Beryl W. reviewed on 6/12/2010 + 44 more book reviews

Helpful Score: 2

This book revolves around the lives of three women, very different from each other, who's lives intersect as a result of WWII in the early 1940's before the U.S. became involved. Iris James, the postmaster in the small town of Franklin Mass., Emma Fitch, new wife of the town doctor, herself an orphan, and Frankie Bard, an American reporter broadcasting from London during the Blitz. Both Iris and Emma listen to The London broadcasts by Frankie unaware that their paths will eventually cross. The main, and most riviting character is Frankie. Through her eyes and voice, we can feel the reality of what is happening in Europe, which also fuels the tension at home. Her most notable achievement is a recording device which she uses to record the voices, ages and homeland of the frantically fleeing refugees, especially the Jews. She sees first hand the magnitude of their plight and experiences intense frustruation that the United States especially does not seem to understand the urgency to come to their aid. Hers are the most monumental and moving passages in the book. Emma's husband, the doctor, has felt a compelling need to go to London to help those injured in the bombing anad has a brief chance encounter with Frankie, one that leaves a lasting impression on her. She holds in her hand a letter to post to his wife, which in the end, she chooses to hand deliver. It is for this reason, I believe that SHE is the postmistress for which the book is named, not Iris, who considers herself a 'postmaster.' The paths of the three women cross when Frankie arrives in Franklin Mass. to deliver the letter to Emma. I liked the book immensly,
though I felt an inordinate amount of time was spent going over and over the same ground with Iris and Emma. Their characters were pale in comparassion to Frankie. She carried the whole book with her pluck and courage.

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