Peeking Between the Pages

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Book Review: The Postmistress by Sarah Blake & Giveaway

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I must be one of the few who still hadn’t read The Postmistress by Sarah Blake. I’ve read such mixed reviews of this novel that I was a bit hesitant to read it but I always like to make up my own mind and I’m so glad I do because I really liked this book! I started it on Saturday and was done Sunday morning – although I found the very beginning a bit slow, it wasn’t long before I just couldn’t put it down until I reached the end and knew the outcome for everyone.

The Postmistress takes place in 1940/1941 and the story weaves between Franklin, Massachusetts on Cape Cod and war-torn Europe and really focuses on the lives of three women. Iris James is new to Franklin, having become the Postmistress there and she takes her job with the utmost seriousness not to mention her growing attraction to Harry. Emma Trask is also new to Franklin, having married the local doctor Will and then there’s Frankie Bard, one of the first female journalists to cover the war.

The women’s lives end up interwoven together because of one man, the doctor – Will Fitch, Emma’s husband. Will and Emma are newly married and very happy until a tragedy occurs that greatly affects how Will sees himself. He’s lost and his reaction is to pick up and travel to war-torn London to offer his services as a doctor there, leaving Emma behind. Frankie Bard, at one point, meets Will in an underground bomb shelter and when they leave the next day, Frankie’s fate is sealed and she’s connected to Emma through Will.

Iris is an interesting character. Being postmistress of a smaller community she basically has her hand on the pulse of everything going on there. In the 1940’s there wasn’t any other communication other than letters and of course the phone but back in that day, the mail was a big thing. Iris prides herself though on not snooping into anyone’s business. She sorts the mail and puts it where it needs to go yet at the same time she keeps an eye on everything going on. That is until the day Will leaves Franklin and entrusts Iris with a letter to give Emma should he not return. As the months wear on and Will is still gone, Iris takes it upon herself to keep her eye on Emma and keep her from any additional stress.

In the meantime Frankie has been sent on an assignment through the war-torn regions. I found these portions of the novel very powerful because she records personal accounts with Europe’s Jews trying to escape the travesties of the war. It is here that Frankie really experiences what the war is and just how terrifying and pointless it is. The lives lost, the families altered forever and as she sees young children lose their parents or the people left behind on the trains, she questions herself and wonders what comes next. Once these people are out of sight, does that mean they are out of mind as well? It shouldn’t and Frankie is deeply affected.

She travels to Franklin with a message for Emma but once there finds a peace that she hasn’t felt in a while and decides to stay a bit. At times she’s frustrated because the people of Franklin, Iris being one of them, hasn’t experienced the terror of war first hand and Frankie is angered by their actions at times. Yet as the war continues raging, the women are drawn together by so much more; tragedy and the need to be human and caring.

Sarah Blake writes beautifully and her words pulse with power. When she is describing the bombings and later with Frankie interviewing people, you can’t help but feel the terror and helplessness. I could feel my heart pound when the bombs were dropping and feel the air whoosh by me as the buildings came down around Frankie. The story of Emma and Iris, maybe not so powerful, but nonetheless emotional, kept me spellbound as well. I wanted the best for everyone in a world where that just may not have been possible. What I think I found most powerful is the idea that while war is raging somewhere, elsewhere people are still eating lunch, shopping or reading a book. It’s easier for us to bear the horrors that may be going on elsewhere in the world by just going on and yet really, deep down this horrifies us that we can’t fix it or make things better for these people. Such are the tragedies that affect our world to this day.

I read The Postmistress by Sarah Blake for her book tour with TLC Book Tours. You can see what others thought of the novel on the other tour stops. Be sure to visit Sarah Blake’s website as well! You can purchase your own copy of The Postmistress by Sarah Blake here in the US and here in Canada.
GIVEAWAY DETAILS

I have one copy of The Postmistress by Sarah Blake to share with my readers. To enter…

  • For 1 entry leave me a comment with a way to contact you.
  • For 2 entries follow my blog. If you already do, thank you, and let me know in your comment so I can pass on the extra entry to you as well.
  • For 3 entries tweet or blog this giveaway and help spread the word!

This giveaway is open to US and Canadian residents only (no PO boxes) and I will draw for the winner on Saturday, April 9/11. Good luck everyone!

© 2010, Darlene of Peeking Between the Pages. All Rights Reserved. If you’re reading this on a site other than Peeking Between the Pages or Darlene’s Feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

My copy of The Postmistress by Sarah Blake was received for review from TLC Book Tours and the publisher.

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Comments

  1. I'm another of the few who haven't read this book yet, but I'd like to 🙂 Thanks for the give away.
    JQSteve(at)aol(dot)com
    I'm already a follower.

  3. I've noticed the mixed reviews on this book so wasn't real keen on reading it, but I love the WWII era, the cover is so appealing, and like you, I would like to see for myself. Would love to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway.
    Extra entry – I am a follower.
    lcbrower40(at)gmail(dot)com

  11. This book has been on my wishlist for a while, thank you. I am a GFC follower.
    karen.hofmaier[at]gmail[dot]com

  12. I just bought this book the other day, so no need to enter me, but I am excited by your review and really want to read this one soon!

