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3.08 AVERAGE
3.08 AVERAGE
Just no. Like nothing happens in this book. I was mad and annoyed by the gaslighting boyfriend for 80% of the book and 20% enjoying the side characters who meant nothing to the story.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
Platform Seven is, for me, a hard book to review. It sounds strange when you try to explain it to someone: a novel set largely in Peterborough train station. However, it’s so much more than that (of course!); I found the novel completely gripping and finished it feeling hugely moved.
I don’t want to give too much away but we learn very early on that Lisa is now a ghost of her former self, stuck at Peterborough Train Station where she died. The start of the book took a while for me to really feel gripped – it’s fairly slow to start with, a lot of observations from Lisa but, as she’s a ghost, that’s all they are: observations, and I don’t usually tend to go for paranormal elements in a novel. Lisa can’t interact with the people around her, so it makes for limited action early on. However, about a quarter of the way through, we start to really unpick the lead up to her death, and we see that her relationship with boyfriend Matty was hugely problematic and no doubt led to her death in some way – but exactly how?
Platform Seven is a really compelling story of an abusive relationship, told in a quite unique way. The way that Lisa and Matty’s relationship starts going downhill is no doubt the way it happens for many people – that creeping, insidious abuse that edges its way into your relationship and suddenly it’s there pretty much all of the time. Lisa knows she needs to get away from Matty, but general life – stressful jobs, co-habiting, the promise that a holiday might fix things – gets in the way. Although I was screaming at Lisa to get away, it’s never that simple. The story highlights that people in abusive relationships can be fully aware and want the relationship to end, but actually finishing it is another matter, especially when everyone else thinks your partner is perfect.
A lot of the novel focuses on their changing relationship, which I’m glad about as I found that the most gripping, but I also really loved the parts about other people based in or around the station – the police trying to work out what happened regarding several suicides that have taken place in the station; one of the security guards, Dalmar, living a lonely life; Lisa’s parents, who only appear a small amount but really have an impact in their grief over their daughter’s apparent suicide. It’s not my usual pick of a mystery/ thriller, and I’ll tell you now – there aren’t any big dramatic reveals, if you’re expecting those, but the book doesn’t need that.
Platform Seven is beautifully written. The details, characters, thoughts and feelings all created a book that had me feeling angry, desperate and emotional at different times. I felt on the brink of tears finishing the novel and had absolutely sunk into the writing. I could have read on for so much longer – I really enjoyed previous novels by Louise Doughty but this one had me thinking about it for long after I finished it.
Platform Seven is, for me, a hard book to review. It sounds strange when you try to explain it to someone: a novel set largely in Peterborough train station. However, it’s so much more than that (of course!); I found the novel completely gripping and finished it feeling hugely moved.
I don’t want to give too much away but we learn very early on that Lisa is now a ghost of her former self, stuck at Peterborough Train Station where she died. The start of the book took a while for me to really feel gripped – it’s fairly slow to start with, a lot of observations from Lisa but, as she’s a ghost, that’s all they are: observations, and I don’t usually tend to go for paranormal elements in a novel. Lisa can’t interact with the people around her, so it makes for limited action early on. However, about a quarter of the way through, we start to really unpick the lead up to her death, and we see that her relationship with boyfriend Matty was hugely problematic and no doubt led to her death in some way – but exactly how?
Platform Seven is a really compelling story of an abusive relationship, told in a quite unique way. The way that Lisa and Matty’s relationship starts going downhill is no doubt the way it happens for many people – that creeping, insidious abuse that edges its way into your relationship and suddenly it’s there pretty much all of the time. Lisa knows she needs to get away from Matty, but general life – stressful jobs, co-habiting, the promise that a holiday might fix things – gets in the way. Although I was screaming at Lisa to get away, it’s never that simple. The story highlights that people in abusive relationships can be fully aware and want the relationship to end, but actually finishing it is another matter, especially when everyone else thinks your partner is perfect.
A lot of the novel focuses on their changing relationship, which I’m glad about as I found that the most gripping, but I also really loved the parts about other people based in or around the station – the police trying to work out what happened regarding several suicides that have taken place in the station; one of the security guards, Dalmar, living a lonely life; Lisa’s parents, who only appear a small amount but really have an impact in their grief over their daughter’s apparent suicide. It’s not my usual pick of a mystery/ thriller, and I’ll tell you now – there aren’t any big dramatic reveals, if you’re expecting those, but the book doesn’t need that.
