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A review by bethreadsandnaps
Iona Iverson's Rules for Commuting by Clare Pooley
3.75
3.75 stars
This one took a bit for me to get into. I was a bit flummoxed by the Iona character, probably because I could never get a good read from her. Iona is in her mid-50s and is an advice columnist at a magazine. And she's starting to be "phased out" at work. Her eccentricities (comes across as being a bit on the spectrum or "stuck in her ways" with all her rules) serve as the impetus for the train riders on her same train at the same time to associate after one of the train riders (Piers) chokes one morning. This group comes together to support one another in awesome, admirable, and a bit unrealistic ways in a cozy uplit package.
We learn quite a bit into the story that Iona's nickname was Iona Yacht (say it!) and that she was a society girl in her 20s. So an influencer in - let me do the math - the 1990s. The 1990s come across as the 1960s, and I'm confused at why Iona comes across as 80 and stodgy when she was nothing like that in her 20s. And why does Iona now have no social life other than her wife Bea? People's personalities don't fundamentally change. Anyway, I struggled with Iona's character.
Now onto what I really liked. When Iona became to be more of a background character, I really got into it. My favorite plot line was Emmie's, and it reminded me of my past. The only thing, though, was that her plot line was hinted at early on but didn't come to fruition until late (maybe too late?) in the book. My second favorite plot line was Piers's, and his was more equitably distributed throughout the book. Sanjay was endearing although he didn't have too much to do. Also liked Martha and how her plot line weaved with several of the characters, including Iona herself.
I loved the strangers coming together to support one another vibe, which is Clare Pooley's MO.
I feel like I tried to analyze this one when I should have just gone along for the train ride. So I recommend just taking the train ride with Iona and her new buddies instead of thinking too hard about it.
This one took a bit for me to get into. I was a bit flummoxed by the Iona character, probably because I could never get a good read from her. Iona is in her mid-50s and is an advice columnist at a magazine. And she's starting to be "phased out" at work. Her eccentricities (comes across as being a bit on the spectrum or "stuck in her ways" with all her rules) serve as the impetus for the train riders on her same train at the same time to associate after one of the train riders (Piers) chokes one morning. This group comes together to support one another in awesome, admirable, and a bit unrealistic ways in a cozy uplit package.
We learn quite a bit into the story that Iona's nickname was Iona Yacht (say it!) and that she was a society girl in her 20s. So an influencer in - let me do the math - the 1990s. The 1990s come across as the 1960s, and I'm confused at why Iona comes across as 80 and stodgy when she was nothing like that in her 20s. And why does Iona now have no social life other than her wife Bea? People's personalities don't fundamentally change. Anyway, I struggled with Iona's character.
Now onto what I really liked. When Iona became to be more of a background character, I really got into it. My favorite plot line was Emmie's, and it reminded me of my past. The only thing, though, was that her plot line was hinted at early on but didn't come to fruition until late (maybe too late?) in the book. My second favorite plot line was Piers's, and his was more equitably distributed throughout the book. Sanjay was endearing although he didn't have too much to do. Also liked Martha and how her plot line weaved with several of the characters, including Iona herself.
I loved the strangers coming together to support one another vibe, which is Clare Pooley's MO.
I feel like I tried to analyze this one when I should have just gone along for the train ride. So I recommend just taking the train ride with Iona and her new buddies instead of thinking too hard about it.