Book Review: The Girl on the Train

Oh man. This is the book I have been craving. Since I read ‘Gone Girl’ I have been missing something thrilling, something that I can’t put down. And ‘The Girl on the Train’ was definitely that. On paper, it shouldn’t really work. It was depressing and unnerving. All of the characters had deep issues. We’re not talking simple character flaws, but serious issues. But the pacing and the mystery balanced all that out, making this book a fantastic read. 

If you like perfect characters that everyone loves, you won’t like this book. But, I’ve never been like that. I think the flawed ones are far more interesting. I’ve always preferred the messed up characters, the characters you can’t trust. And you can’t trust any of these characters. What I liked about it was that the main characters challenged you not to trust them. What seems like a trustworthy character in the start of the book soon becomes the opposite, and vice versa.

Overall, I don’t think it quite hit the mark that ‘Gone Girl’ hit, but it was a thrilling and entertaining weekend read that I would absolutely recommend. 

4 stars

EU

Waking up on Friday morning was difficult. It was difficult because it felt like this structure of unity and hope that we had all spent so much time building just came crashing down on top of us. It felt as if everything we stand for as young, hopeful individuals had just been shot down, shattered on the floor in front of us. 

On Thursday, the older generation of the United Kingdom decided a future for the younger generation. On Thursday, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. We voted for a future of uncertainty, isolationism and nationalism. None of which the younger generation signed up for. 

But, clearly, someone signed up for it. As much as I do not understand it, this is something that many people want. This is something that many people feel strongly about. We could complain and argue and rage until our blood is boiling and our knuckles are raw, but that will only deepen the divide within the country. 

The UK is an amazing place to be. I have only lived here for three years, but I love it. I am so privileged to live in this country, where education, healthcare and resources are readily available. I live in a country where I can have any career that I want and marry anyone that I want and say anything that I want. I live in a country that is so diverse and rich in cultures and opinions. It is a country of infinite possibility and growth. 

So, although I will never understand nationalism or isolationism, I feel now more than ever that we must put our anger and fear behind us. We should unite, and share our openmindedness. An openmindedness that will cross borders, race, gender and sexuality. I know we can do that. I know we can overcome this.

I just hope others will feel the same.

Barcelona Dreaming

In March, Ann-Marie and I took our first real vacation together.

We travelled to Barcelona on st. Patricks day, and we were only there for a long weekend, but I think that's perfect for a city break. We rented an airbnb in the centre of town and spent our days there wandering around, enjoying the spring air and taking in the sights.

We walked and walked and walked for hours each day, fitting as many sights as we could into each day. The architecture was out of this world. I had never seen anything like it. I remember when we studied Gaudí in art class when I was in school. I was mesmerised immediately. I was used to Scandinavian design. Everything was simple, clean, even sterile. But this was the opposite. Everything in Barcelona is rich and organic. Each building seems to live a life of its own, all kept alive by the blood flowing through the city. 

But nothing, nothing could prepare me for La Sagrada Família. I'd seen photos, I'd read about it, I thought I knew how it would make me feel. But I didn't. When I was in Rome in 2013 I had convinced myself that St. Peters Basilica would make me feel something. I convinced myself that I would have some kind of spiritual revelation or be overcome with emotion when I looked up at the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. But I was merely impressed. I could appreciate the beauty and the richness, but it didn't make me feel anything. It wasn't like Picasso's Guernica, which nearly brought me to tears when I saw it in the flesh, even though I had seen it countless times in books or on photographs. 

La Sagrada Família made me feel that way too. As we walked slowly through the church, I couldn't imagine anything could be more beautiful. Not only was it architecturally masterful, but it was alive. Photos in no way do it justice.

I'm already itching to go back. We will someday, but there's something about exploring a city for the first time. You never quite get that feeling back when you visit it again. Every other time, you are just confirming or disproving your original impression of the place. But I will definitely be going back to La Sagrada Família. I just hope the masterpiece will be finished in my lifetime.

Until next time.