If you read one new book for Women's History Month...
- missybigskybooks
- Mar 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Apr 1
Title: The Women of Platform Two
Author: Laura Anthony
Publisher: Gallery Books
Genre: Historical Fiction
{Thank you @gallerybooks + @simon.audio for the #gifted copies. This book is told from 3 POV’s and what a great choice to make it 3 different narrators, as well. It’s read by Jessica Regan, Shakira Shute & Maeve Smyth; I loved the accented voices since this book takes place in Dublin.}
If you read one new book for March’s Women’s History Month, make it The Women on Platform Two by Laura Anthony. Additionally this is an Irish author and setting, so perfect for upcoming St. Patrick’s Day.
✅Heartbreaking
✅Haunting
✅Powerful
✅Women Claiming Control
✅Inspired By A True Story
✅A Timely Story
“What is wrong with this country, eh. Well, it’s about to change ladies. We’re going to see to that, aren’t we. We’ll knock on every politician’s door. We’ll march on every street corner. We won’t stop until women’s voices are heard. Enough is enough.”
Did you know if that in 1969 women of Dublin still had very few rights including over their bodies? They couldn’t buy contraceptives or refuse sex with their husbands. They had no rights in their home, even if they were being abused.
“Our weapons are pens and paper. And our words are our ammunition.”
Maura working at a department store job meets and falls in love with Dr. Christy Davenport. It was a whirlwind romance and they quickly get married. Maura feels so joyous and is eager to start a family. Until as soon as they say, “ I Do”, her husband’s viscous temper emerges. She becomes gaslit by the abuse. She misses being able to work. She fears her home may never be safe for a child.
“The stakes of sex are so much higher for a woman than a man.”
She has so few interactions and things to do, other than keep her home clean and husband happy. She becomes friends with her butcher’s wife, Bernie. They become best friends fast and Maura knows she would do anything for Bernie and her family. Even help Bernie avoid health complications if she should even become pregnant again.
The story includes a present day character and POV of a woman, Saoirse, engaged and unsure if she ever wants to have children. She misses her stop on the train and is seated next to Maura who tells her the story of the day women risked everything to go to Northern Ireland, where it was legal for women to buy contraceptions, and bring them back to Dublin. Risked everything for women to have choices like she does.
“I would change the world for you if I could.”
I loved the way the author chose to write about history though a story on a train ride. The same train ride that changed everything! This story is a reminder it wasn’t that long ago where women didn’t have rights and we are more powerful when we support each other and band together for what we believe and what is right.
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