Milioni di buste ingiallite giacciono dimenticate nelle immense sale dell’ufficio postale di Chicago, che ha appena annunciato la chiusura. Lettere che custodiscono promesse, decisioni, tradimenti, segreti. Non sono mai state consegnate. Si sono ammassate per anni, creando un enorme cumulo di parole sospese. È il 1966. La notizia dello scandalo travolge la città. Mentre la rabbia dei cittadini monta, l’ottantunenne Henry Walton decide di non restare a guardare. Per lui, quelle lettere non sono un inciampo sono destini interrotti. Occasioni perdute che, se restituite ai legittimi destinatari, potrebbero ancora cambiare qualcosa. Henry non può accettare che vengano distrutte o archiviate per sempre. Così prende una decisione rubarle e consegnarle, una per una, a chi avrebbe dovuto riceverle. Il suo piano, annotato su un foglietto accanto alla lista della spesa, è semplice e entrare di notte nell’ufficio postale e riportare le parole al loro destino. Sono in tanti ad aspettarle. C’è Roger, che avrebbe potuto perdonare suo padre. Ethel, rimasta senza una risposta nel momento del bisogno. Frank, che forse avrebbe visto la donna amata per altri cinque giorni. E c’è lo stesso Henry. Perché tra quelle buste sono custodite anche le tracce della sua storia familiare e di un amore che non ha mai smesso di aspettare. Ispirato a una storia vera, Il postino delle lettere perdute è un inno al potere della connessione umana. Un romanzo corale che intreccia trionfi e sconfitte, gioie e dolori, ricordandoci che siamo fatti delle parole che diciamo – e di quelle che rischiano di non arrivare mai.
April is a storyteller who finds heartwarming inspiration in little-known pieces of history. With a background in magazine publishing, she’s spent the last decade leading global content and engagement at a premium apparel brand. Born and raised in Southern Ontario, she now resides on the West Coast of Canada with her husband and a Greater Swiss Mountain Dog named Chief.
Review: Based on the real-life 1966 Chicago Postal Crisis when the post office had to shut down due to too much undelivered mail, debut author, April Howells, spins a heartwarming tale of an older postal carrier dedicated to his task even as his own memory is failing.
Several folks find it more than inconvenient when they discover they won’t be getting needed mail anytime soon when they encounter the locked doors of the Chicago Post Office. The Unforgettable Mailman shares about Henry who feels the need to make sure people get those letters that might mean a great deal of difference in their lives. Along the way, he learns of their lives, be friends a lost fellow named Roger, is cared for by his acquaintance and struggles with notes to himself and backtracking to persevere in the face of aging and failing memory.
The Unforgettable Mailman resonated with me as I begin the task of looking after my own aging relation with memory problems. The writing style and the sheer fabulous storytelling made this tale touch me deeply. Henry was an incredible golden soul whom I felt I got to know as he moved through people’s lives making his little bit of difference. And, the recipients were equally as fascinating with their needs for what those letters received would do to their lives and all the emotions this brought. The chapters were short episodes and this worked for this story that flew by fast because I kept wanting to know what would come next.
Gentle charmer, The Unforgettable Mailman, was a soft historical fiction focused on the characters, but still gave a sense of place and time for all that. Recommend for your cozy historical fiction pile.
I rec'd an eARC via Crooked Lane Books to read in exchange for an honest review.
My full review posted on my Instagram page on 6.12.26.
I went into this really wanting to love it. The premise is great, the historical angle is super interesting, and I’m always up for a found‑family vibe with a slow, cozy adventure. But the story just didn’t fully land for me.
I never felt truly connected to the characters, and Henry in particular was tough to read. He clearly shows signs of dementia or Alzheimer’s, and it honestly made me uncomfortable that no one around him stepped in or even seemed concerned about his safety. That disconnect pulled me out of the story more than once.
What I did appreciate was how the book wove in the real events of the 1966 postal shutdown. That part was fascinating and probably the strongest element for me.
