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Train Man
'Brilliant... profoundly affecting. A beautiful story.' Ruth Jones, author of Never Greener
Michael is a broken man. He’s waiting for the 09.46 to Gloucester, so as to reach Crewe for 11.22: the platforms are long at Crewe, and he can walk easily into the path of a high-speed train to London. He’s planned it all: a net of tangerines (for when the refreshments trolley is cancelled), and a juice carton, full of neat whisky. To make identification swift, he has taped his last credit card to the inside of his shoe.
What Michael hasn’t factored in is a twelve-minute delay, which risks him missing his connection, and making new ones. He longs to silence the voices in his own head: ex-girlfriends, colleagues, and the memories from his schooldays, decades old. They all torment him. What Michael needs is somebody to listen.
A last, lonely journey becomes a lesson in the power of human connection, proving that no matter how bad things seem, it's never too late to get back on track.
Journeys intersect. People find hope when and where they least expect it. A missed connection needn’t be a disaster: it could just save your life.
Michael is a broken man. He’s waiting for the 09.46 to Gloucester, so as to reach Crewe for 11.22: the platforms are long at Crewe, and he can walk easily into the path of a high-speed train to London. He’s planned it all: a net of tangerines (for when the refreshments trolley is cancelled), and a juice carton, full of neat whisky. To make identification swift, he has taped his last credit card to the inside of his shoe.
What Michael hasn’t factored in is a twelve-minute delay, which risks him missing his connection, and making new ones. He longs to silence the voices in his own head: ex-girlfriends, colleagues, and the memories from his schooldays, decades old. They all torment him. What Michael needs is somebody to listen.
A last, lonely journey becomes a lesson in the power of human connection, proving that no matter how bad things seem, it's never too late to get back on track.
Journeys intersect. People find hope when and where they least expect it. A missed connection needn’t be a disaster: it could just save your life.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2019
11 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 14, 2019
You know sometimes a book needs to read to the end. I can understand why others have bailed out early and given poor reviews.
The start of the book is very dark and morose. Indeed it is a reflection of the state of mind of the central character, Michael. He is reduced to train man perhaps because of his purpose in catching a train to Crewe and his epitaph.
He is not in a good place but despite it all he has some empathy for others and his weaknesses in his relationships. It is quite chilling as he talks about his preparations to kill himself, visualises the act while being unable to control other thoughts. Ideas of self-worth and broken dreams, strained relationships and hints of an unhealthy sex life and possible abuse asa child. After a while other characters making different journeys are introduced that demonstrate alternative reasons for travel but also a burden of circumstances and opportunity.
This is a book that you have to persevere with to gain any benefit and reap the reward of fine writing and social comment.
It presents a number of issues incredibly well in such a left field way they hit home as your attention was elsewhere. It shows the problems associated with train travel and the difficulty of starting up a conversation with a random fellow traveller.
It is a story that pans out to share great sadness and deep joy. Moments of tearfulness and spontaneous laughter. The depravity of some people and the breadth and depth of human endurance. How a person can think that suicide is their only choice left and how talking sometimes is all that is needed. We are presented with a cross-section of society and in time we see these as well drawn characters. The writing is not that of an Alan Bennett but it resonates with me like some of his works or other playwrights. The words are most important aspect of this story.
I loved the constant harkening back to earlier thoughts and the references to early situations or glimpses into Michael’s life. I loved his honesty, especially when he faced up to the fraud he believes he has become.
It is a telling insight into a troubled psyche with as much uncertainty as there is clarity; where darkness threatens to conceal any speck of light or hint of a new day.
I loved they piece as a whole, the sense of a journey it allowed me to share and the range of emotions that were drawn from me.
The start of the book is very dark and morose. Indeed it is a reflection of the state of mind of the central character, Michael. He is reduced to train man perhaps because of his purpose in catching a train to Crewe and his epitaph.
He is not in a good place but despite it all he has some empathy for others and his weaknesses in his relationships. It is quite chilling as he talks about his preparations to kill himself, visualises the act while being unable to control other thoughts. Ideas of self-worth and broken dreams, strained relationships and hints of an unhealthy sex life and possible abuse asa child. After a while other characters making different journeys are introduced that demonstrate alternative reasons for travel but also a burden of circumstances and opportunity.
This is a book that you have to persevere with to gain any benefit and reap the reward of fine writing and social comment.
It presents a number of issues incredibly well in such a left field way they hit home as your attention was elsewhere. It shows the problems associated with train travel and the difficulty of starting up a conversation with a random fellow traveller.
