Wednesday, August 28, 2013

The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

From the Timely and Timeless book discussion group on August 27, 2013.

The Postmistress was an enjoyable read. With 8 votes, we rated this book at 3.6 out of 5. Thanks to Joyce for choosing this title. Sarah Blake's work took a little time to engage our attention. But the story's pivotal character, Emma, drew our sympathies and respect in the end for her level of maturity and grace in a difficult situation. The premise of undelivered letters, though the highlighted device in this novel, was not for me the most interesting thing about the book.

We agreed that Frankie was the character we liked the best. She was written as a part of a changing role for women in the early 1940's. She sought to interview and report the stories of refugees traveling from Germany and France as they seek a safer existence. Her heart was most deeply felt through the impact on her in the time she spent on this endeavor, especially after she had time to reflect on the experience. By inserting a real-life person, in Edward R. Murrow, Ms. Blake served to anchor the story in time and to add credibility to Frankie's character.

Iris's character was challenging to relate to with her staid ways reflecting her regimented life and her inexperience in male/female relationships. But the fact that she mishandled delivery of one letter only spoke to her deep concern for the intended recipient. Was it wrong to withhold the letter? It seemed to me more an act allowing for compassion not expressly allowed in her position, than a miscarriage of duties. All three of the women made emotional journeys and each was left with more depth of character for having gone there.

Thomas was hardest to understand. His capricious decision to escape from his life that included his wife and medical practice in his small hometown, had a dramatic effect on all three of the main women in the novel.

This is a good beach book or change of pace between heavier works. This book presented lots of discussion points and received good reviews from the literary world.

COMING UP

September 24 - The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - at BUGSY's Pizza at Noon

Get ready for an exciting ride. This book is marketed as a "Young People" novel, but it will hold the attention of adults as well. When the real action starts, it is very hard to disengage from it. The sub-text of the novel is front and center from early on. The characters could have popped up in a "Survivor" episode if they had been a bit older. The emerging personalities of the competitors are reflections of people we have met today. The diabolic exercise of power in certain cases that has infiltrated our awareness today is a prelude to this futuristic interpretation of where that approach might take us. Given the ebb and flow of history and the unpredictability of it, this is definitely a novel that will linger in our thoughts long after the last page has been turned.

This is a cultural touchstone perhaps in the realm of Animal Farm or 1984. I see a lot of parallel lines that seem to reflect those works. There will be lots to talk about when we meet to discuss this book.

October 22 - The Story of Beautiful Girl by Rachel Simon - at BrewHa at Noon

From Amazon.com:
It is 1968. Lynnie, a young white woman with a developmental disability, and Homan, an African American deaf man, are locked away in an institution, the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded, and have been left to languish, forgotten. Deeply in love, they escape, and find refuge in the farmhouse of Martha, a retired schoolteacher and widow. But the couple is not alone-Lynnie has just given birth to a baby girl. When the authorities catch up to them that same night, Homan escapes into the darkness, and Lynnie is caught. But before she is forced back into the institution, she whispers two words to Martha: "Hide her." And so begins the 40-year epic journey of Lynnie, Homan, Martha, and baby Julia-lives divided by seemingly insurmountable obstacles, yet drawn together by a secret pact and extraordinary love.

See you at Bugsy's next month.

--Susan