Helpful Score: 1
The Secret Life of Albert Entwisle by Matt Cain is heartbreaking, life-affirming, and ultimately hopeful. It's perfect that it published on the eve of Pride Month.
Readers who loved Hubert Bird in All the Lonely People will make a new friend in Albert Entwistle. He's a quiet British postal worker whose life includes only his job, his home, and his cat Gracie. He's friendly with some of the people on his route, but he has no friends or family. Shocked to receive his mandatory retirement notice just before his 65th birthday, Albert can't imagine how he will fill his days. When he reflects upon his life and recalls fond memories of George, his first true love, Albert decides to track him down even though they haven't been in contact for 40+ years.
The novel is part coming-out story and part social commentary on British society's rocky road toward acceptance of gay men. The audiobook included excerpts read by the author from interviews with men who experienced ridicule and shame in their younger years for being gay - tragic yet powerful. A considerable portion of the story is told in flashbacks of Albert's teen years as he develops strong feelings for his schoolmate George until a tragic night severs their budding relationship.
In the present-time storyline, my heart was happy every time Albert made a connection with someone by revealing his long-hidden true self, was received with warmth and acceptance, and he advanced his search for George.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy of the audiobook expertly narrated by Simon Vance. I'm confident Albert will make many more friends as he makes his way into the world.
Readers who loved Hubert Bird in All the Lonely People will make a new friend in Albert Entwistle. He's a quiet British postal worker whose life includes only his job, his home, and his cat Gracie. He's friendly with some of the people on his route, but he has no friends or family. Shocked to receive his mandatory retirement notice just before his 65th birthday, Albert can't imagine how he will fill his days. When he reflects upon his life and recalls fond memories of George, his first true love, Albert decides to track him down even though they haven't been in contact for 40+ years.
The novel is part coming-out story and part social commentary on British society's rocky road toward acceptance of gay men. The audiobook included excerpts read by the author from interviews with men who experienced ridicule and shame in their younger years for being gay - tragic yet powerful. A considerable portion of the story is told in flashbacks of Albert's teen years as he develops strong feelings for his schoolmate George until a tragic night severs their budding relationship.
In the present-time storyline, my heart was happy every time Albert made a connection with someone by revealing his long-hidden true self, was received with warmth and acceptance, and he advanced his search for George.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the review copy of the audiobook expertly narrated by Simon Vance. I'm confident Albert will make many more friends as he makes his way into the world.
Helpful Score: 1
What a lovely book.... I can only hope that someone out there is opting to make this a movie!
