The People on Platform 5

Iona Iverson is a magazine therapist who knows all the rules a person must follow while taking the train. One day a fellow commuter nearly dies choking on a grape and suddenly those rules change. The characters in this story span all kinds of archetypes: from the fierce and fashionable elder lesbian, a sweet but anxious Indian nurse in a cancer clinic, a teen girl trying to recover from social exile and learning to step into her power, a woman in the perfect relationship with an internet stalker, and a washed up stock trader who is trying his best.

This is a truly lovely story about chosen family, second chances, and finding new friends in unlikely places. I loved how well realized the characters were and how they crossed the divides of show more generations and cultures and backgrounds. A feel good story that has big cozy vibes.

Read if you: love an ensemble cast who grow together through an unlikely sequence of events, characters who are more than what they seem at first glance, a hot cup of tea on a cold rainy afternoon. show less

Iona is an ageing It-girl from the 80s reduced to serving as a magazine therapist (i.e. ‘agony aunt’) in a woman’s magazine suffering declining circulation. Iona is as vibrant and vital as ever, but everyone around her keeps getting younger and there is a definite decline in respect. Even on the daily journey into the city on the commuter train. But when the man across from her starts choking on a grape, it’s Iona to the rescue. Well, not personally of course, but she does stand up and forcefully call out for a doctor in their crowded carriage. Her call is answered by a male nurse, Sanjay, who rescues the grape imbiber, Piers. And that action and its subsequent interactions sets in motion a cascade of meetings and greetings and, show more shockingly, talking on the train. Soon a whole cadre of new friends, with Iona as their centre, is whirling through the ups and downs of life, helping each other.

This is a delightful episodic novel whose structure is borrowed from the stops along the daily commute from Hampton Court station to London’s Waterloo station. Different characters get on at different points with different destinations and different problems, but they all share the same carriage and their lives eventually intertwine. And despite appearances, they are all, deep down, quite lovely people. Of course the level of interaction on the crowded London commute – where even making eye contact with a fellow traveller six inches from your face is frowned upon – quickly lifts this into the realm of fantasy or at least romance. And it’s all the better for that. It would be hard for anyone not to develop an affection for Iona and her motley crew. I certainly did.

Easily recommended. show less

“Never talk to strangers on a train” - rule 2 from Iona Iverson’s rules for commuting.
And so begins this awesome tale of a 50-something women’s magazine agony aunt, Iona iverson. Thank God she didn’t listen to her own rule number two or we wouldn’t have this wonderful book. The book is all about meeting, interacting and listening to strangers in our walk through life. In this case it is a commuter train in London, but this could be anywhere in the world and anywhere at all. This book falls into a little special place in my “read books” file. It fits right in with Britt-Marie Was Here, Miss Benson’s Beetle. Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine, Ragged Company and Anxious People. I love books with quirky characters living show more and doing their quirky things in the world of we ordinary and somewhat boring people. I love Iona Iverson. She is brash, loud, warm and down to earth, and she is openly and engagingly gay who has been living with the love of her life for 30 years. The people in Iona’s orbit are as quirky and funny in their own way, as she is and each of them has their own special problems and anxieties. They all meet on the same commuter train both morning and night—Hampton Court to Waterloo, Waterloo to Surbiton and then again back Hampton Court. I was enjoying myself so much with this book and its wonderful people, that it was hard to put it down. Iona finds that talking to strangers has opened up a whole new world for her, and never again will she follow her own rules of commuting. I highly recommend this book to readers who love quirky and eclectic characters. The human race is not a cookie cutter version of humanity. We are all different and we each can learn from others all the time, even without an Iona to direct us. Although, I do admit that I would love to meet an Iona, and am glad that since she is in this book, I can come back anytime to renew my acquaintance. Highly recommended. show less

Iona Iverson is one of a kind. A former cabaret performer who once hobnobbed with the rich and famous, she is a self-described "magazine therapist" who, for nearly thirty years, has answered letters from readers seeking help with their personal problems. Iona dresses flamboyantly in blindingly colorful outfits, carries a huge tote bag with drinks and other supplies, and is rarely seen without her beloved French bulldog, Lulu. Although she does not habitually interact with strangers on the train she takes to work, she screams for a doctor when a fellow passenger chokes on a grape. A male nurse volunteers to assist and successfully dislodges the grape.

