callmeamelia's review against another edition
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
mppilk's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Baxter is a black, homosexual porter on an overnight train from Montreal to Canada. The white passengers call him George which is of course not his name and we never do find out his first name, only initials. He is working this job to save money to complete his dental science education. But saving money is difficult in this job, depending on passenger tips, ensuring linen and towels don’t go missing and trying to avoid demerits caused by passenger complaints. On top of that the train company does not provide sleeping arrangements or meals for their sleeping car porters.
Baxter is tired and hungry and appears to be suffering from sleep deprived hallucinations. He is dealing with an eclectic mix of passengers constantly demanding his attention.
I’m not sure how I really feel about this book, 3 stars seems a bit harsh but not worthy of 4 for me. I found it difficult at times to keep track of what was going on and what exactly was an hallucination. Indeed at the point where the passengers were organising a seance to seek out the ghost they thought was haunting the carriage it occurred to me that Baxter himself was the ghost. This is very much a character driven novel and the characters are very interesting if a little bit over the top at times. The ending is disappointing, not really an ending at all in fact.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for a review
Baxter is tired and hungry and appears to be suffering from sleep deprived hallucinations. He is dealing with an eclectic mix of passengers constantly demanding his attention.
I’m not sure how I really feel about this book, 3 stars seems a bit harsh but not worthy of 4 for me. I found it difficult at times to keep track of what was going on and what exactly was an hallucination. Indeed at the point where the passengers were organising a seance to seek out the ghost they thought was haunting the carriage it occurred to me that Baxter himself was the ghost. This is very much a character driven novel and the characters are very interesting if a little bit over the top at times. The ending is disappointing, not really an ending at all in fact.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for a review
mcrenshaw96's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
cam356's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
poorcate's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
livsliterarynook's review against another edition
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mugofsnails's review against another edition
challenging
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
fem71's review against another edition
informative
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
burnyayhayley's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I am not entirely sure how I feel about this.
While I think it is well-written and quite absorbing, I don't think I ever felt connected enough to Baxter to be very concerned about how the story would end—and I was right to do so, because the ending felt a bit flat, in all honesty.
Regardless, I enjoyed the journey, and I also really enjoyed the author's note (she mentions Dan Levy lol).
While I think it is well-written and quite absorbing, I don't think I ever felt connected enough to Baxter to be very concerned about how the story would end—and I was right to do so, because the ending felt a bit flat, in all honesty.
Regardless, I enjoyed the journey, and I also really enjoyed the author's note (she mentions Dan Levy lol).