The Paris Express
The Paris Express ~ Emma Donoghue
A full cast of characters ride the express train from Granville, Normandy to Paris in October of 1895. Among them are a young physiologist, a painter, an aging Russian housekeeper, a young boy traveling alone, a (very) pregnant woman, a few parliamentarians, and a young anarchist with dreams of glory for her cause (and a bomb). The train itself is a character and has some consciousness of the danger, but no emotions nor any control over preventing it.
As we travel along the route, we learn more of each character, of their secrets and hopes. Mado, the anarchist, has made a bomb and is thrilled to learn that there are going to be parliamentarians aboard the train. She is sorry that her bomb will also kill the pregnant woman, the child, the kind Russian, but while these lives matter, they do not matter as much as her cause. What she can’t decide is when is the best time to detonate…in a tunnel? On a bridge? At a station?
I really enjoyed this quick thriller and was engrossed, wondering how it would end. I looked up Granville, and wow, what a beautiful seaside city! I knew nothing about this book going in, I don’t know who recommended it or if it just popped up as a suggestion because I have read other works by Emma Donoghue. I recommend this approach, if you know too much, I feel like it will take away from the story. If you’re not likely to read it, or if you like to read the end of a book before the rest, you can spoil the surprise here. It’s historical fiction, so the author has combined real events, real people who were there, real people who could potentially have been there, and fictional people. Highly recommended.
15 Comments
Nicole MacPherson
I don’t usually gravitate toward thrillers, but maybe I’ll give this one a try – sounds intriguing!
J
I’m not a big thriller fan either. I might not have read it if I had known, I think I just saw ‘Paris’ and the author, and added it to my Libby hold. 🙂
Rebecca Jo
I love a good historical fiction! I’ve not heard of this but now adding it to the every long list!
J
I hope you enjoy it (eventually)
Michelle G.
This sounds really good – it’s going on my list right now!
J
I hope you like it!
Elisabeth
Eeks. I put this on hold and the wait time is OUTRAGEOUS. But I’m very excited to (eventually) get to read this. Sounds like it would be my cup of tea.
J
Those long holds are funny because you don’t remember where you heard of it. By the time you read it, I’ll probably have forgotten that I read it, and if you blog about it I’ll think, “Oh, that sounds good!” HA.
Ally Bean
I’ve seen this book in B&N but didn’t pick it up to check it out. Now I will. Sounds like a good story. Thanks for the review.
J
I hope you like it (If you decide to read it)
Margaret
We read a book by this author that everyone in BC hated (“Frog Music”) so I’ve been hesitant to read her again. The French connection interests me though.
J
I’ve never read _Frog Music_. I’ve read (and loved) _Haven_ and _Room_. The author writes really varied work, I think she’s a beautiful writer.
Ernie
I do like historical fiction, but I recently read The Rose Code and I didn’t love it. First half good – the rest, sigh. Maybe I’ll check this one out this summer.
J
I haven’t heard of _The Rose Code_. If you try this one, I hope you enjoy it!
Suzanne
I’ve read Room but haven’t tried anything else by this author. I cannot tell you how much I am itching to click on your spoiler link! But will I spoil the story for myself???? Hmm. I’m not sure what I’ll do!