Reviews

The Sleeping Car Porter is an odd little book. Mainly because it’s all over the place. Most of it is based in reality but then there are surreal bits and at the same time the book does discuss issues but not fully. It’s the 1930’s and Baxter is a porter on a train. The book takes place within a four day journey. On the way, we learn about Baxter’s life, the life of the passengers on the carriage Baxter is on and a bit about the other porters too. The main protagonist is Baxter. As I said the The Sleeping Car Porter crams in quite a few topics: homosexuality , race relations, the power of friendship, urban life versus rural, PTSD and general attitudes towards Afro-Americans in post WWI Canada. The problem is that it’s all fleeting so when an interesting topic arrives, it goes quickly. Personally. this did not ruin the story in anyway but I do wish that more time was given, Saying that some of the friendships, especially Baxter’s and a little girl is developed well. One reviewer compared The Sleeping Car Porter to a Wes Anderson film and that’s true. There’s that Anderson sense of whimsy and boyishness, in fact I could picture Baxter wearing a suit matching the train’s interior. The Sleeping Car Porter, despite it’s flaws is a fun, feel good read and like the train setting, whizzes by. Definitely not unforgettably though.

mold_munchr's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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