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The Postman
This is the story of a lie that became the most powerful kind of truth.
A timeless novel as urgently compelling as Warday or Alas, Babylon, David Brin's The Postman is the dramatically moving saga of a man who rekindled the spirit of America through the power of a dream, from a modern master of science fiction.
He was a survivor—a wanderer who traded tales for food and shelter in the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating war. Fate touches him one chill winter's day when he borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker to protect himself from the cold. The old, worn uniform still has power as a symbol of hope, and with it he begins to weave his greatest tale, of a nation on the road to recovery.
A timeless novel as urgently compelling as Warday or Alas, Babylon, David Brin's The Postman is the dramatically moving saga of a man who rekindled the spirit of America through the power of a dream, from a modern master of science fiction.
He was a survivor—a wanderer who traded tales for food and shelter in the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating war. Fate touches him one chill winter's day when he borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker to protect himself from the cold. The old, worn uniform still has power as a symbol of hope, and with it he begins to weave his greatest tale, of a nation on the road to recovery.
321 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1985
920 people are currently reading
25622 people want to read
About the author
David Brin
320 books3,297 followersDavid Brin is a scientist, speaker, and world-known author. His novels have been New York Times Bestsellers, winning multiple Hugo, Nebula and other awards. At least a dozen have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Existence, his latest novel, offers an unusual scenario for first contact. His ecological thriller, Earth, foreshadowed global warming, cyberwarfare and near-future trends such as the World Wide Web. A movie, directed by Kevin Costner, was loosely based on his post-apocalyptic novel, The Postman. Startide Rising won the Hugo and Nebula Awards for best novel. The Uplift War also won the Hugo Award.
His non-fiction book -- The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Freedom and Privacy? -- deals with secrecy in the modern world. It won the Freedom of Speech Prize from the American Library Association.
Brin serves on advisory committees dealing with subjects as diverse as national defense and homeland security, astronomy and space exploration, SETI, nanotechnology, and philanthropy.
David appears frequently on TV, including "The Universe" and on the History Channel's "Life After People."
Full and updated at:
http://www.davidbrin.com/biography.htm
Existence, his latest novel, offers an unusual scenario for first contact. His ecological thriller, Earth, foreshadowed global warming, cyberwarfare and near-future trends such as the World Wide Web. A movie, directed by Kevin Costner, was loosely based on his post-apocalyptic novel, The Postman. Startide Rising won the Hugo and Nebula Awards for best novel. The Uplift War also won the Hugo Award.
His non-fiction book -- The Transparent Society: Will Technology Force Us to Choose Between Freedom and Privacy? -- deals with secrecy in the modern world. It won the Freedom of Speech Prize from the American Library Association.
Brin serves on advisory committees dealing with subjects as diverse as national defense and homeland security, astronomy and space exploration, SETI, nanotechnology, and philanthropy.
David appears frequently on TV, including "The Universe" and on the History Channel's "Life After People."
Full and updated at:
http://www.davidbrin.com/biography.htm
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,828 reviews
August 29, 2018
Good post-apocalyptic SF.
David Brin’s 1985 novel, really a put together of two novellas, has won numerous accolades and gushing praise, including the 1986 Locus Award. And for good reason, Brin is a good writer and backs up his prose with real science.
More than just a Road Warrior after civilization story, Brin explores themes of the frailty of civil society, but also the perseverance of that same community and the importance of belief in tradition and national identity.
A survivor dons an old postal inspector uniform and becomes the personification of a lost ideal. The red-white-and-blue shoulder insignia means something to these fighters, and to those too young to remember the United States, he becomes symbol of lost idealism. Brin adeptly blends with this concept a heaping side order of irony and good storytelling to make this a memorable read with lots of good quotes.
Not perfect, this could also be fragmented and with inconsistent pacing; but still good speculative fiction.
I’ll read more from Brin.
David Brin’s 1985 novel, really a put together of two novellas, has won numerous accolades and gushing praise, including the 1986 Locus Award. And for good reason, Brin is a good writer and backs up his prose with real science.
More than just a Road Warrior after civilization story, Brin explores themes of the frailty of civil society, but also the perseverance of that same community and the importance of belief in tradition and national identity.
A survivor dons an old postal inspector uniform and becomes the personification of a lost ideal. The red-white-and-blue shoulder insignia means something to these fighters, and to those too young to remember the United States, he becomes symbol of lost idealism. Brin adeptly blends with this concept a heaping side order of irony and good storytelling to make this a memorable read with lots of good quotes.
Not perfect, this could also be fragmented and with inconsistent pacing; but still good speculative fiction.
I’ll read more from Brin.
June 7, 2021
One of my all time favorite books, no question. I don't give out many 5 star ratings. Here I give it enthusiastically.
I stumbled on this book some years ago and frankly was surprised at how much I liked it. There are a lot of post apocalyptic books out there. They run the proverbial gamut from excellent to unreadable. This is actually not only a good one, but one of the best.
No spoilers, but we pick up some years after "the collapse" when the infrastructure of the country has ceased to exist. Our hero spots a scam that will help him survive but....he always wonders about the bigger questions of life and of survival. One of the main questions he confronts (constantly) is, who will accept responsibility? Society has destroyed itself. Humans may or may not survive. Life itself may not survive in the forms it has been known, that itself is still in the balance. The question of responsibility goes deeper than the momentary events that triggered the collapse, much deeper? Who will take responsibility? Go on from there.
I've read other books by David Brin, some I've liked some...not so much. But this is one of those times when I think a writer hits the top of his game. Character driven AND plot driven this book, this story and this character stay with you...they have with me.
My highest recommendation.
