Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Search - The Postman

The Postman
The Postman
Author: David Brin
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 fictio...  more »
ISBN-13: 9780553278743
ISBN-10: 0553278746
Publication Date: 11/3/1997
Pages: 336
Rating:
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 186

3.8 stars, based on 186 ratings
Publisher: Spectra
Book Type: Paperback
Other Versions: Hardcover, Audio Cassette
Members Wishing: 0
Reviews: Member | Amazon | Write a Review

Top Member Book Reviews

CrazyaboutFantasy avatar reviewed The Postman on + 49 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Excellent book. The best post-apocalyptic I have read. Very believable characters. It's been a long time since I read the book, and I am considering ordering it and rereading it. That is rare for me.

I had been warned that the movie was horrible, so I skipped it. No regrets there.
ft-ball-fn avatar reviewed The Postman on + 33 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 5
Don't be put off by the movie. If you've read/liked Iron and Wolf, Lucifer's Hammer, Footfall, etc... you'll like this book. A great story of rebuilding after the complete breakdown of society. At first the main character travels around--having deserted the army when his battalion was ordered to guard food and starving civilians rioted. Soon he settles down in a seemingly safe town, however outside a madman has a large band of followers that is quickly becoming an army, looting and killing their way across the territory.

The main character has united local towns by establishing communications (through the postal service/pony express) and must marshall these forces to battle the madman or lose everything. This book is like a few parts all merged into one... some background on the main character and what happend to him as things fall apart (although this is intersperced throughout the story), then details of how he survives once things DO fall apart... then how he (sometimes unwillingly) takes a leadership role in pulling people and resources togeether and rebuilding.

A great PA story.
reviewed The Postman on + 6 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
LOVED IT!!! First book by Brin I've read, and I love the post apocalypse stuff. A little dated, but one can easily get past it. I want to read more of him but would like to avoid the ultra SF stuff. A LOT like THE STAND by S KING. which I also loved. Ignore the negative press from the movie and Read this. Ending a twist!
unholyblackdeath avatar reviewed The Postman on + 57 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
A classic! This book is fast paced and thought provoking. I couldn't put it down. The movie does not do it justice at all. (does it ever?) I consider this a must read.

I give it 5 stars.
reviewed The Postman on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
super better than the movie
Read All 38 Book Reviews of "The Postman"

Please Log in to Rate these Book Reviews

reviewed The Postman on + 34 more book reviews
This book is great, but it is obviously dated.
reviewed The Postman on
Don't make the mistake of judging this book by the movie. It is an awesome story that takes you very far from where you *think* you are going in the beginning. Definately worth a read.
reviewed The Postman on + 495 more book reviews
One of Brin's best-much much better than the movie
escapeartistk avatar reviewed The Postman on + 207 more book reviews
I liked this book well enough, but I didn't love it. At first I thought I would love it because the idea is really clever and the story was exciting in the beginning. However, I found the middle of the book a little slow at times. By the end, I felt like the author had included too many different elements, that the story would've been better had he just stuck with the initial idea.
beastie3 avatar reviewed The Postman on + 48 more book reviews
I would have to disagree with those who thought it was better than the movie. I really liked the movie and I disliked the book. However, if you've never seen the movie then it's a good read.
jazzysmom avatar reviewed The Postman on + 907 more book reviews
I loved the movie, but to tell the truth the book is soooo much better. It is one of my most favorite reads. What a wonderful way to spend a weekend, with this book.
reviewed The Postman on + 14 more book reviews
The book is a good companion to the movie.


Genres: