The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
It took me awhile to decide what book I was going to submiss for the Historical Fiction Alphabet challenge. Then it dawned on me that I was reading a book taking place (a lot of the time) in Cape Cod.
In 1940, while war is going on throughout most of Europe, President Roosevelt has promised that the United States would not enter the war.
In a small town on Cape Cod in Massachusetts, Iris James serves as postmistress. She knows the town and their business very well. She falls in love with the town's mechanic, Harry Vale. Harry spends a lot of time in the watch tower over the Atlantic Ocean, watching for German U-boats. He has a hard time convincing the towns people that the U-boats will show up in their sleepy little town.
Emma Trask is married to the town's working doctor. They are both young and just starting out. However, an event happens while he is delivering his first baby in the town that makes him want to escape. He goes to England, where war is raging to volunteer his services as a doctor, leaving poor Emma as home in a town she hardly knows. Iris tries to look out for her.
Meanwhile, Frankie Bard is in England as a reporter. She works with none other than Edward R. Murrow. However, major event shake her to the core and just ends up near the end of the book in the same small town as Iris and Emma. Their 3 fates sealed and intertwined through a letter.
This was a delightful book. Sarah Blake weaves all of the sub-stories together seamlessly. Frankie is my favourite character. We get to meet the people she comes across and hear her war stories. On her last assignment she rides the trains in Germany and France, recording interviews with the Jews desperate to get to safety.
Though there were a few things in the book that were predictable then didn't detract me from enjoying the story. The end seemed a bit rushed to me but not overly sentimental. It seems that Sarah Blake really did her research and I recommend this to Historical fiction lover, especially those who enjoy WWII fiction.
4.5/5
Thanks to Amy Einhorn Books and B. Kienapple of Penguin Group (Canada) for this book.
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I'm really looking forward to this one - so glad to see it's good!
bermudaonion said... January 14, 2010 at 7:08 PM
I really want to read this one. Hoping I can get it from the library. excellent review.
(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said... January 14, 2010 at 7:21 PM
I've heard so much about this! I'm so glad you liked it. WWII stories always draw my attention.
Aarti said... January 14, 2010 at 8:13 PM
Kathy, I think you will enjoy it.
Diane, Thanks, I hope you can get it too.
Aarti, I think you would enjoy this one as well.
Teddy Rose said... January 14, 2010 at 8:43 PM
I remember this from a Waiting for Wednesday Post (or was it Cover Attraction); it did sound interesting the way a letter ties things together. Glad to hear you enjoyed the read, Teddy!
Wanda said... January 15, 2010 at 10:47 AM
This sounds really good, and a perfect choice for C!
Marg said... January 15, 2010 at 12:33 PM
Wanda and Marg, I think that you would both enjoy this book.
Teddy Rose said... January 15, 2010 at 10:19 PM
Sounds like a good one!
Unknown said... January 16, 2010 at 8:55 AM
I'm with Aarti..WWII fiction always pulls me in. Now I'll have to check this one out. Great review!
samantha.1020 said... January 17, 2010 at 6:50 PM
Samantha, if you like WWII fiction, this book is for you.
Teddy Rose said... January 17, 2010 at 10:05 PM
Interesting! I am working my way through Blue Star for one of my won books challenge books, and it is set at about the same time. This one sound right up my alley, thanks for the review!
Bcteagirl said... January 18, 2010 at 8:39 PM
Bcteagirl, Blue Star sounds good too. I hope you are enjoying it!
Teddy Rose said... January 19, 2010 at 10:25 PM
This book is on my TBR list and I'm glad to hear it was a good book. I so enjoy books with multiple substories and the setting is right up my alley. I think I'll have to move this up on my TBR list! :-)
Laura H. said... January 7, 2011 at 6:19 PM
Laura, do move it up. I loved it and I know a lot of other who did as well.
Teddy Rose said... January 7, 2011 at 9:10 PM
I found this for only a few dollars at my local second hand store in excellent condition. Sadly I haven't gotten to it yet. That TBR pile just grows...
Literary Chanteuse said... September 18, 2011 at 9:41 AM
Margaret, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did, once you get to it.
Teddy Rose said... September 20, 2011 at 5:08 PM
I am so anxious to read this one! It has been on my wishlist for awhile but your review reminded me just how good it sounds so I'm moving it up on the list.
Laura H. said... October 12, 2011 at 4:41 PM
Laura, I think you will really enjoy it.
Teddy Rose said... October 17, 2011 at 1:15 PM
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