By the way, this is another book that is the victim of an unfortunate movie attempt. Now while I think the people behind the movie may have "wanted" to do the book justice and may even have been moved by it, they just failed to capture the heart of this one. As I said, I don't hand out a lot of 5 star ratings. This is one of the books I've loaned, given away, and recommended widely. I like it, I try to always have a copy on my shelves, and I recommend it.
I stumbled on this book some years ago and frankly was surprised at how much I liked it. There are a lot of post apocalyptic books out there. They run the proverbial gamut from excellent to unreadable. This is actually not only a good one, but one of the best.
No spoilers, but we pick up some years after "the collapse" when the infrastructure of the country has ceased to exist. Our hero spots a scam that will help him survive but....he always wonders about the bigger questions of life and of survival. One of the main questions he confronts (constantly) is, who will accept responsibility? Society has destroyed itself. Humans may or may not survive. Life itself may not survive in the forms it has been known, that itself is still in the balance. The question of responsibility goes deeper than the momentary events that triggered the collapse, much deeper? Who will take responsibility? Go on from there.
I've read other books by David Brin, some I've liked some...not so much. But this is one of those times when I think a writer hits the top of his game. Character driven AND plot driven this book, this story and this character stay with you...they have with me.
My highest recommendation.
By the way, this is another book that is the victim of an unfortunate movie attempt. Now while I think the people behind the movie may have "wanted" to do the book justice and may even have been moved by it, they just failed to capture the heart of this one. As I said, I don't hand out a lot of 5 star ratings. This is one of the books I've loaned, given away, and recommended widely. I like it, I try to always have a copy on my shelves, and I recommend it.
December 18, 2017
“The heart of my story… about a flawed and fretful hero who feels guilt over telling a beautiful lie, in order to survive.”
That is David Brin’s very nice summary of The Postman his best novel (IMO). This is from an article celebrating the 20th anniversary of the movie adaptation.
In my experience people who pretend to be postmen are usually up to no good, they are more apt to enter your homes under false pretenses and rob you blind than attempt to unite the post apocalyptic Disunited States of America. The protagonist of this book has to be the most heroic postman in fiction. You thought Postman Pat and Cliff Clavin from Cheers are the bees knees? They got nothing on Gordon The Postman, he really knows how to deliver!
This is the second Brin book for me, the previous one I read was Startide Rising which was fun but just a wee bit disappointing in that it did not resonate with me much (those "uplifted" dolphins are just a little too cute for me, even the badass ones). Still, I like Brin's writing and the basic premise of The Postman so I thought I'd give it a go, and it turned out to be one of my more inspired decisions. An optimistic post apocalypse book is a rarity, if this is a sub-sub genre I doubt it will catch on, you don't warn people about the errors of their ways only to have things eventually turning out OK. I think this book is more about idealism than a commentary about where the world is heading today. It is about a lie that grows into a truth rather than “A lie told often enough becomes the truth” which is an entirely different mailbag.
While the story is sentimental in places, and not entirely unpredictable or cliche-free, Mr. Brin pushes the right buttons most of the time (leaving the left buttons entirely untouched). He has me cheering "AMERICA F*CK YEAH!" and I am not even American. I also like it that when the climactic kickassery ensues it is not between the titular Postman and the "boss villain", let the more interesting side character do the heavy lifting for a change. This is an excellent read that touches me at the emotional core. Five stars? I'd award it all the stars in the sky plus those residing in Hollywood!
Note:
The Postman: A Re-appraisal and Reader's Guide by David Brin.
That is David Brin’s very nice summary of The Postman his best novel (IMO). This is from an article celebrating the 20th anniversary of the movie adaptation.
In my experience people who pretend to be postmen are usually up to no good, they are more apt to enter your homes under false pretenses and rob you blind than attempt to unite the post apocalyptic Disunited States of America. The protagonist of this book has to be the most heroic postman in fiction. You thought Postman Pat and Cliff Clavin from Cheers are the bees knees? They got nothing on Gordon The Postman, he really knows how to deliver!
This is the second Brin book for me, the previous one I read was Startide Rising which was fun but just a wee bit disappointing in that it did not resonate with me much (those "uplifted" dolphins are just a little too cute for me, even the badass ones). Still, I like Brin's writing and the basic premise of The Postman so I thought I'd give it a go, and it turned out to be one of my more inspired decisions. An optimistic post apocalypse book is a rarity, if this is a sub-sub genre I doubt it will catch on, you don't warn people about the errors of their ways only to have things eventually turning out OK. I think this book is more about idealism than a commentary about where the world is heading today. It is about a lie that grows into a truth rather than “A lie told often enough becomes the truth” which is an entirely different mailbag.
While the story is sentimental in places, and not entirely unpredictable or cliche-free, Mr. Brin pushes the right buttons most of the time (leaving the left buttons entirely untouched). He has me cheering "AMERICA F*CK YEAH!" and I am not even American. I also like it that when the climactic kickassery ensues it is not between the titular Postman and the "boss villain", let the more interesting side character do the heavy lifting for a change. This is an excellent read that touches me at the emotional core. Five stars? I'd award it all the stars in the sky plus those residing in Hollywood!
Note:
The Postman: A Re-appraisal and Reader's Guide by David Brin.
June 1, 2024
I wish I could give this book 2.5 stars.
First let me say I have to go against the overwhelming tide of opinion that holds this novel to be an excellent work. Not that it's terrible, but it wasn't what I expected - or wanted.
The first half of the novel isn't bad as we accompany the protagonist and his effort to survive in post-apocalyptic America. The character isn't heroic. Instead he's a survivor. And then we get started with the postman charade. At first it has potential - the reestablishing of communications to rebuild civilization. The lowly mailman as savior or at least re-builder. It's interesting to note that the movie (hated by many, but not me *sigh*) ran with this part of the story and for good reason. The mundane civil servant is now heroic. Very intriguing. But then David Brin, ex-NASA scientist, has to bring in technology. Suddenly we have genetically engineered super-soldiers, a Supercomputer and something called neo-hippie technology. In one quick turn we are in a world involving resurrected 1960's philosophy!