If you’re looking for a gentle, meandering story about community and found family, this might hit the spot. It just wasn’t quite the emotional connection I was hoping for.
Thank you to NetGalley and Alcove Press for the gifted advance copy. All opinions are my own.
Sometimes a personal connection deepens a reader’s appreciation for a book. Sometimes it gets in the way.
Based on a true event in US Postal Service history, THE UNFORGETTABLE MAILMAN takes place in Chicago during 1966 amid an actual shutdown of the main post office resulting in a backlog of millions of pieces of mail. This is where we meet our hero, 81-year-old Henry Walton who takes it upon himself to deliver some of the backlogged mail.
Along the way, Henry meets some interesting recipients of the rescued mail. The letters he delivers elicit a variety of emotions: joy, sadness, fear, fury, hatred, and relief among them. We get glimpses into the thoughts of the letter writers which are a window into the social climate of the 1960s. There are many tender and charming moments and I was smitten with Henry.
And herein lies my problem. Henry is quite obviously suffering from some degree of dementia. He is not oriented to time or place or reality and should NEVER have been permitted to set off on a cross country driving adventure. Frankly, he should not have been driving at all. Perhaps I’m more sensitive due to my MIL’s advancing Alzheimer’s, but I struggled with no one stepping in to ensure Henry’s safety.
If you can ignore that (to me) major plot concern, this is a heartwarming story of found family.
3.5 ⭐️ I appreciated the book more towards the end. It was a combination of The Correspondence and Borrowed Life of Fredrick Fife. Heartwarming but a bit slow, especially at the start.
I found The Unforgettable Mailman, just that—Unforgettable!
Hope and life in shades of black and white. Though I was a lucky ARC reader, I purchased a hard copy. It’s that good, and that special. Set in the past, it’s a rollicking adventure with an ensemble cast led by an indomitable older adult on a mission. Refreshing! Henry, the protagonist, has his challenges, some insurmountable, and he manages, despite the odds, to power through. His get-up-and-do-something inspired on a deep level. Who wouldn’t crave more of that, especially right now?
I won’t ruin it with a blow-by-blow because the charm is in the discovery of storytelling through letters. It’s a style I’ve long enjoyed because it delivers an intimate experience. You’ll ride side-by-side with Henry on a drive of a lifetime. A captivating book, I related to it (seeing my grandmother in his forgetfulness) and the realization, sometimes forgotten, that small acts of kindness make all the difference in the world.
Witty and quirky characters abound, each with their own stories threaded together by optimism, sorrow, disappointment, joy, purpose, and unlikely friendships. It’s heartwarming and, above all, real. What emerges is the importance of connection and communication, and how it binds and uplifts us. I loved the grace and humanity, and will definitely go back for seconds and thirds! Oh, and of course, recommend it.
Meet Henry, a spry octogenarian. He might not remember you, but you won’t soon forget him…
The Unforgettable Mailman is exactly what its title promises — a story that stays with you. April Howells delivers a tender, life-affirming novel about memory, purpose, and the quiet beauty of connection that feels like a warm hug for the soul.
Henry Walton is the kind of character you instantly root for: charmingly stubborn, deeply kind, and determined to make a difference even as his own memory begins to slip. His journey through 1960s Chicago, delivering long-forgotten letters, becomes a moving exploration of love, loss, and the ways our stories intertwine.
Howells’ writing is both nostalgic and sharply observant — full of humor, heart, and hope. There’s a gentle melancholy woven through the joy, reminding readers that even when memories fade, the impact of kindness does not.
If you loved A Man Called Ove or The Lost Letters of William Woolf, this book will absolutely capture your heart.
Heartfelt, wise, and beautifully written — The Unforgettable Mailman reminds us that it’s never too late to make a meaningful connection.
The writing didn’t reach the imagination, in my opinion. Had a hard time keeping myself interested in this story. Was disappointed, had higher hopes for this book then what I experienced.