It is a story that pans out to share great sadness and deep joy. Moments of tearfulness and spontaneous laughter. The depravity of some people and the breadth and depth of human endurance. How a person can think that suicide is their only choice left and how talking sometimes is all that is needed. We are presented with a cross-section of society and in time we see these as well drawn characters. The writing is not that of an Alan Bennett but it resonates with me like some of his works or other playwrights. The words are most important aspect of this story.
I loved the constant harkening back to earlier thoughts and the references to early situations or glimpses into Michael’s life. I loved his honesty, especially when he faced up to the fraud he believes he has become.
It is a telling insight into a troubled psyche with as much uncertainty as there is clarity; where darkness threatens to conceal any speck of light or hint of a new day.
I loved they piece as a whole, the sense of a journey it allowed me to share and the range of emotions that were drawn from me.
July 7, 2019
Many of us have probably had the experience of travelling by train and idly wondering about our fellow passengers: where are they going, what’s the purpose of their journey? We may also have had the experience of being drawn into polite, inconsequential conversations with fellow travellers or of watching passengers struggle with luggage, unpack and repack belongings, and so on. Michael’s journey, and those of the other characters in the book, is punctuated by just such encounters.
In Michael’s case they prompt him to construct elaborate and often farfetched stories about the people he meets; perhaps they might become friends or be present at momentous moments in each other’s lives. In fact, Michael’s thoughts often involve him creating fictional versions of his own life in which he is a much more successful, better version of himself. In reality he’s something of a loner who tends to be overly intolerant of petty bureaucracy and breaches of rules by others when his own life, arguably, is littered with more significant failings. This might make him a slightly irritating or unsympathetic character was it not for what the reader gradually learns about his traumatic past.
The sudden switches between Michael’s journey, his memories and the stories of the other characters do require a degree of alertness on the part of the reader. If you like, the same alertness required to control the trains arriving and departing at a busy railway junction.
Despite Michael’s careful planning of his intended journey, in the end it’s a decision taken on impulse that changes everything for him, and for the reader as well. What initially seemed a quite dark story takes on an altogether different hue.
Train Man is a thought-provoking story about chance encounters, missed opportunities, the kindness of strangers and why, sometimes, living in the moment is enough.
In Michael’s case they prompt him to construct elaborate and often farfetched stories about the people he meets; perhaps they might become friends or be present at momentous moments in each other’s lives. In fact, Michael’s thoughts often involve him creating fictional versions of his own life in which he is a much more successful, better version of himself. In reality he’s something of a loner who tends to be overly intolerant of petty bureaucracy and breaches of rules by others when his own life, arguably, is littered with more significant failings. This might make him a slightly irritating or unsympathetic character was it not for what the reader gradually learns about his traumatic past.
The sudden switches between Michael’s journey, his memories and the stories of the other characters do require a degree of alertness on the part of the reader. If you like, the same alertness required to control the trains arriving and departing at a busy railway junction.
Despite Michael’s careful planning of his intended journey, in the end it’s a decision taken on impulse that changes everything for him, and for the reader as well. What initially seemed a quite dark story takes on an altogether different hue.
Train Man is a thought-provoking story about chance encounters, missed opportunities, the kindness of strangers and why, sometimes, living in the moment is enough.
May 7, 2019
There is a readability to this tale of a sad sack who wants to walk under a moving train, but boy is it bleak. Stick to Mitch Albom, and the likes, for much more inspiring redemption stories. Not only is our 'hero' a suicidal idiot, he's also dreaming of his barista getting gang-raped, so why we're supposed to want him to fail in his mission is most debatable at times.
August 1, 2024
4.5 stars. Kept me interested the whole way.
May 5, 2019
Wanders and meanders all over the place jumping from suicidal and dark sexual thoughts to train station announcements. If there was a plot it got lost
January 2, 2020
2.5 *
July 22, 2019
As the reader steps onto the platform they meet Michael, 56 years old awaiting the 09:46 to Gloucester to reach Crewe for 11:22. We quickly learn he is anxious, a little awkward and has calculated everything down to the last second. With no return ticket needed, Crewe will be his last destination. Mulligan effortlessly immerses you in the moment, transfixed by Michael’s world as you travel alongside him desperate to discover what has brought him to such a final drastic decision. It’s heartbreaking to read as you inhale the sweet smell of tangerines while being startled by the abrupt train announcements. It’s First-Class writing, sorry, pardon the pun. Couldn’t help it. But it is.