This is a problem. The book wanders around, looking for some kind of philosophical grounding. Why? Isn't it enough to have a story about the rebuilding of the country? Or did David Brin become bored with such an Earthy story and feel the need to go into space - so to speak. No, I believe this book suffers from a lack of focus. A good idea, but not carried out completely.
First let me say I have to go against the overwhelming tide of opinion that holds this novel to be an excellent work. Not that it's terrible, but it wasn't what I expected - or wanted.
The first half of the novel isn't bad as we accompany the protagonist and his effort to survive in post-apocalyptic America. The character isn't heroic. Instead he's a survivor. And then we get started with the postman charade. At first it has potential - the reestablishing of communications to rebuild civilization. The lowly mailman as savior or at least re-builder. It's interesting to note that the movie (hated by many, but not me *sigh*) ran with this part of the story and for good reason. The mundane civil servant is now heroic. Very intriguing. But then David Brin, ex-NASA scientist, has to bring in technology. Suddenly we have genetically engineered super-soldiers, a Supercomputer and something called neo-hippie technology. In one quick turn we are in a world involving resurrected 1960's philosophy!
This is a problem. The book wanders around, looking for some kind of philosophical grounding. Why? Isn't it enough to have a story about the rebuilding of the country? Or did David Brin become bored with such an Earthy story and feel the need to go into space - so to speak. No, I believe this book suffers from a lack of focus. A good idea, but not carried out completely.
August 17, 2021
This is a re-read but here's a funny thing: I feel exactly the same about it now as I did when I read it over 30 years ago.
Optimism and idealism spitting in the face of opportunism and cynicism.
I mean, even when you're reading this and the MC IS opportunistic and cynical, the fact that he takes on a ROLE, a MYTH, is enough to spark a light in everyone's imaginations.
Fake it till you make it.
And eventually, all the things he might have been lying about become true.
And after all this, even in today's evil times, isn't this what we need? We're not civil. We're almost barbarians. Civilization is one of the biggest lies and yet, if we all believe in it, it CAN come true.
I'm not even going to mention the movie more than this: the book is superior, has better aspects, and doesn't have the horrible choices of the cast.
Optimism and idealism spitting in the face of opportunism and cynicism.
I mean, even when you're reading this and the MC IS opportunistic and cynical, the fact that he takes on a ROLE, a MYTH, is enough to spark a light in everyone's imaginations.
Fake it till you make it.
And eventually, all the things he might have been lying about become true.
And after all this, even in today's evil times, isn't this what we need? We're not civil. We're almost barbarians. Civilization is one of the biggest lies and yet, if we all believe in it, it CAN come true.
I'm not even going to mention the movie more than this: the book is superior, has better aspects, and doesn't have the horrible choices of the cast.
July 1, 2025
Постапокалиптичен роман, който е и сред най-добрите в жанра - по мое мнение.
Брин е създал книга за силата на надеждата и за това, че понякога само един човек - мечтател или новатор, е способен да взриви натрупаната критична маса и да промени света драстично.
Филмът с Кевин Костнър в ролята на Гордън също много ми хареса.
Брин е създал книга за силата на надеждата и за това, че понякога само един човек - мечтател или новатор, е способен да взриви натрупаната критична маса и да промени света драстично.
Филмът с Кевин Костнър в ролята на Гордън също много ми хареса.
August 18, 2021
Hello, Mr. Postman!
*snickers*
Yes, I'll admit it, I've seen the movie with Kevin Costner and I liked it. In fact, I’m gonna re-watch it tonight.
As with many movies from my childhood/teenage years, I didn't know there was a book. As soon as I did, it became clear that it might be a good idea to read it.
We are in a post-apocalyptic world. The worst shit hit the fan about 16 years ago only. Thus, there are definitely some people left who remember the "before". But it was already bad before that final event. Apparently, there was at least one natural catastrophe of some sort (volcano, earthquakes, melting of ice caps) and that caused a nuclear war. Definitely, a number of EMPs wreaked havoc and the release of bio-weapons didn’t help either. However, humanity actually would have been able to pull itself together - if it hadn’t been for the "survivalists", a group rallying around an author called Nathan Holns, who wanted a violent, misogynistic, and militaristic society. The attacks of these "survivalists" prevented a recovery and meant the end. No communication between different settlements, no cooperation regarding food and medicine etc.
In this world, a former drama student named Gordon tries to survive. He therefore wanders what is left of the continental USA, trading Shakespeare performances for food and temporary shelter until he comes across an old car that belonged to the fabled Post Office. You see, the shit might have hit the fan, but some form of government tried to keep things going until the final collapse and the Post Office was a big part of that. The uniform, though neither police nor military, therefore stands for quite some standards and principles. Gordon, however, only dons the uniform for warmth because he lost almost all his possessions to bandits recently.
Not very surprisingly, he soon finds himself becoming a symbol of hope - accidentally at first and then as a deliberate ploy. And in this fucked up remnant of a world, that is not only powerful but also powerfully dangerous ...
But can a nation really be rebuilt on hope and dreams alone?
This is the first section of the book and basically what we know from the movie.
But the book doesn’t stop there. Instead, there is the second part with Cyclops - - and the community it leads. And, last but not least, the third section with several groups fighting the hyper-survivalists ().
Basically, the book is about reviving civilization, about hope, but also about what really brought civilization to its knees in the first place: it wasn’t the EMPs, the nukes or the bio-weapons but rather terrible people who preyed on humanitarian workers and attacked communities when they needed help.
The writing style very much appealed to be thanks to its simplicity that nevertheless invoked this post-apocalyptic world in very nice details.
Moreover, I kinda liked that optimism and idealism were pitted against cynicism and nay-saying.
Plus, I liked that Gordon was just a guy. Any guy, really, who just hoped and dreamt. Or, in other words: one who had to fake it 'til he made it (). *lol*
Concluding, upon having just re-watched the movie, I can say that it actually is quite bad (even without comparing it to the book) and that nostalgia must have made me forget the stupid mistakes (of which there is an abundance). But even if not, movies usually are a paper napkin whereas books are a flying carpet. Part of the message is there, but it's too "flat" and "pale" in comparison.
*snickers*
Yes, I'll admit it, I've seen the movie with Kevin Costner and I liked it. In fact, I’m gonna re-watch it tonight.
As with many movies from my childhood/teenage years, I didn't know there was a book. As soon as I did, it became clear that it might be a good idea to read it.
We are in a post-apocalyptic world. The worst shit hit the fan about 16 years ago only. Thus, there are definitely some people left who remember the "before". But it was already bad before that final event. Apparently, there was at least one natural catastrophe of some sort (volcano, earthquakes, melting of ice caps) and that caused a nuclear war. Definitely, a number of EMPs wreaked havoc and the release of bio-weapons didn’t help either. However, humanity actually would have been able to pull itself together - if it hadn’t been for the "survivalists", a group rallying around an author called Nathan Holns, who wanted a violent, misogynistic, and militaristic society. The attacks of these "survivalists" prevented a recovery and meant the end. No communication between different settlements, no cooperation regarding food and medicine etc.
In this world, a former drama student named Gordon tries to survive. He therefore wanders what is left of the continental USA, trading Shakespeare performances for food and temporary shelter until he comes across an old car that belonged to the fabled Post Office. You see, the shit might have hit the fan, but some form of government tried to keep things going until the final collapse and the Post Office was a big part of that. The uniform, though neither police nor military, therefore stands for quite some standards and principles. Gordon, however, only dons the uniform for warmth because he lost almost all his possessions to bandits recently.
Not very surprisingly, he soon finds himself becoming a symbol of hope - accidentally at first and then as a deliberate ploy. And in this fucked up remnant of a world, that is not only powerful but also powerfully dangerous ...
But can a nation really be rebuilt on hope and dreams alone?
This is the first section of the book and basically what we know from the movie.
But the book doesn’t stop there. Instead, there is the second part with Cyclops - - and the community it leads. And, last but not least, the third section with several groups fighting the hyper-survivalists ().
Basically, the book is about reviving civilization, about hope, but also about what really brought civilization to its knees in the first place: it wasn’t the EMPs, the nukes or the bio-weapons but rather terrible people who preyed on humanitarian workers and attacked communities when they needed help.
The writing style very much appealed to be thanks to its simplicity that nevertheless invoked this post-apocalyptic world in very nice details.
Moreover, I kinda liked that optimism and idealism were pitted against cynicism and nay-saying.
Plus, I liked that Gordon was just a guy. Any guy, really, who just hoped and dreamt. Or, in other words: one who had to fake it 'til he made it (). *lol*
Concluding, upon having just re-watched the movie, I can say that it actually is quite bad (even without comparing it to the book) and that nostalgia must have made me forget the stupid mistakes (of which there is an abundance). But even if not, movies usually are a paper napkin whereas books are a flying carpet. Part of the message is there, but it's too "flat" and "pale" in comparison.
February 15, 2011
6.0 stars. This book is the newest addition to my list of ALL TIME FAVORITE novels. Simply put, I loved this story and characters with whom David Brin has populated it. The story is a post-apocalyptic novel set in a future United States in which society has collapsed. However, within this setting the book is really about civilization and the symbols that people rally behind in difficult situations in order to accomplish larger goals beyond their own interests.
The main character is Gordon Krantz, a decent man who finds an old Postal uniform and uses it to gain food and shelter in his travels by spreading tales of a “Restored United States.” While begun as a “con” to simply survive, Gordon eventually sees the power of the hope he brings to the people he meets and eventually sees that belief in the dream can actually help to make it real.
Throughout the novel there are various symbols that people rally behind beyond the Postman himself. I don’t want to give away the others as it would require a spoiler. I will just say that I thought this was a well written, powerful novel about hope and renewal and I thought it was an absolutely amazing read. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!
Nominee: Hugo Award for Best Science Fiction novel
Nominee: Nebula Award for Best Science Fiction novel
Winner: John W. Campbell Award for Best novel
Winner: Locus Award for Best Science Fiction novel
The main character is Gordon Krantz, a decent man who finds an old Postal uniform and uses it to gain food and shelter in his travels by spreading tales of a “Restored United States.” While begun as a “con” to simply survive, Gordon eventually sees the power of the hope he brings to the people he meets and eventually sees that belief in the dream can actually help to make it real.
Throughout the novel there are various symbols that people rally behind beyond the Postman himself. I don’t want to give away the others as it would require a spoiler. I will just say that I thought this was a well written, powerful novel about hope and renewal and I thought it was an absolutely amazing read. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!
Nominee: Hugo Award for Best Science Fiction novel
Nominee: Nebula Award for Best Science Fiction novel
Winner: John W. Campbell Award for Best novel
Winner: Locus Award for Best Science Fiction novel
June 17, 2011
Of course, I thought I'd be different and actually enjoy this book since I really enjoyed the movie. But, no. What a train wreck! The first half was great; I'd give it 4.5 stars. A post-apocalyptic wandering bard finds a postman's outfit and begins delivering the mail, hope, and unity to the scattered masses. Lovely. It could have cleanly ended there and all would have been well.
