Naomi Weisman is the writer of Nomi's Pics and the editor of the Rambler Cafe Blog. She is a Canadian-Australian and mother of three who loves to Ramble with her dog, cook for family and friends, and laugh whenever possible.
Some books immediately capture our hearts. Others take a little more work.
The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue fell firmly into the second category for many of our readers. While a few members were hooked from the beginning, many found the novel a slow starter and struggled initially with the large cast of characters.
Yet by the end of the month, most agreed that the journey was worth taking—even if it wasn't a book they would have chosen on their own.
Too Many Characters… or Just Enough?
The biggest challenge for many of us was keeping track of the passengers aboard the train.
Readers, particularly those listening to the audiobook, often found themselves flipping back to the character list or simply accepting that not every traveller needed to be remembered. Once some members stopped worrying about who everyone was and focused on the overall experience of the journey, the story became much easier to enjoy.
Interestingly, while some felt there were too many characters and not enough depth, others appreciated the variety. After all, a train is full of strangers. Some people leave a lasting impression, while others are simply passing through our lives for a brief moment.
Mado: The Character Who Captured Our Attention
If there was one character who sparked the most discussion, it was Mado.
Many readers found her journey the most compelling part of the novel. Watching her perspective shift as she encountered the humanity of the people around her—particularly during the birth scene—gave the story much of its emotional weight. Several members admitted that Mado was the character they cared about most and wished her story had been explored even further.
Other memorable characters included the train crew, who carried the enormous responsibility of keeping the train running on schedule, the mother and daughter whose relationship touched many readers, and Hakim, affectionately remembered by one member as "the human coffee pot."
A Window into Another Time
One of the aspects our group appreciated most was the glimpse into life in late nineteenth-century France.
Readers were struck by the differences among first-, second-, and third-class travel, the treatment of immigrants and working-class passengers, and the social expectations placed on women. Several members commented that the train itself felt like a snapshot of society, bringing together people of different backgrounds, beliefs, and circumstances in a shared space.
As always, many of us found ourselves particularly drawn to the stories of the women on board and the challenges they faced.
To Research or Not to Research?
One of the more interesting discussions this month centred around the real-life train crash that inspired the novel.
Some readers found that researching the Montparnasse train disaster and learning which characters were based on real people greatly enhanced their enjoyment of the story. Others deliberately avoided looking up the historical event until they had finished reading, wanting to experience the suspense as it unfolded.
Most members agreed that Emma Donoghue's author's notes added valuable context and were well worth reading after finishing the novel.
Building Toward the Crash
Many readers described the book as a "slow burn."
Some spent the first half wondering where the story was heading, only to find themselves increasingly invested as the train gathered speed and the tension mounted. The mystery of how the crash would occur kept many pages turning. Would it be the bomb? Human error? A mechanical failure? Something else entirely?
Not everyone loved the ending. A few readers found it anticlimactic after so much build-up, while others appreciated that the story focused more on people than spectacle. Either way, the ending gave us plenty to discuss.
Not a Favourite for Everyone—and That's Okay
The Paris Express was not a universal favourite. Several members admitted they struggled to stay engaged, and a few chose not to finish the book at all. Others thoroughly enjoyed it and admired Donoghue's ambitious approach to weaving together so many lives in such a short span of time.
But perhaps one of the most common sentiments expressed was this: it may not have been a book we would have picked up ourselves, yet it broadened our reading horizons.
And isn't that one of the joys of this challenge?
Every month won't bring a new favourite, but every month offers the chance to step into another world, learn something new, and share the journey with readers from around the globe. This month, we climbed aboard a train bound for Paris—and whether we loved the ride or merely appreciated the destination, we certainly had plenty to talk about along the way.
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