Platform Seven is beautifully written. The details, characters, thoughts and feelings all created a book that had me feeling angry, desperate and emotional at different times. I felt on the brink of tears finishing the novel and had absolutely sunk into the writing. I could have read on for so much longer – I really enjoyed previous novels by Louise Doughty but this one had me thinking about it for long after I finished it.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I enjoyed this book, even though it wasn't what I was expecting. It has been marketed as a horror mystery focused on two people who died at the same train station 18 months apart. But there is actually very little focus on the possible connection between the deaths.
I would describe this book as a domestic drama rather than a thriller. The main character is Lisa, the 1st of the 2 deaths at the train station, who is now a ghost and is telling us the story of her life. Most of the novel is about Lisa and her abusive boyfriend Matthew. There's plenty of gaslighting, name calling, belittling, etc., but very little mystery.
The writing was really good. It was immersive and emotional and paced well. But there were some plot holes that were confusing or just too convenient. For example, There was an explanation in the book, but I wasn't satisfied with it.
If you like domestic dramas, difficult relationships, and slow burners, you might enjoy this book. If you're looking for a creepy ghost thriller, this isn't it.
I would describe this book as a domestic drama rather than a thriller. The main character is Lisa, the 1st of the 2 deaths at the train station, who is now a ghost and is telling us the story of her life. Most of the novel is about Lisa and her abusive boyfriend Matthew. There's plenty of gaslighting, name calling, belittling, etc., but very little mystery.
The writing was really good. It was immersive and emotional and paced well. But there were some plot holes that were confusing or just too convenient. For example,
Spoiler
at the beginning of the book, Lisa has no memory from when she was alive and can't leave the train station. But then, she just starts remembering and is suddenly able to leave the station.If you like domestic dramas, difficult relationships, and slow burners, you might enjoy this book. If you're looking for a creepy ghost thriller, this isn't it.
I read Apple Tree Yard and thoroughly enjoyed it. When I saw this book, which also feautured 'ghostly goings on' it was swiftly added to my wishlist, then read.
This book manages to be both a thriller, and a literary piece of fiction. We're swiftly introduced to a ghost that roams Peterborough train station. She doesn't know who she is or what happened to her. The story then switches between the events of the train station (with other linked events) and the months leading up to the girl's death.
I was immediately swept into this story and its characters. Each of them had depth and I wanted to get to know them all, especially Dalmar. In fact, characterisation is where Louise Doughty really flourishes. The middle section of the story details a particular relationship (I don't want to give anything away), that was particularly uncomfortable to read, in that it was so well written. I could feel myself talking to the characters to try and warn them, not that it would have done any good.
I really loved this book. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, because of the subject matter, but I had to find out what happened and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend.
This book manages to be both a thriller, and a literary piece of fiction. We're swiftly introduced to a ghost that roams Peterborough train station. She doesn't know who she is or what happened to her. The story then switches between the events of the train station (with other linked events) and the months leading up to the girl's death.
I was immediately swept into this story and its characters. Each of them had depth and I wanted to get to know them all, especially Dalmar. In fact, characterisation is where Louise Doughty really flourishes. The middle section of the story details a particular relationship (I don't want to give anything away), that was particularly uncomfortable to read, in that it was so well written. I could feel myself talking to the characters to try and warn them, not that it would have done any good.
I really loved this book. I wouldn't say I enjoyed it, because of the subject matter, but I had to find out what happened and couldn't put it down. I highly recommend.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Violence, Gaslighting
I read this book for the Literally Dead Book Club and I went into it thinking that it was a mystery/thriller. It's kinda of not?
We follow Lisa, a ghost who is rambling about her non-life and then starts to remember what happened to her. From there it's very hair-pullingly frustrating and doesn't let up in the "can you hear me screaming at you?!" department.
I liked the paranormal aspect, but was expecting twists or maybe revenge. Overall, I felt very let down. I liked the narrator and I paid for the audiobook (because it wasn't on Hoopla or Libby), which are the only reasons I stayed for it.
le sigh.
We follow Lisa, a ghost who is rambling about her non-life and then starts to remember what happened to her. From there it's very hair-pullingly frustrating and doesn't let up in the "can you hear me screaming at you?!" department.
I liked the paranormal aspect, but was expecting twists or maybe revenge. Overall, I felt very let down. I liked the narrator and I paid for the audiobook (because it wasn't on Hoopla or Libby), which are the only reasons I stayed for it.
le sigh.
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse