This is a fun historical read, filled with a vast array of characters who all add depth and interest to the narrative. Examining the political and social unrest of the time, the Paris Express manages to encapsulate the hopes and desires of a disparate group of travellers. Although a work of fiction, the research into the actual eventful journey is woven nicely through to provide a sense of reality and suspense.

The differing narrative threads are well managed and interwined with ease, providing you with a sense of being on the train. beautifully written and well paced.

I can still feel the train rocking! Emma Donoghue takes us on a journey in more ways than one as we follow the Paris Express from Normandy to well, Paris. The focus is on Mado, an angry young budding anarchist and the contents of her lunch pail but we get to know so many more of the passengers and crew intimately, and that is the author’s art. As with her other novels, you are transported completely in terms of time and place by way of the lives of the characters. So many themes are touched upon - racism, homosexuality, the advent of film, industry, transport, liberal France, engineering, medicine - so much was happening at the end of the 1800s and this book and its relatively short train journey manages to encapsulate it all. I did not realise until the end that the basis of the story was a real event (and not one that you are expecting at that!) and that some of the characters are based upon real people. The pace gathers speed as the journey progresses, much like the train itself and I found it hard to put down. Having got to know everyone so well, it is a cruel awakening to remember that at the end of the journey they will all go their separate ways and much like any book (or train journey) you are left pondering ‘I wonder what they are doing now?’. The beauty here is that in the epilogue we do learn what became of some of them, or at least a version of them.

'The Paris Express' is centred on a (real-life) train journey from Granville to Paris on 22 October 1895. The author Emma Donaghue peoples her novel with the actual train staff, as well as several of the passengers, plus other real people alive at the time ("plausible guests" she terms them).
She has certainly done her background research, but never lets this overwhelm the narrative.
The author is skilled in bringing each person to life, and imbuing them with their own characteristics and motivations for their behaviour - including a young female anarchist who is determined to blow up the train and cause death and destruction...
Whether she succeeds is played out in the midst of other passengers' trials and tribulations, as this gripping and readable novel steams ever onward to its dramatic dénouement.
A very enjoyable read.

I asked for this title as I enjoyed 'Room' so much. I didn't think this was as good, mainly because there were far too many characters, so it was impossible to get to know any of them enough to engage with them. I found that I frequently forgot who people were and why they were travelling and think it would have been better to concentrate on a few in more detail. Interesting that it was based on a real event, which must have been astonishing at the time.

This book took a few chapters to set the scene of all the characters on the train. I really didn't know what to expect. The author slowly reels you into the story expanding and elaborating to paint the whole picture. Then wham!, the horror of the bomb on the train with a human detonator. Unbeknown to the passengers, there are 2 problems, the bomb and the train itself. It was a thrilling book and the author kept me guessing of the final outcome right until the very end. I researched the story and a steam train did burst off the tracks in Paris with one fatality. A brilliant idea for a story.

*The Paris Express* by Emma Donoghue is a compelling and atmospheric novella that takes readers on a tense, intimate journey through a single night in Paris, navigating themes of loss, identity, and the unexpected ways our lives intersect. Though relatively short, the story leaves a lasting impression thanks to Donoghue's trademark skill in capturing complex emotions in confined spaces.

The novella is set entirely on the Paris Métro, specifically the Paris Express (Line 4), which becomes the stage for an unlikely encounter between two women from very different walks of life. The narrative is structured in a way that combines both suspense and emotional depth, as the women are thrown together in a confined, somewhat claustrophobic space—a metaphor for their emotional and psychological states.

**Plot and Characters**
The story revolves around two primary characters: **Olivia**, an English tourist on her way to a memorial service for her recently-deceased husband, and **Maud**, a Parisian woman of a certain age who is struggling with her own personal crises. Their lives intersect in the course of a tense, brief conversation during the train ride, and the connection they form becomes the heart of the story.

What makes this encounter especially riveting is the complex layers of both women's lives, revealed slowly through dialogue and internal monologue. The poignancy of their brief interaction is heightened by the unspoken bond that forms between them, as both are dealing with loss—Olivia’s more immediate, and Maud’s more lingering. The way Donoghue weaves their backstories and emotional states into the train ride creates a powerful sense of intimacy and urgency.

**Themes**
One of the central themes of *The Paris Express* is the idea of fleeting connections between strangers. It captures that moment when two people, whether by accident or design, touch each other's lives in a way that leaves a lasting impact. The setting of the subway—the ordinary, often impersonal environment—is an interesting choice, as it emphasizes the contrast between the mundane surroundings and the depth of the emotional encounter.

Another major theme is the idea of grief and the way it manifests differently in people. Olivia's grief is fresh, raw, and public, whereas Maud's grief is more internalized and complex, the kind that builds over years. Donoghue explores the ways that people carry loss with them, how it changes them, and how the presence of another person—even a fleeting encounter—can alter one's emotional course.

**Writing Style**
Donoghue’s writing is as precise and evocative as ever. She has an extraordinary ability to take seemingly ordinary moments and imbue them with significance. The confined space of the train, the muted background noises of the city, and the pulse of the train’s movement all serve as metaphors for the inner turbulence the characters experience. There's a quiet, almost hypnotic quality to the writing that builds tension without ever feeling rushed or forced.

**Final Thoughts**
*The Paris Express* is a beautiful, melancholic meditation on grief, connection, and the small yet significant moments that can change our lives. Donoghue’s ability to create an emotional arc within the span of such a brief time frame is impressive, and the novella is a testament to her skill as a storyteller. Though it's a short read, it’s one that lingers in the mind long after the final page is turned. Fans of Donoghue’s other works, particularly her knack for writing characters in emotionally complex situations, will find much to admire here.

In summary, *The Paris Express* is a poignant and atmospheric novella that explores the delicate ways people navigate personal pain and unexpected moments of connection. Emma Donoghue excels at bringing depth to the briefest encounters, and this story is no exception.

The Paris Express is a work of historical fiction that plunges you into the heart of the infamous 1895 train disaster at Montparnasse station in Paris. Inspired by real events and the haunting photographs capturing the chaos, Donoghue spins a captivating narrative aboard a train speeding toward Paris from Granville, Normandy

The story, told over only one day, is a dazzling tapestry of diverse characters, each with their own secrets and motivations. You’ll meet members of parliament racing against time to make crucial votes, a medical student desperate to save a girl’s life, a visionary secretary pushing the boundaries of moving pictures, and a young anarchist with a dark plan in mind. Don’t forget the train crew, silently grappling with their personal lives away from their families. These interwoven tales offer a thrilling glimpse into the passengers’ aspirations and dilemmas as they hurtle toward destiny

Donoghue masterfully layers historical intricacies about France’s railroad system and the pivotal roles of train operators, enriching the narrative with authenticity and depth. This backdrop amplifies the mounting tension as the disaster looms, making every page a pulse-pounding moment

What’s truly exhilarating are the intense stories of the passengers and train workers, which reflect the vibrant, intricate fabric of the era. Donoghue vividly brings these characters to life so their fears, dreams, and decisions become hauntingly real

As the spectre of tragedy approaches—echoing the emotional depth found in Donoghue’s standout The Pull of the Stars —you’ll be left breathless, wondering: Will they defy fate? Who will emerge from the chaos? What shocking twists await?

Once again, Emma Donoghue has crafted a spellbinding tale that you won’t be able to set aside! The Paris Express is a stunningly written novel that perfectly fuses historical detail with gripping human drama, making it an unmissable read for lovers of historical fiction and character-driven stories. Buckle up for a journey you won’t forget!

Many thanks to the publisher for the opportunity to read via NetGalley; as always, this is an honest review.

In 1895, a diverse group of passengers board the train from Granville to Paris. They find their places in first, second, or third class carriages and settle in, each immersed in their own thoughts and none of them knowing what's going to happen before their journey has ended. We meet some of them in this book and go back and forth between them as the book and the journey continues. Interspersed with their stories are those of some of the crew and even the train herself (as 'she' is referred to throughout the book). I don't want to say too much about each character because part of the enjoyment I got from reading this book was learning their stories as I read on. I will say that there are many of them, and that taken together they represent an interesting cross section of the society of the time and provide a window into what the culture of that time and place was like, particularly in terms of class, the impact of new technology, and gender issues. The train herself is character in the book, with thoughts and feelings sometimes attributed to her.

The book is based on an actual historical event as were many of the characters, although their stories in the book are creations of the author. I did not know about the event depicted in the book, so I read it without knowing at all what was coming. I'm glad about that because it had an element of suspense for me--I wanted to know what would happen to the people on the train. In an afterword, Donoghue tells readers about her research into this event, the people who were on the train and in the book and a few facts about their lives, and the characters she made up completely.

