Tuesday, 26 April 2022

New Publication Review: The People on Platform 5 by Clare Pooley



Nobody ever talks to strangers on the train. It's a rule. But what would happen if they did? From the New York Times and Globe and Mail bestselling author of The Authenticity Project, a heartwarming novel about unexpected friendships and the joy of connecting.

Every day Iona, a larger-than-life magazine advice columnist, travels the ten stops from Hampton Court to Waterloo Station by train, accompanied by her dog, Lulu. Every day she sees the same people, whom she knows only by nickname: Impossibly-Pretty-Constant-Reader and Terribly-Lonely-Teenager. Of course, they never speak. Seasoned commuters never do.

Then one morning, the man she calls Smart-But-Sexist-Manspreader chokes on a grape right in front of her. He'd have died were it not for the timely intervention of Sanjay, a nurse, who gives him the Heimlich maneuver.

This single event starts a chain reaction, and an eclectic group of people with almost nothing in common except their commute discover that a chance encounter can blossom into much more. It turns out that talking to strangers can teach you about the world around you-and even more about yourself.  


AMAZON US          AMAZON UK

Wow, once again, this is another delightful and original novel that’s blown me away! Ms. Pooley has truly mastered the art of feel-good fiction, and her latest novel, The People on Platform 5 is no exception. Like her previous work, The Authenticity Project, this book is centred around the theme of friendship and will leave you feeling joyful and uplifted.

I found myself completely engrossed in the story of Iona and the group of strangers she meets on her daily train commute. The author does an excellent job of weaving together their individual storylines and creating a heart-warming group of friends that you can't help but root for. While all of the characters are memorable, Iona truly shines as the star of the show. She is lovable, relatable, and someone you wish you could call your own best friend.

As I read, I found myself laughing out loud and occasionally shedding a tear. Again, the author has an incredible talent for making you feel a wide range of emotions. After I finished this book I already know it will be one of my all-time favourites.

If you're looking for a book that will make you smile, feel good, and believe in the power of friendship, this is it. It's a solid 5/5 stars from me. Trust me, you won't regret picking this one up.

***arc generously received courtesy of the publisher Random House via NetGalley***












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