Friday, October 12, 2018

Book Review - The Postmistress


The Postmistress by Sarah Blake offers two perspectives on the news in 1940.  First Iris James, as the postmistress in a coastal MA town, takes her duty quite seriously. However, one day, she slips a letter into her pocket, knowing she delays the inevitable but feels it’s for the best. She reads a heartbreaking letter and does not deliver it.  Meanwhile, Frankie Bard broadcasts overseas with Edward R. Murrow. She feels compelled to make sure Americans know what is happening in Europe. She doesn’t want folks to not believe that Nazi Germany is building evil and that it affects the world.

Cover blurb:  The Postmistress is a tale of two worlds – one shattered by violence, the other willfully naïve – of two women whose jobs are to deliver the news, yet who find themselves unable to do so. Through their eyes, and the eyes of everyday people caught in history’s ride, it examines how we tell each other stories, and how we bear the fact of war as we live ordinary lives.

This is a solid story with engaging writing. There’s a love story and a story of survival.   P. 351  A story like a snapshot is caught, held for a moment, then delivered. But the people in them go on and on. And what happens next? What happens?   This book has a sense of urgency and is a worthy read.  Another winner. I’ve been on a roll.

Thanks, Linda Hoffman – a friend, and a reader who shares her excellent finds.  Shout out, my friend!

7 comments:

  1. Wow! Sounds terrific! Thanks for the review. I just finished a Mary Higgins Clark book: "The Shadow of Your Smile." I've read a lot of her books, but this wasn't one of her best. Very disappointing.

    Have a super weekend! And guess what? It actually feels like autumn here this morning! Woo HOO! All the windows are open wide. Dunno how long it's gonna last, but we're going to enjoy it while it's here.

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    1. we're cooler but in for another rainy weekend. We are in that pattern. Oh well, movie time!
      You have a good one!

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  2. That urgency when done right can make a great book indeed.

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  3. What a great review on a wonderful book Joanne.
    Thanks for sharing.

    Yvonne.

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  4. Wow, this one sounds like a good page turner.

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