  13. I really enjoyed this on audio and would love to read it in print.

    I am a follower.

    teresasreadingcorner at gmail dot com

  14. I'm another one who has this on my wishlist and would love to win a copy.

    +2 – GFC follower as Karen B.
    kpbarnett1941[at]aol[dot]com

  15. I have seen it at the library and it's on my library to read list, especially now when you made it sound so good

  16. Great review, Dar. It does feel shocking in a way to see people eating lunch and going about their business during a war, or while a tsunami is erasing whole towns, or while you're having your own personal crisis- I remember that feeling so vividly after I miscarried at 19 weeks along- I was in the blackest place personally while the world kept spinning and people around me did all their normal things. It was an odd, unreal sensation- their ought to be a term for it. I know in my case friends/family/acquaintances were horrified for me, but what could they really do or say? They couldn't fix it.

    Whew- I went off on a tangent, didn't I? Great review. Thanks so much for being on the tour.

  17. I enjoyed this book, but don't think I loved it as much as you did. No need to enter me in the giveaway.

  19. Haven't read it either, but it sounds great.

    I woke up Sunday a.m. to find my blog, my 500 plus followers, my 100plus author interviews, and my 200 plus reviews gone. Blogger gave no explanation, but I think the account was hacked. Change your password often!

    I have reloaded the interviews and reviews, plus redesigned the blog. But if you could, please hit the "follow" button so I can reclaim the fellow bloggers I miss. I'm still following you, as my account remained–thank goodness!
    http://kellymoranauthor.blogspot.com

    Thank you!
    Kelly Moran
    XO

  20. I haven't read this yet either, but it is on my Nook Wishlist.

    I follow with Google Friend Connect as Sandra K321.

    seknobloch(at)gmail(dot)com

  26. No need to enter me – I thought I was late at getting to read this book (I read it a couple month's ago). I read this as an audiobook and it was chilling to hear it delivered like a radio show. Very good book (and review!)

  27. Have been eyeing this book for a while, please count me in!

    Google follower!

    delilah0180(at)yahoo(do)com

  30. Please include me! This sounds so good! +1
    I'm a follower – +2
    Thanks

    dcf_beth at verizon dot net

  31. I would like to be entered in the giveaway for this book. Thank you.

    o2oole (at) verizon.net

  32. I would love the chance to read this book and form my own opinion.
    RJB
    loki304(at)tds(dot)net

  33. I've heard so many good things about this book. And the fact it involves mail (I love mail!) and takes place in Cape Cod…wonderful!

    Amy // artsyrockerchick at aim dot com

  37. I live in a small town and we have a postmistress that knows a lot about what is going on! I'd really enjoy this.

    I am a follower.

    pbclark(at)netins(dot)net

  42. I haven't read this one, and would really like to. Thanks for the giveaway.
    mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com

  44. I'd like to have this book. I've been seeing it around.
    notoriousspinks at gmail dot com

  47. I still haven't read this one either Dar, so I would love a chance to win it!
    joannelong74 AT gmail DOT com

  51. I've learned many times over not to pay attention to reviews, with either books or movies. If I had, I would have missed out on many adventures and awesome books!

    You bet I am now follwoing you on GC as ReinventingMyself (name of my blog) and have tweeted as @InventingMyself
    Would love to add you as a friend on GoodReads too, look me up!
    sweepingnews(at)gmail(dot)com

  52. I had this book on my TBR shelf and was given a copy of it at my library book club. When I asked if she liked it, she hesitated and said, "it was unremarkable". Hmmm…so thanks for your review. I didn't read all of it as I do intend to read the book, but am glad you liked it!

    I was the only one at this before-mentioned book club who loved Behind the Scenes at the Museum by Kate Atkinson — I almost missed it, too, and consider it one of my favorties, now. Different strokes for different folks.

  54. I have been wanting to read this book. Thanks for the chance.
    peacelily_2006(at)yahoo(dot)com

  61. No need to enter me for the giveaway but I love your review. I've read quite a few on this book and it's also on my wish list, but your review is the one that made me want to go get it now.

  65. I still haven't read this either. I missed my chance at listening to the audio book so I still want to read this.

    Thanks!

    I follow your blog and tweeted @vegasbookgirl

    Thanks!
    Amanda
    libaryofmyown at gmail dot com

  66. This book sounds very touching. Great review by the way.

    My e-mail is wakeupangel at googlemail dot com

  73. Sounds like a very good book. I would love to read it. The cover is so pretty. Please enter me. Thanks!

    ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

  78. Thanks for the giveaway! This book has been on my wish list for a while so I'd love to win it!

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

  87. I agree that the writing was beautiful. Glad to see you enjoyed it, too. I'll link to your review on War Through the Generations.