About The Postmistress and Sarah Blake

[Paul_Hochman]

Filled with stunning parallels to today's world, The Postmistress is a sweeping novel about the loss of innocence of two extraordinary women-and of two countries torn apart by war.

On the eve of the United States's entrance into World War II in 1940, Iris James, the postmistress of Franklin, a small town on Cape Cod, does the unthinkable: She doesn't deliver a letter. In London, American radio gal Frankie Bard is working with Edward R. Murrow, reporting on the Blitz. One night in a bomb shelter, she meets a doctor from Cape Cod with a letter in his pocket, a letter Frankie vows to deliver when she returns from Germany and France, where she is to record the stories of war refugees desperately trying to escape.

The residents of Franklin think the war can't touch them- but as Frankie's radio broadcasts air, some know that the war is indeed coming. And when Frankie arrives at their doorstep, the two stories collide in a way no one could have foreseen. The Postmistress is an unforgettable tale of the secrets we must bear, or bury. It is about what happens to love during wartime, when those we cherish leave. And how every story-of love or war-is about looking left when we should have been looking right.  

About the Author

Sarah Blake lives in Washington, D.C., with her husband, the poet Josh Weiner, and their two sons.

[Paul_Hochman]

Some terrific advance praise from Andre Dubus III, the author of The House of Sand and Fog.

"Some novels we savor for their lapidary prose, others for their flesh and blood characters, and still others for a sweeping narrative arc that leaves us light-headed and changed; Sarah Blake's masterful, THE POSTMISTRESS, serves us all this and more. Compassionate, insightful, and unsentimental, this masterful novel is told in a rare and highly successful omniscient voice, one that delves deeply into the seemingly random nature of love and war and story itself. This is a superb book!"

[Biblio_Sue]

I can't wait to read this book -- it sounds like a great story. 

I have a bizarre fascination with World War II and sometimes think that I was born in the wrong decade .....

[mnbc]

Hi Paul,

I was really looking forward to reading the Postmistress, but have not received it yet. From what I can gather from the new format was that I was confirmed, which I assumed from past entries I would be receiving the book, but like I say have not received it yet. Are you still in the process of shipping them out and I can expect it soon? Could you let me know

Thanks

Dale

[Paul_Hochman]

The books started to ship late Monday/early Tuesday of this week, Dale. You'll have your copy soon.

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mnbc wrote:

Hi Paul,

I was really looking forward to reading the Postmistress, but have not received it yet. From what I can gather from the new format was that I was confirmed, which I assumed from past entries I would be receiving the book, but like I say have not received it yet. Are you still in the process of shipping them out and I can expect it soon? Could you let me know

Thanks

Dale

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[KCSullivan]

Thank you so much. I just received my copy of The Postmistress and I am anxious to begin. I am a novice in the First Look Book Club. Can you tell me how to post a comment and where to go to participate in the discussions on October 5th? I also wanted to comment on the cover design and graphics of this edition. It is very well done and would have caught my eye even if it wasn't sitting beneath my mailbox!

Best from Kathlen Sullivan

[tree_lover]

Hi Kathlen,

I am new at this as well.  I can't wait for my copy to come in.  I was wondering how we would post it.  Thanks for asking that question.  I hope you enjoy the book.

Liz Denton

[Melissa_W Moderator]

Welcome, Kathleen!

The discussion will be held here starting on October 5 - Rachel, who is the moderator, will post different threads for different sections of the book so we discuss the relevant portions of the book in those threads (cuts down on spoilers).  Until then, feel free to chat with the other participants in the Community Room and introduce yourself in the Introductions threads - just click on the thread from the Postmistress mainpage then click "reply".

Just a hint - it's usually better to keep all discussion of the book, including cover art and included letter, under wraps until the start date.  Some members live quite a bit farther away from the warehouse than others (including overseas) so they have to wait for their books a little longer. 

[KCSullivan]

Liz -

   Nice to know I am not the only newcomer. What a lovely opportunity. I am looking forward to the discussion. Going tomorrow to an office supply store for one of those new 'Post-it ' pens. It is a highlighter with post -it flag dispenseer in the cap. Of course, i don't NEED this to read a book but I am feeling all back to schoolish about the First Look and thought I would treat myself.

   I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book in October

Best from Kathlene

P.S.  this is the correct spelling of my name. My inital post was a typo due to my stellar keyboard skills.