The second half of the book is, at best, 1.5 stars. It's as if someone else wrote it, and it barely resembles the first half of the book at all with its "three myths". These myths (that would have been better left out) are an obvious wizard of Oz, a foolish band of feminist warriors (who infiltrate the enemy's beds), and augmented super soldiers (one of which is a hippy martial arts new age "dude"). The author also throws in some drug-laced tobacco into the mix (which I'm pretty sure contributed to the author's insane writing of the second half of the book).
Save yourself the trouble before reading; rip out the last half of the book and burn it. Don't put yourself through the misery. Really. And if you don't, don't say I didn't warn you.
The second half of the book is, at best, 1.5 stars. It's as if someone else wrote it, and it barely resembles the first half of the book at all with its "three myths". These myths (that would have been better left out) are an obvious wizard of Oz, a foolish band of feminist warriors (who infiltrate the enemy's beds), and augmented super soldiers (one of which is a hippy martial arts new age "dude"). The author also throws in some drug-laced tobacco into the mix (which I'm pretty sure contributed to the author's insane writing of the second half of the book).
Save yourself the trouble before reading; rip out the last half of the book and burn it. Don't put yourself through the misery. Really. And if you don't, don't say I didn't warn you.
March 27, 2020
I never saw the movie and I took a good long time to get around to the book, but I really like this one.
It's a cautionary, yet reassuring, story. A good fit for the apocalyptic feel of our current world situation.
Having grown up in western Oregon and visited most of the cities mentioned in the book, there was an added a extra sense of reality for me. Something missing from the many 'set in LA/NYC' disaster stories out there.
It's a cautionary, yet reassuring, story. A good fit for the apocalyptic feel of our current world situation.
Having grown up in western Oregon and visited most of the cities mentioned in the book, there was an added a extra sense of reality for me. Something missing from the many 'set in LA/NYC' disaster stories out there.
May 4, 2013
Christmas 2010: I realised that I had got stuck in a rut. I was re-reading old favourites again and again, waiting for a few trusted authors to release new works. Something had to be done.
On the spur of the moment I set myself a challenge, to read every book to have won the Locus Sci-Fi award. That’s 35 books, 6 of which I’d previously read, leaving 29 titles by 14 authors who were new to me.
While working through this reading list I got married, went on my honeymoon, switched career and became a father. As such these stories became imprinted on my memory as the soundtrack to the happiest period in my life (so far).
The year was 1986 and Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game swept all before it, winning the Hugo Award for Best Novel, the Nebula Award for Best Novel and... not the Locus Sci-Fi Award. Those wonderfully contrary Locus voters instead gave their highest accolade to David Brin’s post-apocalyptic postman tale.
Apparently they made a Kevin Costner movie out of it (I’ve never seen it).
That little nugget of knowledge did not fill me with confidence.
My subconscious kept whispering… Waterworld .
I picked up a second hand copy.
It’s a battered, tattered thing.
The cover is faded.
Let’s be honest:
It looks sh!t.
I was coming off the back of a slightly disappointing run in my Locus Quest – this was the fourth in a mini-league of 80s winners ( The Integral Trees , Titan , The Snow Queen and then The Postman ) which I read during the weeks running up to my wedding. I often find that the less I expect of a book, the more open I am to its merits – which is a bit of a catch-22 situation because I normally only read those books I expect to be good!
After the first fifty pages, I was pleasantly surprised to be enjoying The Postman . Our hero, Gordon, is a likeable survivor – more of a dreamer than your average tough-guy loner. The first half of the book just flies by and if it kept up that sort of pace and atmosphere, we’d be looking at an easy 4-star book (maybe even a five).
Unfortunately, the second half of the book felt dated and clichéd. The A.I./Wizard of OZ scenario was pretty dubious, as was the women’s army section. I did enjoy the hippy/super-soldier thread – but by then all it was feeling a bit disconnected and episodic. I coasted the last third of the book and the finale was anticlimactic.
The Postman is not a bad little story, but nothing to write home about.
February 27, 2008
The Postman is a perfect example of a great storyline with a great build-up that is then totally ruined by a deus ex machina resolution. It's as if the author were given a page count limit and then realized that he was about two dozen pages from that limit and said, "Uh-oh, I'd better wrap this up."
This ranks right up there with Stephen King's The Stand for a horrible, abrupt ending that had little to do with the build-up and character development of the first 95 percent of the book.
If Brin would drop the last thirty or so pages and write a real ending -- one that actually involves the protagonist -- this could be a great book.
This ranks right up there with Stephen King's The Stand for a horrible, abrupt ending that had little to do with the build-up and character development of the first 95 percent of the book.
If Brin would drop the last thirty or so pages and write a real ending -- one that actually involves the protagonist -- this could be a great book.
June 5, 2014
With the popularity of post-apocalyptic novels today, one almost thinks David Brin published this one too soon. Republish it today and maybe add some zombies and an EMP... okay just kidding. But Brin has always been a thinking fan's SF author, with big and intelligent ideas even in his space operas.
The Postman does not feature zombies, killer plagues, or EMPs. The "Doom War" that ended civilization was set off by the rise of fanatics in the East and the West, leaving the U.S. (and all other countries) broken and depopulated. The depopulation happened not so much in the initial nuclear attack, but in the aftermath as civilization collapsed and millions starved or froze.
Years later, a survivor named Gordon Krantz, who refers to himself, sometimes ironically and sometimes bitterly, as "the last surviving 20th century idealist," is traveling alone in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest when, fleeing from a band of brigands, he finds an old U.S. Postal Service truck, with the corpse of the mail carrier and his undelivered mail inside. Since he's freezing (thanks to the brigands taking his clothes), he dons the corpse's uniform.
When he shows up at the next town, he declares himself a Postal Inspector of the "Reconstituted United States of America," which is supposedly rebuilding back East, and will be sending men and supplies and technology any day now.
It's a con to get him a bed and a hot meal, but it quickly grows all out of proportion, until Gordon finds himself not only carrying the torch for a non-existent nation, but rallying troops in its name.
