Book Review: The Postmistress

Most WWII stories take place in Europe, once the war is in full swing since that seems to be the most gripping point of view.  Sarah Blake's novel, however, approaches the war from the American side, just as they are learning what is really going on in Europe.  But this story is about more than the war; it is about three women and how they handle news and shocking realities.  They must each decide if some things are better left unknown and if someone has the right to shelter others from the truth rather than the duty to share it.

The novel starts off slow but picks up by the 2nd half when the characters begin to connect.  Because a central point in the novel is that every story goes well beyond the brief moment you see - everyone has a back-story - I would have liked to learn more about the pasts of these three women and maybe even more of their future, particularly Emma, the Dr.'s widow.  The calm yet somewhat tense tone of the novel echos the calm before the storm moment in American history, yet I would have liked a little more action to award it more than 6 out of 10 stars.