[AvidReader44]

My copy arrived yesterday, can't wait to start it, love WW2 stories

[tree_lover]

Kathlene,

Nice to meet you as well.  Thanks for correcting me on the spelling of your name.  The post-it notes pen sounds like a good idea.   I am excited about the "first look" as well.  I haven't received my book yet, so I am patiently waiting...  ) I also look forward to hearing what you think about the book.

liz

[tree_lover]

Yah!!!  Good for you.  I'm still waiting for mine.  Happy reading...

liz

[Coral50]

Hi

Looking forward to this book, I am now reading Historical Fiction after the last FL book.

Also, still waiting, California is usually one of the last stops on deliveries. But as long as it comes I will be

Cora

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tree_lover wrote:

Kathlene,

Nice to meet you as well.  Thanks for correcting me on the spelling of your name.  The post-it notes pen sounds like a good idea.   I am excited about the "first look" as well.  I haven't received my book yet, so I am patiently waiting...  ) I also look forward to hearing what you think about the book.

liz

---

[tree_lover]

Hi Cora,

I guess Texas is next to last stop as well.  I will be happy when it comes in as well.  I started a fictional book called Dog Day.

Dog Day 

It's a pretty cool book and a fast read.  Hopefully I will finish it before the FL book comes to me.

liz

[lindareadsLH]

Yes, I received mine Thursday while I away visiting a friend. Couldn't believe that the big brown truck left my book. They usually do not leave it unless I am home. But it makes me happy he left it. The book really seems to be as good as some of the others I have read. Happy reading to us all.

[BSC42]

I work at the place those little handy "Post-it" pens/flag dispensers come from! Great invention, aren't they???

Liz -

   Nice to know I am not the only newcomer. What a lovely opportunity. I am looking forward to the discussion. Going tomorrow to an office supply store for one of those new 'Post-it ' pens. It is a highlighter with post -it flag dispenseer in the cap. Of course, i don't NEED this to read a book but I am feeling all back to schoolish about the First Look and thought I would treat myself.

   I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book in October

Best from Kathlene

P.S.  this is the correct spelling of my name. My inital post was a typo due to my stellar keyboard skills.

[BSC42]

I work at the place those little handy "Post-it" pens/flag dispensers come from! Great invention, aren't they???

Liz -

   Nice to know I am not the only newcomer. What a lovely opportunity. I am looking forward to the discussion. Going tomorrow to an office supply store for one of those new 'Post-it ' pens. It is a highlighter with post -it flag dispenseer in the cap. Of course, i don't NEED this to read a book but I am feeling all back to schoolish about the First Look and thought I would treat myself.

   I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book in October

Best from Kathlene

P.S.  this is the correct spelling of my name. My inital post was a typo due to my stellar keyboard skills.

[Hyperviper]

i can't wait to read this. i just recieved my copy a few days ago. Thanks. I am looking forward to the discussion too.

[tree_lover]

This story sounds so interesting.  I can't wait to get my copy and read it.  I have read about war time but in England.  The Maisie Dobbs' series is also a good book about wartime and and the misfortunes that people go through because of it.

Maisie Dobbs 

liz

[HannibalCat]

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BSC42 wrote:

I work at the place those little handy "Post-it" pens/flag dispensers come from! Great invention, aren't they???

---

Glad tohave you on board. I have to tell you that I LOVE those post it pen/flag dispensers. I agreee they are a great invention. I use them to mark special places, sentences, descriptions, etc., while I am reading. I can't stnd to write in a book. These are a wonderful addition to my enjoyment of a book. I know just where to go when I want to share something with others. You luck person. I hope you get a discount.

Now, to the book!  I think this looks like a really interesting book for us to discuss. I look forward to seeing your comments online, along with the rest of the gang. It truly makes the reading experience one for the "books."

[HannibalCat]

I work at the place those little handy "Post-it" pens/flag dispensers come from! Great invention, aren't they???

[BookWoman718]

Mine came on Saturday.  It looks so good, and October is almost ten days away...  I'm pretty sure I'll have this one read before we even start.   I promise, though, no spoilers!   

Newbies, sometimes the cover art is so interesting, and draws so many comments, that the moderator starts a thread just for that.   Just remember, many people want to experience each bit of the book themselves, before they read any comments about it.    And nothing about the book should be posted before our official start date.

After that, you'll see;  it works pretty well.   There are threads that apply only to certain chapters and you can't comment beyond that point.  But other threads may be about a character, or a theme, maybe a setting, and in those you can generally comment "ahead" of where we're reading.    The most fun is usually when the author joins the 'conversation' for a week or so.  It's great to be able to ask your question directly, or hear some insight about how the author's life affected the work.