The postman - Kirjakasa

Hardcover, 294 pages

English language

Published Nov. 20, 1985 by Bantam Books.

ISBN:: 978-0-553-05107-0
OCLC Number:: 12215763

(1 review)

This is the story of a lie that became the most powerful kind of truth. A timeless novel as urgently compelling as War Day or Alas, Babylon, David Brin's The Postman is the dramatically moving saga of a man who rekindled the spirit of America through the power of a dream, from a modern master of science fiction.He was a survivor--a wanderer who traded tales for food and shelter in the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating war. Fate touches him one chill winter's day when he borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker to protect himself from the cold. The old, worn uniform still has power as a symbol of hope, and with it he begins to weave his greatest tale, of a nation on the road to recovery.From the Paperback edition.

9 editions

Thom reviewed The Postman (Bantam Classics) by David Brin

Review of 'The Postman (Bantam Classics)' on 'Goodreads'

3 stars

This book won two awards and was nominated for two more, is included on several "best" lists, and was made into a movie. The first half is build from two award winning novellas. Unfortunately, the second half of this book left me with the postage due.

The first half is very good. Gordon is a wandering troubadour, surviving from town-to-town in post-apocalyptic America. After being bushwacked and losing much of his kit, he stumbles on a wrecked mail delivery jeep and adds "postman" to his many roles. This new role grows to define Gordon, and inspires more people than his half-remembered Shakespeare could. He picks up the mantle of hero reluctantly, making for good internal conflict.

Next he encounters a settlement with improved technology, led by "Cyclops", a computer that survived the EMP. This portion is also well done, with good characters and setting.

In the last section of the …

This book won two awards and was nominated for two more, is included on several "best" lists, and was made into a movie. The first half is build from two award winning novellas. Unfortunately, the second half of this book left me with the postage due.

The first half is very good. Gordon is a wandering troubadour, surviving from town-to-town in post-apocalyptic America. After being bushwacked and losing much of his kit, he stumbles on a wrecked mail delivery jeep and adds "postman" to his many roles. This new role grows to define Gordon, and inspires more people than his half-remembered Shakespeare could. He picks up the mantle of hero reluctantly, making for good internal conflict.

Next he encounters a settlement with improved technology, led by "Cyclops", a computer that survived the EMP. This portion is also well done, with good characters and setting.

In the last section of the book, never published separately, Gordon reluctantly agrees to lead the defense of towns against remaining survivalists. I read this nearly in one go during a European flight, and while it was good reading, the plot is lacking. Politics, feminism, and other elements are introduced which really don't fit the rest of the novel, culminating in a lightning-lit multi-page battle.

In summary, two-thirds of a good book, or two Novellas do not a good Novel make. I have never seen the film, but will consider it in the near future. 2 and 2/3 stars.