Appomattox Regional
Library System

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

Have you ever had the experience of having a friend recommend a movie, a restaurant, or a book, and you end up a little disappointed, not because your experience is bad, but because it is less than you were led to expect?

The Postmistress is a historical novel which explores the early period of World War II-  early for the United States of America at least, because it preceded Pearl Harbor and our entry into the conflict.  There is a young woman, Franky Bard, whose idealism and desire to make a difference in the world lead her into the radio business. She reports from London during the Blitz with Edward R. Murrow, a real historical figure. And there is another woman, a bit older, who takes the job of Postmaster in a little town in coastal Massachusetts.  We see people trying to come to terms with approaching disaster through denial (it’s all random, we can’t change any of it),  through over-reaction, through emotional and moral commitment, or through avoidance.

For this novel to work, all the characters have to interact. That is a bit hard to accomplish, as it requires some plot devices that are a little bit unlikely. Not impossible mind you, but unlikely.  I found myself thinking- this novel needed to be longer and deeper. It actually tries to do a good and important thing, a woman’s view of the terrible moral choices and burdens of World War II, it just does it too quickly and simply. Comparing it to another recent novel that explores some of the same territory from a slightly different angle, and a little bit more humor, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, well, The Postmistress is not quite at the same level in terms of plotting and exploring the moral issues of war. I also thought of Sophie’s Choice by William Styron, one of the greatest novels ever written about the Holocaust.  There are not many William Styrons out there, but the problem with The Postmistress is that it is not a mix of light and dark, it is mostly pretty dark stuff, but rather that it does not end up digging deeply enough into the darkness for me.  Having said that, are there scenes in this novel that are emotionally resonant and powerful? Yes, there are. There are also well constructed characters.

It’s still a good novel and a novel worth reading. I think it rates a “B” grade, it’s just that the buzz made me think that it rates an “A”, that’s all. I will continue to work though the crop of 2010 novels. I have yet to read one that impresses me on all levels, but I am sure to find one in time that will. Have you read The Postmistress? I would love to know if your reaction differs from my own.