Post-apocalyptic Oregon is a fairly realistic post-nuclear holocaust region - most people live in hardscrabble settlements, there has been minimal organization, but a few small enclaves of relative civilization. Of course they are all threatened by the "Survivalists" - remnants of the original survivalist movement, who have now become the warlords and orcs of post-apocalyptic North America.
Most post-apocalyptic novels tend towards grimdark, for obvious reasons. The Postman has its share of violence and grit, but it is at heart an optimistic novel about the triumph of idealism and ethics over pure savagery.
David Brin leans left, and as I've often remarked on right-wing authors who get up on a soapbox in their end-of-the-world novels, I have to admit that Brin does this a little bit too. Religion plays no part in the book at all, but the bad guys are all survivalist/militia types spouting an exaggerated version of right-wing ideology. Mostly Brin's soapbox seems to be pro-science and civic responsibility, anti-authoritarianism and might-makes-right.
It's easy to see why The Postman was made into a movie. It's the sort of story intended to make you cheer at the end. While it didn't really present a new post-apocalyptic story per se, keep in mind it was written in 1985, before the current trend and all those YA imitators.
A smartly plotted novel with bits of political and scientific philosophy sprinkled into the story, it's a 4.5 star book, not quite exciting me enough to give it 5 stars.
The Postman does not feature zombies, killer plagues, or EMPs. The "Doom War" that ended civilization was set off by the rise of fanatics in the East and the West, leaving the U.S. (and all other countries) broken and depopulated. The depopulation happened not so much in the initial nuclear attack, but in the aftermath as civilization collapsed and millions starved or froze.
Years later, a survivor named Gordon Krantz, who refers to himself, sometimes ironically and sometimes bitterly, as "the last surviving 20th century idealist," is traveling alone in the mountains of the Pacific Northwest when, fleeing from a band of brigands, he finds an old U.S. Postal Service truck, with the corpse of the mail carrier and his undelivered mail inside. Since he's freezing (thanks to the brigands taking his clothes), he dons the corpse's uniform.
When he shows up at the next town, he declares himself a Postal Inspector of the "Reconstituted United States of America," which is supposedly rebuilding back East, and will be sending men and supplies and technology any day now.
It's a con to get him a bed and a hot meal, but it quickly grows all out of proportion, until Gordon finds himself not only carrying the torch for a non-existent nation, but rallying troops in its name.
Post-apocalyptic Oregon is a fairly realistic post-nuclear holocaust region - most people live in hardscrabble settlements, there has been minimal organization, but a few small enclaves of relative civilization. Of course they are all threatened by the "Survivalists" - remnants of the original survivalist movement, who have now become the warlords and orcs of post-apocalyptic North America.
Most post-apocalyptic novels tend towards grimdark, for obvious reasons. The Postman has its share of violence and grit, but it is at heart an optimistic novel about the triumph of idealism and ethics over pure savagery.
David Brin leans left, and as I've often remarked on right-wing authors who get up on a soapbox in their end-of-the-world novels, I have to admit that Brin does this a little bit too. Religion plays no part in the book at all, but the bad guys are all survivalist/militia types spouting an exaggerated version of right-wing ideology. Mostly Brin's soapbox seems to be pro-science and civic responsibility, anti-authoritarianism and might-makes-right.
It's easy to see why The Postman was made into a movie. It's the sort of story intended to make you cheer at the end. While it didn't really present a new post-apocalyptic story per se, keep in mind it was written in 1985, before the current trend and all those YA imitators.
A smartly plotted novel with bits of political and scientific philosophy sprinkled into the story, it's a 4.5 star book, not quite exciting me enough to give it 5 stars.
April 29, 2021
"Ama insanın dünyasını bundan böyle paylaşacağı bu diğer "akıllı yaratıklar', uzaydan gelmek yerine, insan oğlunun kendi yarattığı şeyler olacaktı."
"Hayatta olmak "önemli" olmaktan evladır."
"Onların gözünde bilim herkese gereğinden fazla yarar sağlardı, özellikle de güçsüzlere."
🌟
"Hayatta olmak "önemli" olmaktan evladır."
"Onların gözünde bilim herkese gereğinden fazla yarar sağlardı, özellikle de güçsüzlere."
🌟
February 18, 2016
The Postman is often in lists of Post Apocalyptic fiction must reads. I was aware that this had been made into a film in the 90s, in fact I worked in a cinema at the time. I don't remember watching the film so I thought that as this was a PA must read I would pick this up.
Boring. If I could sum this book up in 1 word. Boring. Dull characters, very little action and full of droning repetition. I'm lucky because I very rarely get bored- why would I be? There is always a book to read. The only reason I didn't give up on this book was because I held the vain hope something of interest would happen. Nothing did.
A very, very generous 2 stars.
Boring. If I could sum this book up in 1 word. Boring. Dull characters, very little action and full of droning repetition. I'm lucky because I very rarely get bored- why would I be? There is always a book to read. The only reason I didn't give up on this book was because I held the vain hope something of interest would happen. Nothing did.
A very, very generous 2 stars.
December 7, 2023
Check out my full, spoiler free, video review HERE. Solid post-apocalyptic novel set in Oregon after a nuclear war has devastated most of the world. This story revolves around the main character Gordon as he impersonates a postman and tries to find his place in what is left of the world. He encounters survivors who have different ideas of what future they should be striving for, and he must choose sides while keeping up his con. This is a very well written book, it was entertaining and had some thought-provoking ideas, the ending was ok but seemed like Brin wasn’t sure how to end the novel.
