Author: Sarah Blake
Hardcover: 336 pages(Also available as large print paperback, Kindle, audio CD, Audio download)
Publisher: Putnam (Feb. 9, 2010)
Synopsis:
The Postmistress is a winding story of three women whose lives—and secrets– intersect during World War II in a small New England town. Frankie Bard is a radio journalist working in Europe who brings crushing secrets home with her when she returns to the US. Iris James is an unmarried postmaster in Franklin, Massachusetts with secrets of her own. Finally there is Emma Fitch, young bride of the town doctor and a newcomer to Franklin. Apart they each have personal secrets but when they find themselves together in Franklin their shared secret is finally revealed.
Review:
Blake could have divided this story into three books, one about each character and I would have wanted to read each book. She has richly drawn pictures of each character—really made them come alive. But the fact that she has wound their three lives together makes this book even more rewarding to read. Of course the fact they all come together, sharing the same secret, seems a bit of a coincidence but hey, this is fiction.
Even the minor characters in The Postmistress are fully developed. There are no characters that just walk into the book to serve the author’s purpose and walk off, never to be heard from again. They each have lives and emotions that we’re able to peek into. Many times when I read a book I feel like I’m looking at a snapshot—here is the story within this rectangle. But with this book it was like peeking through binoculars, I knew there was a whole world out there just beyond the rim of the lenses. Don’t miss Blake’s world.
What do you have to say about secrets? Read any books about secrets? Kept any secrets? Uncovered any secrets?
Ahhhh! I just bought this book last week and can’t wait to read it!! Glad it won’t be a waste of a gift card!