Ambassador of Books ~ Book Club Madam ~ Blogger Gal

Friday, March 11, 2011

The Postmistress

by Sarah Blake
audio book: 10.5 hours
narrated by Orlagh Cassidy


The PostmistressFrom Overdrive.com:

On the eve of the United States' entrance into World War II in 1940, Iris James, the postmistress of Franklin, a small town on Cape Cod, does the unthinkable: She doesn't deliver a letter. In London, American radio gal Frankie Bard is working with Edward R. Murrow, reporting on the blitz. One night in a bomb shelter, she meets a doctor from Cape Cod with a letter in his pocket, a letter Frankie vows to deliver when she returns from Germany and France, where she is to record the stories of war refugees desperately trying to escape. When Frankie arrives in Cape Cod, the two stories collide in a way no one could have foreseen.


My Thoughts:


When I put this on my library wish list I was really excited to listen to it.  By the time it came in though, I was in a reading rut and wasn't in the mood for this kind of book.  I started listening anyway and was really turned off by the introductory chapter that set up the story.

BUT THEN ...

Once I got into the actual story, I was hooked.  I could NOT stop listening to this book.  I didn't love all the characters but they seemed very real to me - I could visualize them as real people living and working during the start of World War II.  I didn't agree with all their decision, but I could understand why they made them.

For me, listening to this on audio rather than reading it was a huge advantage toward the middle of the book.  There is a section where Frankie records interviews with Jewish people who are attempting to flee Europe.  These recording become very important to her and she listens to them repeatedly as the book progresses.  Hearing those recordings aloud (rather than reading them) actually gave me chills. That is a part of the book that will stick with me for a very, VERY long time.

I've been recommending this book left and right (or as Kiddo would say "every left and right") - I'm so glad I gave it a chance even though it wasn't what I thought I wanted at that time.


Your Thoughts?

I'd love to know what the rest of you thought of this book.  Did anyone else listen to the audio?  For those who read it, did the recordings have a big impact on you or were they simply part of the story?

18 comments:

Teresa said...

I also listened to the audio version and loved it. It was a truly engaging story that I kept coming back to.

Rachel said...

I have this on my wishlist and I keep hearing great things about it. I'm excited to give i a read.

Rachel- Endless Reading

Anonymous said...

Good to have you back!
I listened to it last year and just loved it! By the way, the reader is running for a big award. here is my own review: http://wordsandpeace.wordpress.com/2010/10/04/the-postmistress/
Emma @ Words And Peace
- could be more personal, my more recent reviews are

Marg said...

That section about Frankie doing the recordings is one of the most powerful pieces I have read about WWII. So amazing, and it totally made this book for me.

Unknown said...

I didn't always love the state side part of the book - but I am very glad I read this in an audio. You really got a sense that I was listening to a radio broadcast. Wonderful review.

Athira said...

I've been seeing this book a lot again lately. I kind of want to read it, but I'm worried I may end up expecting too much. Good review!

Anna said...

Glad to see you enjoyed it. I'll be reading it soon for the TLC tour, and I can't wait. I'll link to your review on War Through the Generations.

Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness) said...

I read this book in print, but did think it would make an amazing audio if produced well. The radio broadcasts were so powerful to read; I'm glad listening was just as good, if not better.

Kailana said...

I really liked this book when I read it last year!

Trisha said...

I can very much see how the audio version would be powerful in this instance.

Inside A Book said...

Thanks for the recommend. I will hook myself up. It sounds like a great motivator for walking and hitting the treadmill. I need a book to MAKE me do it!

Great review.

Alyce said...

I'm always on the lookout for good audio books - anything to make the housecleaning chores less chore-like you know. :) This one sounds great!

Erika Robuck said...

I read this book and loved it! Now, you make me want to listen to it. Great review!

Mystica said...

This has been on my TBR for an year now - I have to find it first of course! sounds so good.

Gina said...

So glad you enjoyed it! For me...not so much...but then again I'm not a huge fan of historical fiction as a whole so that wasn't too surprising (even it it was disappointing). Gotta say it though...the cover is BEAUTIFUL. Thanks for sharing your reading experience!

Swapna said...

This is one I wish I had listened to in audio rather than read. I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Sheila (Bookjourney) said...

Oh I wish I would have listened to this on audio. I enjoyed the read for the most part.

Booksnyc said...

I listened to this too and that scene where Frankie broadcasts from the train and allows the refugees speak is one of my favorite - it is so haunting!

The narrator, Orlagh Cassidy, has become one of my friends.

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