The Postmistress [Large Print] by Large Print Press - Large Print Edition | Historical Fiction Novel for Book Clubs & Relaxing Reading

This is a far deeper book than the 'publisher's blurbs' lead you to believe. I think some readers may have picked it up expecting a trite, fluffy romance, but the interview with Kathryn Stockett suggested there was more to it, and there is.The central theme of 'telling the story' is foreshadowed at the beginning by the author's objective treatment of Iris's initial visit to the doctor. In the hands of a less skillful writer this could have turned into a feminist rant. Instead it provides a non-judgmental backdrop for the way the story to come will be told.The story itself is the point of view. It is superbly written with many descriptive details, for example, the cigarettes the women keep in their skirt pockets. These details are all so well realized that the story takes on a life of its own and the narrative itself maintains the objectivity required of professional journalists in 1940 without compromising the story. It is a wonderful, believable, tragic, authentic story of the way it was.There are many memorable metaphors, for example, the sleeping baby's face "like a little skyless moon" (hmm... I guess that's a simile) but it's unforgettable anyway. The negative suffix '-less' is meaningful in this context on so many different levels! What a talented writer! I can't think of one other author I've read recently who has come up with anything close to that.One other feature that I particularly liked was the part at the end where Blake explained about her research for the book and to what extent it ties in with the reality of actual incidents that happenedI bought the Kindle edition of this book. I am going to be getting it in hardcover for my bookshelf. I will be rereading this one many many times.