The Unforgettable Mailman takes you on a trip through memory lane--the time when people only used ZIP codes if they felt like it (they were that new!) and sent short notes about random things. "I saw this dress in the Montgomery Ward catalog. You'd look great in it. What about olive for me? I'll order as soon as I hear back!" alongside Dear John letters and long-overdue apologies.
Henry hears the post office in Chicago has closed its door due to millions of undelivered letters and makes it his mission to grab some and start delivering. All over Chicago, Iowa, Nebraska, Dakotas, and even up into Canada! And... despite dementia that keeps his memory from firing on all cylinders, he does not forget that he has this mission.
That was one of the best things about this book. While it was sad to see some of the things he forgot, in general, it was such an upbeat story about a guy whose memory failed him on an hourly basis sometimes. Usually, dementia stories are heartbreakng if occasionally funny. This one? Inspiring! I can't say more without spoilers, but this book hit all the right notes. My only quibles are the handful of unnecessary foul words sprinkled through it. There aren't many, but they are there.
💌 una storia super delicata, che fa riferimento alla vera sospensione delle attività dell’ufficio postale di Chicago del 1966, e che viene qui utilizzata come sfondo a una storia davvero unica ed emozionante
Finalmente una lettura con i fiocchi. Un libro che mi ha tenuta incollata alle pagine. Il signor Henry e la sua missione mi hanno molto coinvolta. La comparsa di Roger è la ciliegina sulla torta. Un bel mix di emozioni, tutte meravigliosamente descritte. Super consigliato!
Cute little story about the Chicago post office shutdown in the 1960s of a fictional elderly man who makes it his mission to deliver hundreds of pieces of mail
A beautifully told, heartwarming story that really touched me and will stay with me long after reading.
You follow the elderly main character Henry who embarks on a personal mission to rescue and deliver abandoned mail in the Chicago post office in the 1960s. He meets lots of people along the way and you also read the mail he is delivering which tell their own stories. This is perfect if you enjoyed Virginia Evans' The Correspondent or any Fredrik Backman books. Highly recommend!
This was such a wonderful combination of adventure, heart, and humour. I was tearing through the pages, totally caught up in the adventure and keen to find out what happened next, but would find myself often needing to pause and reflect because within the fast-paced adventure the author managed to write so simply, profoundly, and beautifully about how it feels to lose one's memory. There are also so many little pockets on Henry's journey that had me giggling out loud and cheering him on. A great cast of characters, and just the perfect balance of funny moments, moments that have you saying "ok just ONE more chapter", and moments that might have you wiping tears away. One of those life-affirming books you are just so eager to press into other peoples hands so you can discuss it!
In 1966, the Chicago Post Office shut down for three weeks to deal with a backlog of ten million items of mail. April Howells has created a heartwarming fictional story about this event. The story is told from the viewpoints of various lively characters: Henry is an eighty-year-old man who takes it upon himself to deliver some of the backlogged post. Stan is a retired postal worker and Henry’s friend. Against his better judgement, he helps Henry break into the post office and steal a sack of letters. Fletcher, the hesitant security guard, catches a glimpse of Henry and gets in trouble for failing to stop the theft. He’s tasked with tracking down the elderly thief. Stokes, the incompetent, nasty post office manager, fixates on finding Henry rather than solving the backlog. Brenda, Stokes’s put-upon assistant, is tired of getting overlooked and may just have a way of dealing with the crisis for her own ends. Roger, an awkward, unhappy teenager, crosses paths with Henry as he undertakes his clandestine mail deliveries.
We also meet various recipients of the post Henry delivers and, through the contents of the letters and in their dialogues with Henry, we get a snapshot of their lives and learn more of Henry’s poignant backstory.
