The Postmistress by Sarah Blake

The Postmistress is set in the early days of World War II, in the town of Franklin, Massachusetts, on the tip of Cape Cod.  It covers the story of three women and how their lives intersect and how the war affects them.

Iris James is Franklin’s postmistress.  She takes the responsibility seriously and knows all about the town’s inhabitants.

Emma Trask just came to town as the town doctor’s wife.  Having been orphaned as a young girl, she is looking forward to “belonging” to someone and somewhere.

Frankie Bard is a radio reporter in London working with Edward R. Murrow.  Her desire is to covey to their listeners in the US the realities of war.  She is concerned that no one seems to believe the severity of the situation of the Jews.

Most people in Franklin think the War can’t touch them, but Iris and Emma have listened to Frankie’s reports and they know better.

I loved the history and scope of the novel. Ms. Blake does a great job of describing the horror of the blitz in London. The scenes of Frankie interacting and interviewing the Jews of Europe are chilling.  The way the novel comes together is believable and heat-warming. 

4 stars (Rated PG for disturbing image and brief sex scenes.)