December 8, 2023
I went into this thinking that on the one hand, I loved the first Uplift trilogy and on the other hand, some of the advertising made this sound like Independence Day without aliens. Well, it was more of the latter than the former. Gordon is an engaging protagonist, but hardly a military leader as he aspires to become. I did not think the Wizard of Oz moment was all that convincing. In fact, the whole book was fairly predictable. That being said, he gets a point for predicting the massive outbreak of survivalists and the extreme danger to a democratic society that they represent (albeit 20 years later than he predicted - fortunately we skipped the Doomswar to get there!).
Apparently, the Kevin Costner movie of this was abysmal. I am not really surprised; there is too much flag-waving and shallow, one-dimensional characters (plus the implicit slams on feminists throughout). Unlike Startide or Uplift War, his attitude in this book is that women should stick to baby making which I found retrogressive and annoying. Darn it, I really wanted to like this one more than I did.
Fino Reviews of David Brin books
: Fino Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Apparently, the Kevin Costner movie of this was abysmal. I am not really surprised; there is too much flag-waving and shallow, one-dimensional characters (plus the implicit slams on feminists throughout). Unlike Startide or Uplift War, his attitude in this book is that women should stick to baby making which I found retrogressive and annoying. Darn it, I really wanted to like this one more than I did.
Fino Reviews of David Brin books
: Fino Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
November 7, 2023
(3.5 stars.) Most post-apocalyptic stories can ultimately be traced back to a deep nostalgia for the pre-modern, a self-conscious post-modern Romanticism projected onto the future -- inevitably, the (crucially, now much smaller) post-apocalypse populace reverts back to something like feudalism, or occasionally tribalism (or, often enough, exaggerated evil tribalism), paired with a reversion to pre-modern technology which includes the wisdom of knowing that modernity was, in some sense, a mistake. Accordingly, this nostalgia for a simpler, lost age in these stories is typically expressed in a plot where hubristic modernity/technology has caused the apocalypse in question; frustration and unease with modernity is sublimated onto the cause of the sense of modern/post-modern dislocation, a sort of 'original sin' against God or nature or both, that finally receives its just punishment.
All of this serves as a pretty interesting thematic setting for literature, imo, which makes it somewhat surprising that literary/fine art authors have avoided the genre, for the most part. The list is quite short: 1984 or Handmaid's Tale bear a family resemblance, but don't really qualify; some of Ballard's work is at least adjacent to the genre; Kavan's Ice, sort of; Haushofer's The Wall; James's Children of Men; Harpman's I Who Have Never Known Men; Mandel's Station Eleven, maybe; Rand's Anthem, which is surprisingly not terrible; parts 5-6 of Mitchell's Cloud Atlas; Cormac's The Road; and a few others. In the more self-consciously literary versions (Harpman, Cormac, Haushofer), it's interesting that they escape genre/SFF with a simple but clever stratagem, i.e., just not explaining the origin of the apocalypse, which raises the whole thing into the airy heights of metaphor and lyricism; the pulp author's compulsive need to explain the causes of the apocalypse is somehow the key dividing line, there.
In any event, barring these few exceptions, we are then left with, alas, a ton of terrible genre fiction, along with some reasonably good efforts, such as the mildly corny and melodramatic American/British 1950s-1980s guys: Walter Miller, Peter Matheson, Neville Shute, Pat Frank, Chris Priest, John Wyndham, Keith Roberts, et al. The Postman is written in the tradition of these authors and is arguably the best of them; charmingly B-movie plot and writing, and very good in what it aims to do, though the final third is not great. Still, Brin's alternate history is cleverly constructed; also, I happen to live in the Willamette Valley, where the story is set, and I was impressed by the accuracy, e.g., two (real) dams break with no one to maintain them, which pushes water/mud through the city of Eugene, and then the correct kinds of tree grow on the mud deposits that now fill the middle of the city, etc.
All of this serves as a pretty interesting thematic setting for literature, imo, which makes it somewhat surprising that literary/fine art authors have avoided the genre, for the most part. The list is quite short: 1984 or Handmaid's Tale bear a family resemblance, but don't really qualify; some of Ballard's work is at least adjacent to the genre; Kavan's Ice, sort of; Haushofer's The Wall; James's Children of Men; Harpman's I Who Have Never Known Men; Mandel's Station Eleven, maybe; Rand's Anthem, which is surprisingly not terrible; parts 5-6 of Mitchell's Cloud Atlas; Cormac's The Road; and a few others. In the more self-consciously literary versions (Harpman, Cormac, Haushofer), it's interesting that they escape genre/SFF with a simple but clever stratagem, i.e., just not explaining the origin of the apocalypse, which raises the whole thing into the airy heights of metaphor and lyricism; the pulp author's compulsive need to explain the causes of the apocalypse is somehow the key dividing line, there.
In any event, barring these few exceptions, we are then left with, alas, a ton of terrible genre fiction, along with some reasonably good efforts, such as the mildly corny and melodramatic American/British 1950s-1980s guys: Walter Miller, Peter Matheson, Neville Shute, Pat Frank, Chris Priest, John Wyndham, Keith Roberts, et al. The Postman is written in the tradition of these authors and is arguably the best of them; charmingly B-movie plot and writing, and very good in what it aims to do, though the final third is not great. Still, Brin's alternate history is cleverly constructed; also, I happen to live in the Willamette Valley, where the story is set, and I was impressed by the accuracy, e.g., two (real) dams break with no one to maintain them, which pushes water/mud through the city of Eugene, and then the correct kinds of tree grow on the mud deposits that now fill the middle of the city, etc.
February 19, 2013
I stayed away from this book for a long time, mostly due to some cheesy scenes from the Kevin Costner movie I've caught between switching channels on my TV.
I'm glad I've finally got around to give it a try. It starts as a rather bland post-apocalyptic adventure, but gradually the author weaves in the real theme - the role of myths (or Big Lies as they are called in the text) in shaping society. The Postman, the supercomputer and Denna are all riffs on the theme of the Messiah in the guise of Duty, Patriotism, Science or Feminism: the source of morality and the cohesive foundation of civilization as opposed here to the destructive trends of selfishness or greed.
