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.

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.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I loved the evocative cover of this book. It immediately conjured up days of travel by steam and a different world. The story is partly based on fact, with the real Paris Express the literal vehicle for the narrative. I wanted to like this but it’s fallen rather flat. I’m not a huge Donohgue fan and found Room unreadable. She’s clearly undertaken extensive and meticulous research to inform the detail. Perhaps just too much detail overall as it’s distracting. Too much about the train and the number of characters is extensive. Each has a part to play, of course, but the sheer numbers are confusing at times and it feels muddled and put together piecemeal. I felt there’s only a tenuous thread throughout and not a great deal by way of plot. The writing is excellent and all depictions are plausible and well rounded, but this is a book that for me, failed to ignite.

Imagine a film. Something like Murder on the Orient Express. How all the characters develop, first on the platform, then on the train itself. How the staff on the train work as a team and of course the elite footplate staff, the engineer and fireman. Can you almost smell the scene? Coal, steam and oil?
Emma Donoghue manages to make paper become celluloid in her delivery of The Paris Express. It's so well done, I wouldn't be surprised if in fact it does become celluloid and appears at a cinema near you.

The Paris Express is a fictional work, albeit with meticulous research, that explores the journey made by the train involved in the crash at Montparnasse in Paris in 1905. The passengers travelling in different classes of carriages are highlighted, along with the crew and the back stories are told and links between them are forged.
The writing is good, the historical details are interesting and Donoghue has obviously done a lot of research both into the people who were on the train and into how this railway company worked, but I found the huge list of characters overwhelming and I wasn't that interested in how the train worked. Ultimately, since the outcome of the story is inevitable the plot is weak.
I found it an interesting idea and it was as well executed as it could be but it didn't make a great read and is certainly not the best of Donoghue's books.
With thanks to Netgalley and Pan Macmillan for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the historical aspects of this book as I had no previous knowledge of this disaster. Clearly a lot of research has been done and I appreciated that. I did think there were too many characters and too much detail about the train that I wasn't particularly interested in. Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this journey into Paris. Emma Donoghue is a great study of character. I have read all her books and actually I don’t always enjoy them but they are always interesting. This was both. I got wrapped up in the characters. All with different reasons for being on the train, and different desires and internal dialogue. Worth a read and thanks to NetGalley for the early copy.

This novel explores the circumstances surrounding the 1895 train crash at the Paris Montparnasse. Various characters from each class are highlighted, their back stories told and links built up.

You hear about a female anarchist, a medical student who suspects a fellow passenger may be dying, a Russian emigre whose life’s work is to help those around her, members of parliament rushing back to Paris to vote and a budding artist and film maker. All potential victims of the anarchist until fate intervenes.

The author also builds up a picture of the train crew - the pressures they are put under by the train company and the difficulties of life on the railways.

Evocative, building slowly but with an unexpected ending.

One I will be recommending.

A fascinating dramatisation of a real train journey that ended in tragedy for many. I loved the back stories and historical details and the factual role call at the end.