The Paris Express by Emma Donoghue

Famous for her bestselling novel The Room, Emma Donoghue's latest novel is inspired by a real-life train crash in 1895. In this fictional account, a young woman with a hidden bomb boards the Granville to Paris express train, determined to be written into history. Also onboard the train are people from all around the world, from all walks of life, and the railway crew.

The railway crew is a hardworking and industrious lot that has built a community together, and they spend more time together than they do with their wives, although there are inevitable tensions that arise between the different personalities. But they are tasked with ensuring the train arrives on time, no matter the holdups along the way. The passengers who are spread across first, second and third classes are an eclectic cross-section of society in turn-of-the-century Paris, and the author has cleverly included some interesting real-life people on this fictional journey inspired by a real journey. Some were actually on the real train, but others Emma has placed into the story.

As always, Emma Donoghue’s writing is impeccable, and she once again delves into a new genre. Her books are always a surprise in this regard. The Paris Express is a brilliant and surprising historical thriller.

Reviewer: Karen McMillan

Picador