The People on Platform 5 by Clare Pooley

The People on Platform 5 Review

My best friend and I have had an unofficial two-person book club going for quite a number of years now. When we visit each other, the first place we usually go to is the other one’s bookshelf and we treat the shelves like our personal libraries. ‘Can I take this?’ or ‘Read this, let me know what you think’ are refrains in our friendship. Today’s book is one from my bestie’s bookshelf.

Every day, the charismatic, fabulous and unflappable Iona Iverson boards the same train at the same time (08:05) to go to work (along with her little canine companion, Lulu). She is a commuter who follows the same unspoken rule as most of her travelling counterparts – do not speak to strangers on the train. She sees the same group of people each day. She gives these people names and makes assumptions about them, like “Smart-But-Sexist Surbiton”.

One morning, an event on the train causes things to change for Iona and her fellow commuters and we get to know this diverse group of people starting in the innocuous setting of the train. As the story progresses, we grow closer to each character as the story is told through their perspective. The characters are carefully and delightfully diverse, and show an often superficial yet relatable insight into universal human experiences. Some big topics are addressed, and there are parts that can be considered ominous and downright scary (briefly), but this cozy, undemanding read provides comfort and resolutions.

This novel is not challenging read – it is meant to make the reader feel warm and fuzzy. It is a feel-good fiction best enjoyed with a cup of tea and a warm little cat body by your side.