A review by bookishplantmom
The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr

informative lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

I really enjoyed this novel. The story comes together through a series of vignettes, accumulating over a few days as the train makes its way across the country. I thought having the story unfold in this way was compelling. Baxter is a great MC and seeing his mental state shift progressively as the run goes was engaging. I felt for him and wanted him to reach his goal. I thought the book offered a very important perspective on the realities of railway porters and the intricacies they had to navigate given the social context of de facto segregation and racism in Canada at the time. A great book!
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