A review by serendipitysbooks
The Reader on the 6.27 by Jean-Paul Didierlaurent

hopeful lighthearted reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

 The Reader on the 6:27 is Guylain, a rather lonely man. He lives alone with his goldfish, has a job - and colleagues - he hates pulping books, and seems to have just one friend, a former colleague who lost his legs in a horrific workplace accident. But he loves to read, surreptitiously rescues pages from his job and reads them aloud on his daily commute. One day he discovers a USB stick on the train. He checks its files hoping for clues as to its owner. What he finds are journal entries from Julie, a young woman who works as a public lavatory attendant. He is entranced by her writing and what he learns about her. Encouraged and prompted by his friend he manages tracks her down. While the romance element was neither large, nor of my favourite sort, nor particularly believable I did enjoy this book.  
I have a soft spot for genuine characters who are stuck on the margins of society. I’m also a sucker for stories which emphasise the power of books, stories and words, especially their power to connect people, to bring them together. In those aspects this short sweet, almost fable like book delivered.