About the Author

Clare Pooley graduated from Newnham College, Cambridge and spent twenty years in the heady world of advertising, before becoming a full-time writer.

Clare's dark but hilarious memoir, The Sober Diaries, has helped thousands of people around the world to quit drinking.

The Authenticity Project, Clare's debut novel, was a BBC Radio 2 bookclub pick, a New York Times bestseller, the winner of the RNA debut novel award and a Babelio award. It's been translated into 29 languages.

The People on Platform 5 is Clare's second novel, inspired by her fascination with inventing stories about her fellow passengers on her commute to work.

Clare lives in Fulham, London with her husband, three children and two border terriers.

Reviews

Utterly gorgeous. A proper good pick-me-up of a book
*Ruth Jones*

Another totally original, thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying book from Clare Pooley. Full of original characters and wisdom, I absolutely loved it
*Katie Fforde*

A glorious triumph of a novel; warm, funny and moving, with an unforgettable cast of characters
*Rosie Walsh*

Insightful, funny and full of warmth and relatable characters. A brilliant read
*Sarah Morgan*

A gloriously entertaining and completely addictive read. The People on Platform 5 will be sure to steal your heart. Clare Pooley's writing is astute, wickedly funny, clever and charming. I adore this book
*Hazel Prior*

This book tackles so many interesting themes, all with Clare's trademark humour, wonderful writing, and vibrant, loveable characters - Feel-good fiction at its best. It almost made me miss the commute
*Sophie Cousens, author of This Time Next Year*

A joyous and uplifting story about unexpected friendships, and the chance connections that can change our lives
*Debbie Johnson*

An uplifting and heart-warming book that champions friendship and community
*Libby Page*

I loved meeting the people on platform 5 - a delightful story about connection and friendship in a disconnected world
*Marianne Cronin, author of The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot*

A 1st class journey. Just wonderful
*Beth Morrey, author of Saving Missy*

A magnificent, heart-warming novel celebrating the power of human connection - it's an absolute joy
*Freya Sampson, author of The Last Library*

Uplifting, joyful & funny, yet also poignant, perceptive & clever
*Tracy Rees*

This utterly joyful novel takes you on an unforgettable journey with characters you wish you could meet in real life... I loved The People on Platform 5 even more than The Authenticity Project - it's glorious
*Eva Carter*

This book is bursting with the kindness of strangers, and I was bursting with hope by the end of it
*Jenny Bayliss*

Clare Pooley is the queen of feel-good fiction. She takes relatable situations and characters and somehow makes them magical. The People of Platform 5 is funny, tender and true-to-life while also being thought-provoking. It was magnificent and a joy to read
*Phaedra Patrick*

The People on Platform 5 is nothing short of sheer and utter delight. It presents the best of humanity - the sweet and bashful kindness and generosity that lives in all of us. I can't think of a more joyful book!
*Jesse Q. Sutanto, bestselling author of Dial A For Aunties*

Heartwarming, funny, a delicious dive into the profound and ridiculous modern world in which we live. Clare Pooley reminds us why we need each other
*Tara Conklin, New York Times bestselling author*

Pooley delivers not only acerbic, enchanting Iona but a compelling, tangled cast of quirky, complicated characters so engaging, it's enough to make you miss crowded commuter trains
*Laurie Frankel, New York Times bestselling author*

This feel-good ensemble story will bring joy to readers who loved Anxious People and Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine-not to mention fans of quirky London-set fare such as Ted Lasso...a warm, fun pick-me-up of a book
*Mary Laura Philpott*

Clare Pooley has found a delightful way to bring home the point that we need each other
*Kelly Corrigan, New York Times bestselling author*

Leaving you with that fuzzy feeling you want from a feel-good book
*Woman & Home*

Entertaining and uplifting
*Good Housekeeping*

Filled with delightful characters... this heart-warming book explores relationships and the dilemmas of everyday life
*Candis*

Tackling many relevant issues, it's a heart-warming read
*Heat*

Poignant, totally joyful, this is a great read
*Fabulous*

A feel-good read, with great characters to care about, it takes current issues seriously but adds plenty of humour
*Choice*

[It leaves] the reader with that fuzzy feeling you want from a feel-good book. Fans of her previous hit, The Authenticity Project, will not be disappointed
*Woman's Weekly*

A feel-good tale about the power of real-life connections
*Sun*

You can always rely on Pooley to deliver not just wonderful, lively characters but a story that leaves you feeling uplifted and hopeful
*CultureFly*

A celebration of multi-generational friendships and human resilience – and a lesson in not jumping to assumptions…There are laugh-out-loud moments and poignant ones too…it really brightened my day
*Good Housekeeping*