45 pages • 1 hour read
Patricia HighsmithStrangers On A Train
Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 1950A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Strangers on a Train by Patricia Highsmith, architect Guy Haines and a stranger, Charles Bruno, meet on a train and discuss swapping murders: Bruno will kill Guy's unfaithful wife, Miriam, and Guy will kill Bruno's father. After Bruno kills Miriam, he pressures Guy to fulfill his part of the bargain, resulting in a series of events where both men are irrevocably connected by their crimes. Themes involving violent crime and mental illness are present.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Patricia Highsmith’s Strangers On A Train is lauded for its psychological depth and tension, creating a compelling crime narrative. Critics praise its intricate plot and character complexity but note occasional pacing issues. Overall, the novel is considered a thrilling exploration of morality and madness, reflecting Highsmith's mastery in suspense fiction.
Who Should Read Strangers On A Train?
Readers who enjoy psychological thrillers will be captivated by Patricia Highsmith's Strangers On A Train. Fans of Alfred Hitchcock's suspenseful storytelling or Gillian Flynn's dark, intricate narratives like Gone Girl will find this novel equally compelling. Ideal for those who appreciate complex characters and moral ambiguity.