The Postmistress

Title: The Postmistress
Author: Sarah Blake
Genre: Historical fiction, women's lit
Source: Barnes and Noble First Look Book Club - I'm not expected to send it back.


I fell in love with this cover. When the book arrived I actually squeeled and petted the book. It has a great cover...colors, textures, all of it. Perfect.

That's where my adoration ended. I just can't get into this book. I like the idea of the story, but it just gets buried under the strikingly heavy descriptions of the war and the more-often-than-not confusing transitions between characters. I want to finish this so badly....but I just can't force myself through any more of it. I think this may be my first and last foray into the land of Barnes and Noble First Look books.


Synopsis from B&N
:
The Postmistress is a sweeping novel about the loss of innocence of two extraordinary women-and of two countries torn apart by war.
On the eve of the United States's 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.
The residents of Franklin think the war can't touch them- but as Frankie's radio broadcasts air, some know that the war is indeed coming. And when Frankie arrives at their doorstep, the two stories collide in a way no one could have foreseen. The Postmistress is an unforgettable tale of the secrets we must bear, or bury. It is about what happens to love during wartime, when those we cherish leave. And how every story-of love or war-is about looking left when we should have been looking right.

8 comments:

Natalie said...

It IS a gorgeous cover! (Don't worry, I sometimes pet books too! Shh! Don't tell anyone!) I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!

Natalie @ Mindful Musings

Mandyfish said...

Natalie - I think it could be a very good book. Lots of people in the B&N book club just love it. However, it just isn't for me. That being said. I don't think I'll be finishing it anytime soon.

Chedder Fish said...

I agree- that cover is super cute- I definitely came here just to agree but I read the description and I think it could make a good movie but it just sounds yucky to figure out.

Actually I may add this as a book on tape read- those I can zone out on the slower parts but still understand what's going on kind of.

Beth(bookaholicmom) said...

I read this too. It was very hard for me to follow until about the 6th chapter. It was very hard to get into and follow at first. The transitions were very odd. I would imagine many people will give up on it. I enjoyed it once I got through the beginning.

Mandyfish said...

Cheddar, darlin' you are always welcome to come agree with me. ;) Let me know how it goes on audio.

Beth, I'm glad it got better for you. I gave up on it. My TBR pile is too huge to torture myself through it. I'm going to find it a home on my shelves and pick it up again later. Maybe time will help my brain comprehend it.

Unknown said...

I had trouble with the beginning too but once I got into it the book went by very quickly. Beth had it right that it might have been around the 6th chapter that it clicked for me. The cover was neat. I have a thing for how books smell which isn't the same for all books. But I've mentioned that to people and had them look at me like I'm nuts so maybe it's just me.

Natalie W said...

Quite a few people felt like you do and when I first started I didn't know if I was going to stick it out but like Jill, after a few chapters , i started getting into it. Also after the author explained her writing , i understood it better.
I guess not all books can be winners!

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