It did take me a little while to sort out some of the characters--particularly the people who worked for the rail service. I'm not sure why that is. In any case, once I settled into the book, I just kept reading because I wanted to know what would happen. It's definitely a book worth spending time with. The writing is beautiful and the story gripping.

An eventful railway journey based on real events. A train travels to Paris in 1895 with an odd assortment of passengers, including a photographer, a gay man (illegal then, a very pregnant woman and a girl with a bomb. An enjoyable read, especially if you like train trips or railway history.

I was asked to review by NetGalley

The story is based on the train accident of 1885 at the Montparnassee train station in France.

This was a train journey from Granville in the region of La Manche to Paris.

The passengers on the train are from differing places, different classes- there was first 2nd and third class in those days.

The author has researched this derailment and disaster well as this still remains one of the most talked about train disasters. People are never the same after something like this happens. There are some interesting characters bound up in this along with some interesting personal stories.

Recommended read.

Emma Donoghue is the consummate storyteller- her novels are always different, gripping and meticulously plotted.

The Paris Express is a fascinating read based around the 1895 Montparnasse train crash. This is the story of the passengers heading towards an unknown disaster .

A multitude of characters are on board the train and their lives, loves, hopes, desires and secrets are explored and sometimes revealed.

The lives of the privileged in the first class carriages and those in second and third class are revealed through beautifully vignettes tapping into their lives. Yes, there is a large number of characters but this adds to the sense of impending drama as the reader is privy to what could happen - the oyster woman taking her wares to Paris ; the young black artist; the elderly man in the unhappy marriage with desires for men; the young boy travelling alone for the first time; the pregnant young woman; the woman due to perform in a Parisian cabaret; the woman of mixed heritage with an aspiring scientific career ahead of her and the rebellious Mado Pelletier who is hellbent on causing havoc and destruction.

It is the period detail that makes this such a compelling and fascinating read- exploring the divisions in society; the power and hypocrisy of the church ; the corruptive practices of the rail companies and the emergence of social changes that are still being fought to this very day.

Although as a reader, we know there will be potential tragedy, it is the investment in the characters that make this so readable - will they live? will they survive? what will happen?

Please don't google ahead- I didn't and it was worth it

Another winner from Emma Donoghue

A gripping and fascinating historical read exploring a real life event - maybe there should be a new portmanteau of disaster based historical real event fiction - disaster + history = disastory novels

I thoroughly enjoyed this new novel from Emma Donoghue. I was totally unaware that it was based on a true train crash at Montparnesse station in Paris. Perhaps this enabled me to enjoy it more. The character development was excellent and the claustrophobic atmosphere of the various train carriages added to the drama. The only slight criticism I would make was the sheer number of characters. It was hard at times to keep up with who was who but nevertheless I still enjoyed the book

This novel is based upon a real train disaster, in Paris, 1895 and takes place over a single train journey from Granville to Paris on the 22nd of October 1895. During the novel, we meet a number of characters who board or work on the train, one of whom is an anarchist, carrying a bomb. Among the other passengers, are a child travelling alone, an aspiring scientist, an American painter, students, industrialists, an artist’s model, a pregnant woman, a charitable Russian émigré an engineer and many others. We also meet the train crew, including the driver, stoker, and those in the baggage van.

During this novel, the train becomes almost a character itself, as those urging it on attempt to get to Paris in time. Indeed, time is central to the book, from the very start when one of the passengers boarding the train learns that clocks are set to a slightly different time. It is as though the railway is its own world, with its own rules. Those that are responsible for getting the train to where it is meant to be on time are aware of every stop and start and chapters are set around the train’s schedule. The driver and his stoker are chasing their bonus, while staff chafe at delays, including the coupling on of a private carriage for an invalid.

Along the way, people will flirt, bicker, think about their careers, marriages, muse on illness, their pasts, their futures, and learn the stories of each other’s lives. Meanwhile, one passenger sits, thinking of destruction, plotting, planning and thinking of when to cause chaos. This is a very engaging historical novel, with a good range of characters, from first to third class, and a realistic evocation of a place and time. I enjoyed this and found it an interesting fictional account of France at the time of Alfred Dreyfus, the anarchist movement and the founding of early workers unions. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.

