THE PEOPLE ON PLATFORM 5

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗢𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝟓
𝗕𝘆 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗣𝗼𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘆
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿: 𝗣𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘂𝗶𝗻 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿
𝗣𝗮𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸: 𝟑𝟔𝟖
𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱: 𝟏𝘀𝘁 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑
𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗿𝗲: 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗪𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴
𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿: 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒


Despite having five distinct points of view within one narrative, The People on Platform 5 has a remarkable plot. Each character felt perfectly crafted and brought something unique to the story—whether it was Iona, Piers, Emmie, Sanjay, or Martha, their journeys were captivating.

Iona, a magazine therapist with a vibrant personality, thrives on the office's energy despite her strained relationship with her editor and some coworkers, who view her as out of touch. With her French bulldog Lulu always by her side and her trusty bag filled with essentials, Iona’s quirky habits were endearing. Her daily commute was a ritual not to be disrupted, and I found her resilience and charm utterly delightful.
Sanjay, a compassionate nurse working in a cancer ward, offered both medical care and emotional support to his patients yet struggled with crippling anxiety and panic attacks. His unspoken affection for fellow commuter Emmie added a tender layer to his story, making him a character I couldn’t help but root for.
Emmie, quietly admiring Iona from afar, works in marketing but feels unfulfilled by her job. Her relationship with a seemingly perfect man isn’t quite as flawless as she wishes, and her journey of self-discovery is subtly moving.
Piers, a trader facing an extended run of bad luck, initially comes across as arrogant and unsympathetic. Yet, as the story unfolded, I appreciated how his character evolved, showing that beneath the bravado was a man grappling with tough choices for the sake of his family. His struggle felt relatable, though I admit I wasn’t fond of his wife, Candida.
Martha, a thirteen-year-old enduring a devastating experience after a compromising photo of her circulates online, was the heart of the book’s exploration of bullying and the emotional toll it takes. Watching her grow into a more confident version of herself was deeply satisfying.
David, whose faltering marriage leaves him and his wife longing for something more, provided another perspective on the complexities of relationships.

The plot takes off when Piers chokes on a grape, prompting Sanjay to step in and save the day. This moment sparks a chain of events that leads the commuters to break Iona’s golden rule—never talk to strangers—and begin forming unlikely friendships. I adored how each character started to care for one another, offering support in ways they never anticipated.
The book brilliantly addresses crucial topics such as bullying, grief, stress, and domestic violence while maintaining a lighthearted and sensitive tone. I especially appreciated how Piers’ character transformed; despite initially disliking him, I came to understand the difficult choices he had to make. Although I found Candida hard to sympathize with, Emmie and Sanjay's romance was thoroughly satisfying, as was the resolution of Martha's story. Iona, true to herself, remained the bright, joyful presence who held this newfound “family” together.
The People on Platform 5 was an absolute joy to read. Combined with the author's seamless weaving of each character's storyline, it was one of my favourite reads this year. The story kept me laughing, smiling, and absorbed in the characters' world as I learned about friendship, personal growth, and overcoming life's challenges. As a writer, the author's ability to tackle complex subjects with sensitivity and humour is a testament to her abilities.
It was exactly the kind of book I enjoyed reading, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. I would highly recommend it to all readers. While some may find certain parts slow, the overall experience is enriching.

"Be the Iona in the journey of your life’s train."

My Rating:

4.5/5

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