Reviews

The Sleeping Car Porter, by Suzette Mayr

Only show reviews with written explanations

kayleypew's review

Go to review page

challenging dark 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? No

2.0

addicted_two_words's review

Go to review page

reflective 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

2.0

sjklass's review against another edition

Go to review page

informative sad medium-paced

Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.5

Nameless, even in the title of this novel, R T Baxter is on-duty virtually 24 hours a day on a 1930’s cross Canada train journey. Nodding off standing up, so exhausted from unending menial work and lack of sleep Baxter takes to holding up his eyelids with his thumbs and eventually experiences hallucinations. Expected to be both ever-available to passengers every whim and yet simultaneously invisible to their transgressions, Baxter is constantly fearful of receiving demerits that could get him fired. It’s all so sad for a closeted gay man who just wants to earn enough for tuition to attend dentistry school.

Except that this novel is sometimes so damn funny. Baxter’s observations of the quirky, asinine, annoying passengers whom he, in his mind, gives nicknames like Blancmange. Mango. Spider. Pulp and Paper. Punch and Judy. give this otherwise somber novel some levity.

2022’s Giller Prize Winner gives voice to and highlights the working conditions of black train porters in Canada.

biblio_annie's review

Go to review page

hopeful reflective medium-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? No

4.0

The book is mainly driven by the main character's desire to save enough money to attend dentistry school. His focus on this goal and his interest in the field of dentistry make for some lovely imagery throughout the book. The narration is strongly characterised by his perception of people via their teeth.