As the narrative progresses we learn that Michael is miserable, broken and doesn’t want to get married. He has lost his job, is in a bottomless pit of debt and keeps being taunted by the unspeakable things he suffered in his school days. As his story slowly unfolds you become attached and wish that there was something you could do to help. To scream out, “Please, don’t do it!” It’s emotional and I felt helpless. Towards the end I saw him as an old friend, a friend that only wanted someone to listen and show him love.
On Michael’s journey to his ever changing fate, he meets a variety of characters. Some more friendly than others. Each has a purpose, whether it was to share experiences or help him find his way. We also had the pleasure of being able to change tracks between a few characters such as Maria and Morris. They always cleverly managed to end up connecting together again, getting back onboard without any further disruptions. Call it fate or coincidence, it makes you wonder how certain everyday encounters can alter your path and change your destiny.
There’s something other-worldly about trains offering small high-speed glimpses into other people’s lives. Trains may appear unreliable at times but that’s the brilliance of them. They have the power to change your whole day simply by being a few minutes late. Train Man captures this exquisitely. With each page turn, you are kept in suspense as to who or what awaits you at the next station.
I enjoyed visiting each station as they were characters of their own in the background, heightening the sights, sounds and smells to the story. Each one different and hosted a whole new opportunity of people for Michael to encounter. It also made me smile at how he viewed the announcements, that they were looking out for him and wished him a safe journey. An unknown voice reminding him to “Mind the gap” and “Stand back from the edge”. A parent figure, and given Michael saying he’s an orphan, it was quite endearing to read and demonstrated how alone this man must feel, he finds comfort in a voice recording.
This book handles depression, sexual abuses and suicide in a respectful and relatable way. It doesn’t gloss over it but puts the dark thoughts and horrifying truths out there, in print for all to read. As Michael makes his confession to Maria I was a wreck at his turmoil, I wanted to hug him and give him an even bigger bar of chocolate to gorge on. His brutal honesty of that’s how things are in the world made me distraught and see that you never truly know whats going on in someone’s head. One day they are happy go lucky with life, the next they have said goodbye to the world with a short drop and sudden stop. Mental health is so important and NEEDS to be talked about. I personally believe this book, this story will help a lot of lost, lonely people crying out silently for aid. It’s never too late to change trains. Never.
There were so many ways this book could have ended, countless possibilities. No spoilers here, you will just have to read and experience it for yourself. It’s worth it.
I give Train Man By Andrew Mulligan a Four out of Five paw rating.
This book is literally a lifesaver. It’s never, ever too late, if you’ve missed your connection just wait for the next one or take a chance and find a different route. It sends out an inspiring ,powerful message of not giving up, make the most of your situation and you never know, you may enjoy the unexpected detour.
As the narrative progresses we learn that Michael is miserable, broken and doesn’t want to get married. He has lost his job, is in a bottomless pit of debt and keeps being taunted by the unspeakable things he suffered in his school days. As his story slowly unfolds you become attached and wish that there was something you could do to help. To scream out, “Please, don’t do it!” It’s emotional and I felt helpless. Towards the end I saw him as an old friend, a friend that only wanted someone to listen and show him love.
On Michael’s journey to his ever changing fate, he meets a variety of characters. Some more friendly than others. Each has a purpose, whether it was to share experiences or help him find his way. We also had the pleasure of being able to change tracks between a few characters such as Maria and Morris. They always cleverly managed to end up connecting together again, getting back onboard without any further disruptions. Call it fate or coincidence, it makes you wonder how certain everyday encounters can alter your path and change your destiny.
There’s something other-worldly about trains offering small high-speed glimpses into other people’s lives. Trains may appear unreliable at times but that’s the brilliance of them. They have the power to change your whole day simply by being a few minutes late. Train Man captures this exquisitely. With each page turn, you are kept in suspense as to who or what awaits you at the next station.
I enjoyed visiting each station as they were characters of their own in the background, heightening the sights, sounds and smells to the story. Each one different and hosted a whole new opportunity of people for Michael to encounter. It also made me smile at how he viewed the announcements, that they were looking out for him and wished him a safe journey. An unknown voice reminding him to “Mind the gap” and “Stand back from the edge”. A parent figure, and given Michael saying he’s an orphan, it was quite endearing to read and demonstrated how alone this man must feel, he finds comfort in a voice recording.
This book handles depression, sexual abuses and suicide in a respectful and relatable way. It doesn’t gloss over it but puts the dark thoughts and horrifying truths out there, in print for all to read. As Michael makes his confession to Maria I was a wreck at his turmoil, I wanted to hug him and give him an even bigger bar of chocolate to gorge on. His brutal honesty of that’s how things are in the world made me distraught and see that you never truly know whats going on in someone’s head. One day they are happy go lucky with life, the next they have said goodbye to the world with a short drop and sudden stop. Mental health is so important and NEEDS to be talked about. I personally believe this book, this story will help a lot of lost, lonely people crying out silently for aid. It’s never too late to change trains. Never.
There were so many ways this book could have ended, countless possibilities. No spoilers here, you will just have to read and experience it for yourself. It’s worth it.
I give Train Man By Andrew Mulligan a Four out of Five paw rating.
This book is literally a lifesaver. It’s never, ever too late, if you’ve missed your connection just wait for the next one or take a chance and find a different route. It sends out an inspiring ,powerful message of not giving up, make the most of your situation and you never know, you may enjoy the unexpected detour.
December 30, 2021
“Sevgiye giden en kestirme yol bu muydu? Kendinizi o kadar hırpalıyordunuz ki birileri size sevecen davranmak zorunda kalıyordu...”
Bir romanı özetlemek bazen bu kadar kolay olabiliyor ama elbette hiçbir roman, özetinden daha azını da içermiyor.
Trendeki Adam bu açıdan, anlatması biraz güç bir eser. Karamsarlıktan kırılan fakat son ânına dek umuttan da vazgeçmeyen bir kitap mesela. Bunu aynı anda nasıl yaptığı meçhul. Zor iş. Sonra, sarhoş ve hatta bitik bir adamın zihnindeki tren rayları üstünde sallana sallana ilerlerken, bir yandan da gideceği noktayı örtbas etmeyi tam anlamıyla başaran ve merak unsurunu hep göz önünde tutan bir kitap. Biraz yıkıcı. Çokça yapıcı. Tuğlalar arasındaki harç ise “düşünce treni”nin vagonlarını dolduran içsel hezeyanlardan ve sürekli, durmadan yargılayan içsel yargıcın kırık kaleminden ibaret.
Yine de daha “düz” bir anlatımla, şunları söylemem şart gibi görünüyor: intiharın eşiğinde, her şeyini kaybettiğini düşünen, travmatik geçmişe sahip bir adam; Paramparça Aşklar ve Köpekler misali kesişen yollar; bol bol utanç duygusu, bol bol pişmanlık, bol bol keşke ama bol bol da umarım.
Bir de, şu paragraf çok güzel; maalesef çok güzel:
“Rüzgârdan kaçıp bir yere sığınmak gibiydi. Geri döndüğünüzde, âşık olduğunuz kişinin sizi beklediğini görmek gibiydi. Çocukken, bir şeyden korktuğunuzda veya herkesin uyuduğu bir evde uyanık ve yalnız olmanın sızısını hissettiğinizde, annenizin size kucağını açması gibiydi. Son treni kaçırdıktan ve yağmurda yürüdükten sonra nihayet evinize varmak gibiydi. Viski, onun yuvasıydı şimdi.”
Bir romanı özetlemek bazen bu kadar kolay olabiliyor ama elbette hiçbir roman, özetinden daha azını da içermiyor.
Trendeki Adam bu açıdan, anlatması biraz güç bir eser. Karamsarlıktan kırılan fakat son ânına dek umuttan da vazgeçmeyen bir kitap mesela. Bunu aynı anda nasıl yaptığı meçhul. Zor iş. Sonra, sarhoş ve hatta bitik bir adamın zihnindeki tren rayları üstünde sallana sallana ilerlerken, bir yandan da gideceği noktayı örtbas etmeyi tam anlamıyla başaran ve merak unsurunu hep göz önünde tutan bir kitap. Biraz yıkıcı. Çokça yapıcı. Tuğlalar arasındaki harç ise “düşünce treni”nin vagonlarını dolduran içsel hezeyanlardan ve sürekli, durmadan yargılayan içsel yargıcın kırık kaleminden ibaret.
Yine de daha “düz” bir anlatımla, şunları söylemem şart gibi görünüyor: intiharın eşiğinde, her şeyini kaybettiğini düşünen, travmatik geçmişe sahip bir adam; Paramparça Aşklar ve Köpekler misali kesişen yollar; bol bol utanç duygusu, bol bol pişmanlık, bol bol keşke ama bol bol da umarım.
Bir de, şu paragraf çok güzel; maalesef çok güzel:
“Rüzgârdan kaçıp bir yere sığınmak gibiydi. Geri döndüğünüzde, âşık olduğunuz kişinin sizi beklediğini görmek gibiydi. Çocukken, bir şeyden korktuğunuzda veya herkesin uyuduğu bir evde uyanık ve yalnız olmanın sızısını hissettiğinizde, annenizin size kucağını açması gibiydi. Son treni kaçırdıktan ve yağmurda yürüdükten sonra nihayet evinize varmak gibiydi. Viski, onun yuvasıydı şimdi.”
March 31, 2019
A very mixed bag of ramblings, conversations and observations. The main character, Micheal, sees no way out from the troubles of his life apart from suicide. He embarks on a journey through England via trains, changing his mind of what to do and where to go along the way. At times this book gets confusing between present day conversations and ramblings from the past. It is a slow read at times but is also an emotional and poignant reminder that life is not always as it seems.
June 25, 2019
‘But that’s who I am – that’s me. That’s why I had nowhere to go, and why… I was going nowhere.’
Michael MacMillan is a 56-year old man who arrives at his local train station to make an important journey. Armed with a juice carton filled with whisky, and with a bank card safely stored inside one of his shoes for identification, he is setting off for an important rendezvous with a particular train at Crewe – the one he intends to walk out in front of to end his life. With three failed relationships behind him, a series of disastrous jobs that have resulted in disciplinary investigations, and a whole pile of financial problems, what has he got left to live for?
Maria is a 30-something Filipino who has three jobs, a husband in the UAE, and six children back home being looked after by her mother. She is taking a precious couple of days to travel to climb Higher Lee Ridge, recommended to her by one of her patients in the hospice where she works.
Ayesha is travelling back to the family home carrying her brother’s guitar, which is to be given to a friend of the family. Her brother Kristin died three years ago, aged just thirteen.
Morris is a street hustler, a sixteen-year old kid turning tricks for cash and desperate. His contacts send him from one place to another and he ends up being beaten up and left without any money to travel home.
Andrew Mulligan’s novel takes these characters and weaves a story of connections and random meetings that, in its way, is a rail trip across contemporary Britain. Along the way we meet others who interact, however briefly, with one or more of these four. As Michael’s back story slowly reveals itself, we get a picture of a very damaged man, whose inability to commit to relationships and responsibility stem from childhood trauma. This is a story of trying to find redemption in the darkest places, of the simple random acts of kindness that bond us together as humans, and the pleasure – indeed the need – to just speak to a stranger. Michael’s journey gets ever more complicated, as he misses connections and gets further and further from his goal. There is a certain amount of black humour as his trip becomes something of a journey out of Dante or Bunyan, and he is prone to drifting in and out of memories as his life plays itself out along the way. He sees figures from his childhood where they are not, he imagines possible conversations that he could have with the people he meets, and he slowly gets more and more sozzled as he works his way through his whisky.
This is a slow-burner, but it is a journey worth making, and as the various different strands of the book join together you get a sense of just how connected we all are, somehow. The ‘themes’ are not shoved in your face, but as we slowly get to learn more about Michael, he turns from being a rather pathetic figure into a sympathetic, emotionally raw character. As he and Maria climb the ascent of Higher Lee Ridge together, he is forced to confront his demons amidst the rain and wind of a storm. OK, that’s a bit clichéd, and the ending is perhaps tied up a little too neatly, but this is a book with a generous heart and a simple message to all of us: talk to strangers on the train or the bus, carry out some random act of kindness, because you never know what effect it might have. Heart-warming and genuine, I definitely recommend this.
Michael MacMillan is a 56-year old man who arrives at his local train station to make an important journey. Armed with a juice carton filled with whisky, and with a bank card safely stored inside one of his shoes for identification, he is setting off for an important rendezvous with a particular train at Crewe – the one he intends to walk out in front of to end his life. With three failed relationships behind him, a series of disastrous jobs that have resulted in disciplinary investigations, and a whole pile of financial problems, what has he got left to live for?
Maria is a 30-something Filipino who has three jobs, a husband in the UAE, and six children back home being looked after by her mother. She is taking a precious couple of days to travel to climb Higher Lee Ridge, recommended to her by one of her patients in the hospice where she works.
Ayesha is travelling back to the family home carrying her brother’s guitar, which is to be given to a friend of the family. Her brother Kristin died three years ago, aged just thirteen.
Morris is a street hustler, a sixteen-year old kid turning tricks for cash and desperate. His contacts send him from one place to another and he ends up being beaten up and left without any money to travel home.
Andrew Mulligan’s novel takes these characters and weaves a story of connections and random meetings that, in its way, is a rail trip across contemporary Britain. Along the way we meet others who interact, however briefly, with one or more of these four. As Michael’s back story slowly reveals itself, we get a picture of a very damaged man, whose inability to commit to relationships and responsibility stem from childhood trauma. This is a story of trying to find redemption in the darkest places, of the simple random acts of kindness that bond us together as humans, and the pleasure – indeed the need – to just speak to a stranger. Michael’s journey gets ever more complicated, as he misses connections and gets further and further from his goal. There is a certain amount of black humour as his trip becomes something of a journey out of Dante or Bunyan, and he is prone to drifting in and out of memories as his life plays itself out along the way. He sees figures from his childhood where they are not, he imagines possible conversations that he could have with the people he meets, and he slowly gets more and more sozzled as he works his way through his whisky.
This is a slow-burner, but it is a journey worth making, and as the various different strands of the book join together you get a sense of just how connected we all are, somehow. The ‘themes’ are not shoved in your face, but as we slowly get to learn more about Michael, he turns from being a rather pathetic figure into a sympathetic, emotionally raw character. As he and Maria climb the ascent of Higher Lee Ridge together, he is forced to confront his demons amidst the rain and wind of a storm. OK, that’s a bit clichéd, and the ending is perhaps tied up a little too neatly, but this is a book with a generous heart and a simple message to all of us: talk to strangers on the train or the bus, carry out some random act of kindness, because you never know what effect it might have. Heart-warming and genuine, I definitely recommend this.
December 10, 2019
A day in a life
This is a very personal story and as such won’t appeal to everyone. I happened to enjoy it despite it being very disturbing in places.
It’s the tale of a man (Michael) who is taking a train journey to a particular destination and for a specific purpose (to say more would be a spoiler). It encompasses individuals who he meets on the way and also brings in memories from his past. His thoughts demonstrate that here is a very troubled man who has never coped well with life. He has rejected love on the basis that he is unworthy and wouldn’t be right for the other person and has now reached the end of his tether.
The narrative is at times rambling so the style is never very easy to cope with. I found it best to read and let the prose wash over me, hoping that I would emerge at the other end of the chapter with some better understanding of what was going on in his mind. The reader’s ability to understand how his day develops was not helped by the way in which other characters’ lives melded into his. Just as I had got used to that, the author introduced Michael as a lad, projected onto schoolboys he meets on his journey.
Much of what Michael felt chimed with me in so many different ways and I was left hoping that he would find a way through his very serious issues but could only see one outcome for him. I can understand why critics are fairly evenly split as to the book’s worth but for me it was an absorbing read which was also in many places uplifting.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book for review
This is a very personal story and as such won’t appeal to everyone. I happened to enjoy it despite it being very disturbing in places.
It’s the tale of a man (Michael) who is taking a train journey to a particular destination and for a specific purpose (to say more would be a spoiler). It encompasses individuals who he meets on the way and also brings in memories from his past. His thoughts demonstrate that here is a very troubled man who has never coped well with life. He has rejected love on the basis that he is unworthy and wouldn’t be right for the other person and has now reached the end of his tether.
The narrative is at times rambling so the style is never very easy to cope with. I found it best to read and let the prose wash over me, hoping that I would emerge at the other end of the chapter with some better understanding of what was going on in his mind. The reader’s ability to understand how his day develops was not helped by the way in which other characters’ lives melded into his. Just as I had got used to that, the author introduced Michael as a lad, projected onto schoolboys he meets on his journey.
Much of what Michael felt chimed with me in so many different ways and I was left hoping that he would find a way through his very serious issues but could only see one outcome for him. I can understand why critics are fairly evenly split as to the book’s worth but for me it was an absorbing read which was also in many places uplifting.
mr zorg
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book for review
August 17, 2020
I found this book quite difficult to read but was determined to finish it and I am glad that I persevered. The protagonist, Michael, is a very depressed man who plans to commit suicide by walking into the path of a train. His rambling thoughts show us how every part of his life seems to have gone wrong so he concludes that that life is not worth living. He recognises that his plan is selfish and others will suffer because of it but it doesn't stop him from wanting to proceed. It went on just a little too long in this vein and I desperately wanted the story to conclude. Thankfully other characters were introduced and added more dimensions to the story, linking their train journeys with Michael's. It was when his journey and that of Maria became intertwined that I became more interested in this sad man's tale. Ultimately he was able to open up to someone, who showed they cared, and his eyes were opened to other possibilities. I then raced through the book and felt glad that I had not given up on it because it showed that however low you become, talking can ease a troubled mind and that there is always hope. I still think it could have been shorter because some of the earlier chapters were very repetitive and this is what almost lost me. However, all things considered, a thought provoking book.
August 26, 2025
I picked this up completely at random, with no recommendations and no chance to check its rating online, and I was pleasantly surprised.
What I loved most was how the story wove together so many different lives and experiences, showing how one person, Michael, can touch others in meaningful ways. It is ultimately a positive and uplifting book, and I really appreciated the sense of hope and forward movement throughout.
Michael’s childhood traumas are handled with sensitivity, and it is powerful to see how he carries those scars into adulthood while still finding ways to cope and grow. His reflections on past moments in his life felt vivid and real, and I especially enjoyed how he learned to step into other people’s shoes because of what he had lived through himself.
In many ways it reminded me of A Man Called Ove, especially in the way both characters wrestle with the idea of ending it all. I loved A Man Called Ove too, and while Ove and Michael are completely different characters on the surface, at their core they are both soft-hearted men who find meaning through the connections they build with others.
The ending was perfect, hopeful, and true to the journey the book takes you on.
A moving, thoughtful, and unexpectedly inspiring read. I loved it.
What I loved most was how the story wove together so many different lives and experiences, showing how one person, Michael, can touch others in meaningful ways. It is ultimately a positive and uplifting book, and I really appreciated the sense of hope and forward movement throughout.
Michael’s childhood traumas are handled with sensitivity, and it is powerful to see how he carries those scars into adulthood while still finding ways to cope and grow. His reflections on past moments in his life felt vivid and real, and I especially enjoyed how he learned to step into other people’s shoes because of what he had lived through himself.
In many ways it reminded me of A Man Called Ove, especially in the way both characters wrestle with the idea of ending it all. I loved A Man Called Ove too, and while Ove and Michael are completely different characters on the surface, at their core they are both soft-hearted men who find meaning through the connections they build with others.
The ending was perfect, hopeful, and true to the journey the book takes you on.
A moving, thoughtful, and unexpectedly inspiring read. I loved it.
February 27, 2020
I have just finished reading Andrew Mulligan’s Train Man. I don’t normally write reviews but I wanted to pass on that I thought this was a brilliant read.
Wonderfully written, and a beautiful story. Full of vivid images and told throughout with warmth, compassion and a very human touch. The characters had incredible depth and great dignity. Two challenging themes are treated with sensitivity and genuinely inspired optimism.
It wasn’t a book I couldn’t put down, but rather one I wanted to keep setting to one side, so that I could absorb the imagery and take in what it was telling me. I didn’t want the journey to end, but, when it did, I felt the better for having shared it.
This was Andrew Mulligan's first adult novel - I hope there will be more to follow.
Wonderfully written, and a beautiful story. Full of vivid images and told throughout with warmth, compassion and a very human touch. The characters had incredible depth and great dignity. Two challenging themes are treated with sensitivity and genuinely inspired optimism.
It wasn’t a book I couldn’t put down, but rather one I wanted to keep setting to one side, so that I could absorb the imagery and take in what it was telling me. I didn’t want the journey to end, but, when it did, I felt the better for having shared it.
This was Andrew Mulligan's first adult novel - I hope there will be more to follow.
May 21, 2021
14.05-15.05.2021
Kendimize, geçmişimize, pişmanlıklarımıza ile hesaplaşmalarımız bir yolculuğa benzer. Yazar da böyle düşünmüş olmalı ki ana karakterimizi bir trende yolculuğa çıkarmış. Her bir istasyon veya her bir vagonda yepyeni sorgulamalar yeni düşünceler tek amacın bu hayatı bitirmek olduğunu düşündüğü noktada daha da sıkı sarılmak hayata.
Hayat biraz da vazgeçmeme savaşı. Hep bir mücadele. Bazen havlu attım derken silkinip yeniden başlama. İşte bütün bu düşünceler çok güzel bir kurguya misafir oluyor. Bi şans vermelisiniz.
Keyifli okumalar.
#readingismycardio #aslihanneokudu #okudumbitti #2021okumalarım #okuryorumu #kitaptavsiyesi #neokudum #delidolukitap #trendekiadam #andrewmulligan
Kendimize, geçmişimize, pişmanlıklarımıza ile hesaplaşmalarımız bir yolculuğa benzer. Yazar da böyle düşünmüş olmalı ki ana karakterimizi bir trende yolculuğa çıkarmış. Her bir istasyon veya her bir vagonda yepyeni sorgulamalar yeni düşünceler tek amacın bu hayatı bitirmek olduğunu düşündüğü noktada daha da sıkı sarılmak hayata.
Hayat biraz da vazgeçmeme savaşı. Hep bir mücadele. Bazen havlu attım derken silkinip yeniden başlama. İşte bütün bu düşünceler çok güzel bir kurguya misafir oluyor. Bi şans vermelisiniz.
Keyifli okumalar.
#readingismycardio #aslihanneokudu #okudumbitti #2021okumalarım #okuryorumu #kitaptavsiyesi #neokudum #delidolukitap #trendekiadam #andrewmulligan
June 12, 2019
Michael has decided that today he will take his own life. Maria is working three jobs and sending money home to her family. They are two strangers, with little in common, whose paths meet on this day. There is a lot of darkness in this book before we reach for the light. Michael, in particular, is haunted by his past. But it is only at the end of the readers journey that we can appreciate the qualities of this book and how random everything can be and that we can find hope even at the darkest times. I'm very glad that I've read this book.
November 14, 2021
2.5 stars. I found this an interesting read. A pretty bleak read to be honest but I enjoyed the interaction of the other characters. I found it quite clever how each character was woven into the story. Have you ever sat on a train and people watched? Wondering what is going on in each person's life? In a way you can with this book but it is quite dark. If we could all show some kindness to one another, you just never know what someone is going through x x
July 4, 2019
I wasn’t too sure what to expect from this book, but I was pleasantly surprised about how much I enjoyed reading train man. Not only do you hear about Micheal’s story, we get to know some of the other people that are riding the train with Micheal and we hear their stories too. It is a story that really makes you think, everyone has their own story and not to judge a book by its cover.
January 27, 2020
I wanted to like it but there were too many creepy things about the main character - following a young women in the countryside, imagining a waitress being raped... I felt that the rambling, although annoying, added to the story and the loneliness and despair of Michael, but the ending felt rushed, and overall I just didn't seem to connect with this book.
May 23, 2020
I picked this up as it was reviewed as an uplifting read - I found it anything but - really difficult and upsetting topics. The ending was a bit unbelievable although it was nice to think things had worked out well for Michael on this occasion. There were good things about this novel but it is depressing.
September 19, 2020
I just loved it. I was never touched more by someone's thoughts than Andrew Mulligans through Michael M.
It is a profoundly affecting and beautiful story, which takes you on a rollercoaster through Englands railway system.
With great detail and love for (for most people) uninteresting side stories, but which make this book so very real and still imagenative.
It is a profoundly affecting and beautiful story, which takes you on a rollercoaster through Englands railway system.
With great detail and love for (for most people) uninteresting side stories, but which make this book so very real and still imagenative.
April 25, 2019
An unusual story that is well written. Unfortunately it becomes very repetitive and rambling as the story seems to drag on to the finale.
I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I received a copy of this novel from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
June 24, 2019
Unfortunately I couldn't get into this book at all, it seemed quite rambling and I struggled to find a narrative. I notice the author said he originally wrote it for radio and with different voices it may have worked better.
Thank you to netgalley and Random house for an advance copy of this book.
Thank you to netgalley and Random house for an advance copy of this book.
December 31, 2019
I found this book hard going at times, getting confused between the different characters and where some of the internal thoughts of Michael (the main character) were going. However, there was something that made me want to continue. It was worth it!
August 22, 2023
I love Andre Milligan's style of writing. It's been the first book in a long long while that I practically flew through. It was very touching at times and reminded me of struggles in both my life and the lives of loved ones.
July 2, 2019
Not my cup of tea. I didn't connect to the characters and sometimes found the style of writing a bit confusing.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
September 24, 2019
Mmmmm🤔 I patiently waited for a dramatic or intelligent thought provoking end. It didn’t happen for me. Maybe it should have stayed a script for radio.
November 3, 2019
Slow start great finish
July 30, 2020
Oh wow, what a journey 📚❤📚
September 7, 2020
(2/10) Well written but not for me.
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