I liked the author’s use of short chapters and this kept me turning the pages. The fluently written story is light in tone but touches on social and racial unrest and inequality in 1960s America. Has it been optioned yet? Shift the setting back two months and there’s a Christmas feelgood movie just waiting to be made. With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
Het audioboek begint met een lofzang voor RB media the largest audiobook producer in the world. Nou dat hadden ze beter stil kunnen houden want de kwaliteit was waardeloos. Intonatie en leestekens schenen optioneel. Er zitten heel veel stukjes patchwork in, duidelijk een paar woorden herstelt ipv een zin of liever nog een stukje en dat is hoorbaar in hoogte van de stem en achtergrondgeluid. Het verhaal zelf is in de basis waargebeurd maar op punten ongeloofwaardig en heel kinderlijk aangekleed. Samen met de saaie stem en een irritant Chicago accent wilde ik het boek een zwieper geven.. maar de boodschap in het verhaal is wel weer lief.
I happened upon the author signing books at a bookshop in Victoria, BC, so I was so excited to buy a copy and dive into the story of Henry and his mission to deliver letters. He meets so many wonderful people along the way and the reader learns more about the circumstances between the letters. I wish there had been more depth to the meetings and to Henry himself, who you get glimpses of but not quite enough to really connect with him and his recipients. Otherwise, this was a cute story that was both heartwarming and touching.
What a beautiful, endearing debut novel! I enjoyed this "edge-of- the-seat" adventure of Henry's immensely! Great story-telling and an important glimpse into the effects of aging to reflect upon after reading it. If you enjoyed reading Frederick Backman's, A Man Called Ove, you'll love this novel.
Cute story! This book was about an older gentleman who decides to take the Chicago Post Office backlog into his own hands. Although he is struggling with Alzheimer’s, one thing he never forgets is the power of words. He takes it upon himself to deliver letters and share their story. Also had some quirky humor!
Mixed feelings about the ending, but it was also really tender. Parts of it dragged a little bit for me, but give me a geriatric main character with a heart of gold and it automatically gets at least 4 stars :)
Chicago, 1966, the post office closes down due to a backlog( true event). Henry Walton, an 81 year old suffering dementia decides to break into the post office; he takes about 300 letters and sets out to deliver them. Funny; enjoyable story
Between a 4 and 5. I was really committed at the beginning and lost a little bit of the oomph during certain parts. Overall, very good, and worth the read if you have time.
4⭐️. This book felt like a hug for my soul and I just adored the main character, 81-year-old Henry Walton with a heart of gold and a failing mind. This book takes place in 1966 Chicago during the massive postal backlog crisis (I actually learned a lot in this book about mail and the Chicago post office). Henry sets out on a quest to deliver some of the mail and the heist, the journey, the chase, the amazing side characters that you either love or hate, all come to life in such a delightful way. I really liked how the letters were embedded into the book, often giving fun glimpses of nuggets of info, and how the layers were revealed about Henry’s life as his memories came and went. The book felt almost vintage in its prose and style, an innocence about it yet hard themes were definitely explored. I didn’t think I would be binging a book about mail, but I sure did, and I loved it.
I absolutely loved this book. I loved the storyline and how the story weaved. The way that letters were added in between the story line really brought it all together.
Another part I appreciated was that the ending was not predictable. I read a lot and like to be surprised.
My favourite part was Henry’s motto but if you want to find out what that is, you’ll need to read it for yourself.
il libro mi è piaciuto però leggendo la trama e vedendo a primo impatto che nel libro erano presenti molte lettere mi aspettavo che quest’ultime (almeno qualcuna) avessero un significato più profondo nella storia. invece così non è stato e questo mi è dispiaciuto molto perché poteva, a mio avviso, dare un spinta interessante al libro. ovviamente le lettere sono il punto chiave nel libro però non ti fanno entrare nella vita dei personaggi e di chi le ha scritte. ho apprezzato l’idea del romanzo ,la scrittura dell’autrice, e anche l’ambientazione storica . ma mancava qualcosa.
Loosely based on true events, this book taught me about the mail system in the 60s. Even though it was very slow at times, I would have cut at least 200 pages from it. I found this book both humorous and heartwarming.