I generally enjoy Emma Donahue's books and this was no exception. A well crafted story based on an event that actually happened. In some ways the true story at the end was more interesting than the fictionalised one. All the characters were well developed, some more likeable than others. I love train journeys anyway and wondering about my fellow passengers.
It's quite slow going which deter some
I wasn't aware of the original story. I can imagine this being made into a film (not a TV series, it needs to be one piece)

I wasn't aware of the historical context of this novel which I don't think took anything away from the story. If anything, I am glad I didn't.

I've always been a fan of Donoghue, since reading Room and I thoroughly enjoyed this one too.

I read this without knowing the historical reference but perhaps this made it all the more enjoyable as part of a mystery. I particularly enjoyed Donoghue’s character development within this claustrophobic environment where passengers change between carriages and strike up new acquaintances throughout their journey. There was a real sense of what it must have been like travelling during 1895.

The plot begins with Mado Pelletier, a passenger waiting for the train in Granville to return to Paris. She is planning something revolutionary, something that will cause the world to wake up and see the harsh social injustices dealt upon the poor at the hands of the rich. Also aboard the train is Maurice a young boy travelling alone and afraid. As each character is introduced, we are given a back story which creates rich and diverse storylines of racism, rebelliousness and taboo sexual desires.

The engaging writing kept me turning the pages and given that I didn’t know the history was surprised by the ending if not a little sad for those involved.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication.

I came to this book completely unaware of the historical basis but expected great things because of the author - and I was not disappointed. I loved the microcosm of the steam train setting, with disparate passengers thrown together (according to their carriage class of course) for the duration of the journey from Granville to Paris in the year 1895. Each passenger’s story was told in their own voice and even the train herself has a meaningful persona. The tension builds as we travel along the railway lines through the countryside and, not knowing the historical reality I was completely duped - in a good way! Do not delve too much into the real story until you have completed this masterful version of events and you will hopefully enjoy it as much as I did.

The blurb...
Based on an 1895 disaster that went down in history when it was captured in a series of surreal, extraordinary photographs, The Paris Express is a propulsive novel set on a train packed with a fascinating cast of characters who hail from as close as Brittany and as far as Russia, Ireland, Algeria, Pennsylvania, and Cambodia. Members of parliament hurry back to Paris to vote; a medical student suspects a girl may be dying; a secretary tries to convince her boss of the potential of moving pictures; two of the train’s crew build a life away from their wives; a young anarchist makes a terrifying plan, and much more.

Such a unique and creative way of addressing the 1895 French rail disaster. This story has captured the heart and soul of each traveller so realistically. For every one of the passengers, the author has brought to life the danger they unwittingly face, and by expressing their characters so vividly, the reader invests in the moments leading up to their inevitable outcome with a passionate attachment. Some with anger, some with sadness and some with pity, but however the reader feels about each individual, the author has done an incredible job of keeping the tension throughout the story building and providing much evidence of the thoughts and feelings of each of the travellers. A striking piece of writing.

Whilst I enjoyed the historical aspects of this book, having had no previous knowledge of this disaster, I did think there were too many characters and too much detail about the train that I wasn't particularly interested in.

Emma Donoghue’s The Paris Express is an engrossing historical fiction book based on the infamous 1895 train disaster at Montparnasse station in Paris. Drawing inspiration from real events and the surreal photographs that documented the crash, Donoghue weaves a gripping tale set aboard a train bound for Paris from Granville, Normandy.

The book features a richly diverse cast of characters, hailing from various corners of the globe, each with their own motives and secrets. Among them are members of parliament racing back to vote, a medical student who fears for a girl’s life, a secretary advocating for the potential of moving pictures, and a young anarchist determined to execute a chilling plan. There are also glimpses into the lives of the train crew, who quietly build new lives away from their families. These intertwined stories provide a fascinating view of the passengers’ lives, their journeys, and their aspirations.

Donoghue skilfully integrates historical details about France's railroad system and the roles of train operators, adding depth and authenticity to the narrative. This backdrop highlights the social and technological context of the time, enhancing the tension and stakes surrounding the disaster.

I particularly enjoyed the stories of the passengers and train workers, whose lives reflect the vibrant, complex fabric of the era. Donoghue’s storytelling brings these characters vividly to life, making their fears, dreams, and choices deeply compelling.

The Paris Express is a beautifully crafted book that combines historical accuracy with human drama, offering a compelling read for fans of historical fiction and character-driven narratives.

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