Book Review - The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony

 

 

The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony is about a group of Irish women who demand control of their bodies and the effects this has on modern women. In 1969 in Dublin, Maura had just married the man of her dreams. Dr. Christy Davenport is of a woman's dreams and a pillar of society. He is charismatic, handsome, and has a great job. Shortly after tying the knot, Maura noticed her husband has a darker side that she didn’t know about. He has a vicious temper, and he is quick to anger and turns violent. While Maura wants to have a child, she worries that her child might never be safe around her husband.

Maura befriends one of her husband’s patients, Bernie. Bernie is a mother of three and she learns that if she conceives again, that her health complications might be fatal. Bernie loves her husband and wants to be intimate with him but they both fear the consequences if she ends up pregnant again.
In Dublin 2023, Saoirse is a nurse who is engaged to a fiancée whom she loves. He wants kids, but Saoirse is unsure if she wants kids or if she will ever be ready for kids. After a tense conversation, Saoirse decides to go for a walk and crosses paths with one of the women who made this choice even possible for her.

The novel was an entertaining and poignant read. It is still relevant today as women all over the world still struggle to maintain control of their bodies and their family planning decisions. The novel is told from alternating points of view and time. It was interesting reading the point of view of all the women, how different each of their circumstances were, and the reasons why they each didn’t want to have children. While the story didn’t have any twists or unexpected moments, I found the book to be a great read, and it kept me engaged to read more about these strong women. It also served as a reminder that if you stand up for what you believe in, change can happen.