Soon, Iona becomes the hub of a small group of people who travel by rail daily. Piers is show more a high-flying futures trader; Sanjay is an empathetic oncology nurse; Emmie is an attractive young woman who works for an advertising agency; David is a nondescript solicitor whose marriage is faltering; and Martha is a fifteen-year-old who is being bullied by her classmates. As the weeks pass, Iona learns that some of her newfound friends are despondent for various reasons. They need someone like her, who is older and wiser, to share her hard-earned wisdom. Iona attempts to buoy their spirits and suggests practical strategies for dealing with their dilemmas.

Clare Pooley's "Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting," which is set in London, is a delightfully funny, poignant, satirical, bittersweet, and captivating page-turner. The dialogue is witty and sharp, the plot is enchanting, and the characters jump off the page. Readers will become invested in the fate of these commuters who are brought together by happenstance, but form a strong bond based on mutual respect, affection, and a need to share their angst with individuals who are sympathetic and non-judgmental. Pooley has written one of those rare novels that I lingered over, since I wanted to prolong my enjoyment of its engaging style, laugh-out-loud humor, and keen insight into the myriad ways that human beings cope with life's challenges. show less

I loved this!

Iona is goals, but all these characters were so real - flaws, strengths, and all and I enjoyed getting to know them and spending time with them.

The backstory: This group of people have been weekday commuting together for years on the train, but had never spoken or interacted. Each of them had formed an impression of the others based on how they presented publicly and as impressions have a tendency to do, they were partly right and largely wrong.

One day, they have reason to interact. From there, they slowly they get to know each other and eventually become an unlikely band of friends. The book focuses on how they grow both individually and how they're enriched collectively by risking being known and opening their lives to show more the others. It's also a story about second chances, becoming who you are, and giving to others.

It's written with humor, heart, and wisdom. Reading this was a joy through and through. Highly recommended and calling it now--it'll be one of my feel-good favorites of the year. show less

I adored Clare Pooley's first novel, The Authenticity Project. (my review) I was very excited to read her second novel, Iona Iverson's Rules For Commuting. And like the first book, it was a fabulous read and is one of my faves of 2022!

Pooley took inspiration from her own experiences on the train. "I also started to wonder what would have happened if I'd ignored the unwritten rule of commuting and had been brave enough to talk to my fellow commuters. What adventures might those conversations taken me on? And that thought became this book." I loved this premise! The story could go anywhere.

Iona Iverson rides the train to work every day, sitting in the the same seat along with her dog Lulu (who also has her own seat), which funnily show more enough, no one ever questions. But Iona's life and many others are destined for change from the opening line...."Until the point when a man starting dying right in front of her on the 08:05, Iona's day had been just like any other."

I knew from Pooley's first novel, that the plot would be character driven. Oh my, Pooley has again created the most wonderful, eclectic, quirky group of players. They're a mixed bunch - different ages, jobs, social strata, personalities, joys, problems and more. But what they have in common is the train - and Iona.

Each of the train riders is given a voice with their own chapters. They're so well drawn, detailed and relatable. Slowly but surely, with every new chapter, their lives become enmeshed. I came to care for them all and honestly couldn't stop reading. I needed to know what was going to happen with everyone!

Pooley's writing is so easy to read, flows so easily and is utterly addictive. If you're looking for a warm, feel-good, uplifting, unexpected, just be yourself tale, this is one you'll want to read. After I turned the last page, I wondered - what would happen if someone actually did this?

An absolute five star, must read! show less

Rating 2.75

At first Iona seemed like she would be an Eleanor Oliphant type which initially raised hope. But as the story plays out we come to realize she's little more than an aging lesbian who enjoys counseling strangers she sees regularly on the train.

Based in the outskirts of London, Iona commutes with Lulu her pug, which draws attention from the other commuters. Regimented, she sits at the same table on her regular route and it's here she meets Piers, Sanjay, Martha, David and Emmie. Like most, each have issues they're coping with and as they connect with Iona, she offers advice for each and as its adopted, they realize what a gift it was to meet her.

Working for a woman's magazine, Iona grew popular over the years due to advice show more given to those struggling with life. In her 50s, she'd lived with her long time partner, Bea, who began to suffer with early Alzheimer symptoms and was eventually placed in a home. Her editor decides the magazine needs to attract a younger demographic and soon she's put on notice.

The author uses a standard approach toggling chapters focused on each of the characters. And while it's relatively well written and paced, the predictability of characters and plot are disappointing. It's difficult not to like Iona, whose back story is rife with the unusual. That said, the other characters are mundane which doesn't help with engagement.

Woven into the story fabric are themes of loss, romance and redemption which in my opinion failed to save it. I realize most may disagree with this summary, but like all arts, we're each drawn to something different. show less