Emma Donoghue’s new historical fiction novel, based on the real 1895 accident, follows a cast of characters on the doomed train from Granville to Paris. The book provides the perspective of many different characters on the train, including employees and occupants of all three train classes. While some of these characters have interesting backstories, there were so many of them, at times it was difficult to keep them all straight.

The first half of the novel moved slowly for me, but there is a big reveal about half way through that peeked my interest. While readers know the train is headed for disaster, it was not exactly the disaster I anticipated. I found the afterward that provided historical context to be interesting.

Donoghue’s earlier works, Room and The Wonder are two of my favorites. While I will always continue to read what she’s published, I do sometimes find her writing to be hit or miss with me.

I suppose it's hard to top a book like ROOM. I liked the Paris Express but didn't love it. Donoghue's writing is terrific and she gives us fully fleshed characters all boarding the express train to Paris - a mere seven hours - from the Brittany coast in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class. The incident that the book revolves around is true and some of the characters are real. There was little she could glean so she was able to make up stories about them all as they rode and made stops and got closer to Paris. There is intrigue and suspense but I found myself wanting to jump ahead at times. The ending was lovely and I suspect at another time, I will have another go at it.

I was absolutely addicted to this story It takes place in 1895 in France, as a train bound for Paris has an interesting assortment of characters riding along. I really thought these characters were fabricated but they were mostly not. The author does an incredible job bringing to life a historical event along with the social complexities of the time. The protagonist is a brilliant creation and creates the necessary tension to the story. Also I enjoyed the detailed descriptions of the functions of a steam train. Well done!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the ARC.

I was not familiar with the actual event this was inspired by which I think is beneficial in reading so as not to know the end result.

It took me a good 50-60% of the book to actually get into the story and still then I wasn’t quite as gripped as I hoped. Some of the characters and their stories shine more than other. The sheer number of characters brought into the story in quick succession was a trouble point for me. I don’t mind stories following multiple characters but they were thrown in a little too quickly without any major identifying/captivating stories at the beginning to keep them straight.

From the 60%ish on I enjoyed the story and how it all unraveled.

With the number of books I read, I am surprised when I read a truly unique story, and this one is a case in point! I really enjoyed the structure of the book that had us stopping at train stations around France, and told the interesting stories of several people who were aboard this real-life historic train ride to Paris in 1895. Refreshing and difficult to put down!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster for the advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was a strong historical fiction novel, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed in the time-period. It uses the disaster perfectly and brought characters in that felt like they were supposed to. Emma Donoghue has a strong writing style and was hooked from the first page.

The Paris Express was a typical train with people from all walks of life and all around the world. Everybody was trying to get to Paris for one reason or the other. Some had business there. some had more sinister plans for the trip.

I really enjoyed the variety of the characters in this train. No two people were the same. Their interactions were something you can only experience on a public transport. People who wouldn't be looking each other's ways where exchanging stories only to end up in the same tragedy.

It's based on 1895 disaster and I have to say I spent more time in the back of the book looking at the photos and reading about victims than in the front. That does not mean that story was not captivating, but the photos of the disaster were even more captivating.

What a marvelous work of historical fiction based on a true event. I felt as if I was riding with the passengers on this trip to Montparnasse. The train’s speed, the potential interactions with the passengers made for a thrilling and exciting and informative read.