Talk about a remarkable book! This one ranks close (but not quite) up there on my list with Kathryn Stockett’s The Help for my favorite reads of 2010! The Postmistress was given to me for my 28th birthday and it was the first time I received an “adult” book as a present! Knowing this book was a gift from a like-minded reader to myself as well as from one of my closest friends in the world, Laura, I was eager to jump right in headfirst!
Sarah Blake’s novel follows the intertwined stories of three women…
Frankie Bard is the voice on the radio that comes into the U.S. homes during World War II from the heart of London and France during the bombings known as “The Blitz” as well as the exodus of the Jews across Europe. Uncommon for a female to be an on-the-scene reporter, Frankie comes into many U.S. homes nightly giving them only a brief piece of the action across the ocean. Frankie often faces a difficult realization that she is simply there to “tell the story” and not to “create a story”. She struggles with the treatment of those fleeing Europe by train and then boat as well as those that have held been captive in what would become known as the Concentration Camps. She comes in close contact with several different characters; they are people that you too will grow close to quickly and wonder, what will become of them and their families. As a reader you will connect instantly to Frankie and her desire to let the Americans back in the States (who seem to be leading normal lives going about their normal routines) realize what is happening in Europe in hopes that they would come together to fight for a change. She will question her own values and aspirations as she struggles to be an unbiased American reporter during a very difficult time in Europe.
Iris James is the Postmaster in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts, located on the furthest tip of Cape Cod. James takes her ‘federal’ employment as serious as one could and places a high value on her importance to the residents of the town. While the summer vacationers come and go, James has the responsibility of making sure that mail is delivered to year round inhabitants in the small town. Her role will intertwine with Frankie as she listens to her accounts of war activity on the radio daily and connects with the stories of the people that are told. Iris goes against her beliefs when she holds onto an important letter longer than she should that comes into her possession early on in the story.
Lastly we have our third woman, Emma Trask, wife of the town doctor, Will Fitch. After period of time when Fitch questions his talents as a doctor as the result of a lost pregnant woman he decides to go off to England to see where he can serve the U.S. in the medical profession. Emma struggles with his decision while he hopes to feel as though he has made amends for his error in judgment with the failed delivery. She goes as far as to have her house painted bright white in hopes that Will can see it from across the ocean and know exactly where to come home. Emma spends much time listening to Frankie on the radio and connects with her stories as she begins to question the purpose of the war, the purpose of Hitler and his actions as well as secretly hoping to hear something about her husband and his heroics overseas.
This book gets a 4.5 out of 5 on my rating scale… any day! The next task on my list is finding a book that keeps me engaged after coming off of this fantastic read. A definite must read!
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