From the Bookshelf of Apocalypse Whenever…

The Postman

David Brin

Start date: June 1, 2011

Finish date: July 8, 2011

Discussion: AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

Discussion leader: Gertie

Why we're reading this: Many of you will have seen the movie The Postman with Kevin Costner. This is the story of a man who inadv…more
[close] Many of you will have seen the movie The Postman with Kevin Costner. This is the story of a man who inadvertently becomes a post-apocalyptic mailman. The position takes on surprising significance in a torn-down world with small, estranged pockets of humanity.

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AW BOOK CLUB (spoilers)

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What Members Thought

Jun 10, 2011 Amy rated it liked it

Shelves: book-club-pick, made-into-a-movie, 2011-books-read, disappointing, post-apocalyptic

Of course, I thought I'd be different and actually enjoy this book since I really enjoyed the movie. But, no. What a train wreck! The first half was great; I'd give it 4.5 stars. A post-apocalyptic wandering bard finds a postman's outfit and begins delivering the mail, hope, and unity to the scattered masses. Lovely. It could have cleanly ended there and all would have been well.

The second half of the book is, at best, 1.5 stars. It's as if someone else wrote it, and it barely resembles the firs ...more

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May 23, 2012 Alison rated it liked it

Well, I liked the movie (not least because of that Tom Petty cameo), but the book is certainly more complex psychologically than the movie, and I'm pretty sure the plots diverged significantly. The book drags a little in the middle, but it wasn't bad overall. The Oregon geography - which is kind of crucial to the story - would have been very confusing if I hadn't followed along with my iphone in one hand, looking up all the locations on Google Maps, so I'm glad I didn't read this way back when i ...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Scott rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: apocalypse

What started out as a "lie" (in the best interest of the word), turned a survivor into a beacon of civilization. I loved the first part of the book, but got tired of the warring interests of all of all of the parties invested in creating their own "restored societies." The nod toward feminism was appreciated but ended up being a bit cliche. I wanted more adventure in this novel rather than restoration. I did, however; like how the author stayed regionally true to the Pacific Northwest and all of ...more

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May 31, 2011 Rebecca rated it liked it

Shelves: post-apocalypse

I really loved survival stories when I was growing up - kids surviving on their own in the wild, animals making epic journeys on their own across thousands of miles. The Postman starts out as an adult version of that, and I really, really enjoyed the first three chapters. Then I was also drawn in by the romanticized notion of restarting the USPS in post-apocalypse times. And I liked that it was set in the Pacific Northwest. But then it veered off into weird feminist and government conspiracy the ...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Donna Berthelette rated it liked it

Shelves: apocalypse-dystopia

This was pretty good; I didn't feel much emotional involvement in the main character though.. now I want to go back and watch the movie adaption they did

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Jun 13, 2011 Patrick Nichols rated it it was amazing

Shelves: science-fiction

Most post-apocalyptic visions focus on the diaphanous fragility of civilization, but here Brin offers the counterargument: ideas are still indestructible. Would have liked it a bit more if the main character was more of a con man than a reluctant hero, but the storyline - rebuilding civilization through the power of lies - is strong enough to support a bit of schmaltz. Classic SF that still holds its power, after all these years.

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