The Women on Platform Two

By: Laura Anthony

Narrated by: Jessica Regan, Shakira Shute, Maeve Smyth

In 1970s Dublin, all forms of contraception are strictly forbidden, but an intrepid group of women will risk everything to change that in this “heartbreaking, powerful, and ultimately uplifting” (Amanda Geard, author of The Midnight House) novel inspired by a little-known true story.

Dublin, 1969: Maura has just married Dr. Christy Davenport and they look forward to growing their family. But as her husband’s vicious temper emerges, Maura worries that her home might never be safe for a child. Meanwhile, her close friend Bernie, a mother of three, learns the devastating news that another pregnancy could prove fatal.

Dublin, 2023: A close call makes Saoirse realize that she may never want to be a mother. Little does she know that only a few decades ago, a group of women made this option possible for her. And she’s about to meet one of them…

The Women on Platform Two is an “inspiring novel about the liberating paths blazed by Irish women” (Kirkus Reviews) and how much farther we still have to go.©2025 Laura Anthony (P)2025 Simon & Schuster Audio

Fabulous story!

This bit of history and how the women in Ireland stood up to a law which caused so much heartache and death is something I did not know. How ignorant we are of issues in other countries. I lived through the late 60’s and early 70’s. Contraception was readily available and accepted in the USA. We women didn’t have to deal with what the Irish women did. Such bravery of those women on May 22, 1971. Wonderful story and great narration.

Great, wonderful, historically accurate!

I loved the characters and narrative and the accurate historical context. A must read for every woman.

The strength of these strong women.

The story is an important one for women especially when our current administration has reversed Roe V Wade. Are we going backwards?

The women on platform two

A captivating story of strong women, friendship, hardship, happiness and struggle and their fight to make their country a better place for women. They were the voice of so many.

A Must Read for women and men alike

This book should be required reading in all high schools today; important for young ladies but critical for young men.

Interesting and compelling

I enjoyed this book about a specific time in Irish history that I didn’t know anything about, and haven’t really thought about. There were some production issues at the beginning of this audiobook version that I listened to that were distracting, but eventually it seemed like they were cleared up and then everything was OK. I think it’s important to be reminded of the struggles that people have gone through and not too distant past to pave the way for future generations. We often take these folks for granted.