The American centrism of the novel brings some false notes from time to time (as in here was the best of all possible worlds, brought down by forces envious of their freedom), but ultimately I appreciated the message of hope that was still prominent in 1985, as compared to the more cynical view of recent authors.
I'm glad I've finally got around to give it a try. It starts as a rather bland post-apocalyptic adventure, but gradually the author weaves in the real theme - the role of myths (or Big Lies as they are called in the text) in shaping society. The Postman, the supercomputer and Denna are all riffs on the theme of the Messiah in the guise of Duty, Patriotism, Science or Feminism: the source of morality and the cohesive foundation of civilization as opposed here to the destructive trends of selfishness or greed.
The American centrism of the novel brings some false notes from time to time (as in here was the best of all possible worlds, brought down by forces envious of their freedom), but ultimately I appreciated the message of hope that was still prominent in 1985, as compared to the more cynical view of recent authors.
February 18, 2009
If you saw the movie, please read the book. Classic sci-fi, combining clever ideas and people you care about.
April 2, 2021
I have read this a few times over the years, but it has been a decade or so since the last time. While aging not exactly like fine wine, TP still packs an emotional punch. First published in 1985, (the first two sections were published earlier in the 80s as short stories), Brin takes us to a post-apocalyptic Oregon following the trials and travails of George, our main protagonist. George's past and the events that lead to the apocalypse are slowly revealed as the story unfolds. George, now in the 30s, was about 19 when the world as he knew it ended, stationed in the midwest in the army. As order faded and chaos came to rule, George eventually became a lone traveler, gradually heading toward the west coast in search of, well, he is unsure exactly what he is looking for, but hopes to find something!
The story starts off with George barely escaping from a group of bandits, who made off with most of his stuff. While trying to figure out a way to ambush them and get his stuff back, he stumbled upon an old USPS jeep deep in the woods. After taking shelter for the night, he finds the US postal jacket is actually in good shape, as is the rest of the uniform, but most importantly, the cloths are much better than what he has. So, donning the outfit, George sets out on his journey once again.
I am not going to detail much more of the plot other than when George comes across the next town, he introduces himself as a mailman and a US inspector from the Restored United States. This lie eventually becomes something of a reality, at least the mailman part, and soon George starts going from town to town delivering the mail and appointing other postal workers along the way.
The post-apocalyptic story has been done many, many times since this was published, but I would consider Brin as one of the pioneers in the genre; many have compared TP with Alas, Babylon and I suppose that is fair. What sets this apart from the typical story of a struggle for survival in a hostile world is the emotional messaging, for this is a remarkably hopeful novel. Sure, we have our 'standard' survivalist crazies constructing harsh neo-feudal societies as our main antagonists, but in the small towns and villages that managed to survive the people are almost yearning for a better future, something to look forward toward rather than the misery around them. The idea of a 'restored US' out East somewhere seems to kindle a spark that many had thought stuffed out, slowly turning into a tiny flame, but in jeopardy of being snuffed for good by the nasty neo-feudals encroaching upon the little valley of civilization George finds himself in.
I really loved this when I first read this, but this time around the melodrama and emotional pull did not impact me as much; perhaps I am too old and jaded these days. George the idealist, still clinging on to an idea that we can rebuild something of the past America that will be like a beacon of light in a dark world; this is really what animates the text and although many other books in the genre have a similar theme, TP does a nice job with it to be sure. 3.5 stars rounding up for old times sake.
The story starts off with George barely escaping from a group of bandits, who made off with most of his stuff. While trying to figure out a way to ambush them and get his stuff back, he stumbled upon an old USPS jeep deep in the woods. After taking shelter for the night, he finds the US postal jacket is actually in good shape, as is the rest of the uniform, but most importantly, the cloths are much better than what he has. So, donning the outfit, George sets out on his journey once again.
I am not going to detail much more of the plot other than when George comes across the next town, he introduces himself as a mailman and a US inspector from the Restored United States. This lie eventually becomes something of a reality, at least the mailman part, and soon George starts going from town to town delivering the mail and appointing other postal workers along the way.
The post-apocalyptic story has been done many, many times since this was published, but I would consider Brin as one of the pioneers in the genre; many have compared TP with Alas, Babylon and I suppose that is fair. What sets this apart from the typical story of a struggle for survival in a hostile world is the emotional messaging, for this is a remarkably hopeful novel. Sure, we have our 'standard' survivalist crazies constructing harsh neo-feudal societies as our main antagonists, but in the small towns and villages that managed to survive the people are almost yearning for a better future, something to look forward toward rather than the misery around them. The idea of a 'restored US' out East somewhere seems to kindle a spark that many had thought stuffed out, slowly turning into a tiny flame, but in jeopardy of being snuffed for good by the nasty neo-feudals encroaching upon the little valley of civilization George finds himself in.
I really loved this when I first read this, but this time around the melodrama and emotional pull did not impact me as much; perhaps I am too old and jaded these days. George the idealist, still clinging on to an idea that we can rebuild something of the past America that will be like a beacon of light in a dark world; this is really what animates the text and although many other books in the genre have a similar theme, TP does a nice job with it to be sure. 3.5 stars rounding up for old times sake.
January 21, 2018
Funny to think we have passed the future timeline in this book, published thirty-three years ago, and we are still here. Its it just luck so far, that has kept us from living in the apocalyptic future that this story takes place in? It is scarier and scarier to think that we could be her any time soon. The Doomwar and the Holnist mentality seem pretty close some days.
Oh a happier note, I would like to think that people like Gordon Krantz will exist in that future time. People who care and people who still have ideals of what it was like to help others and to fight for what is right and good. It seems like a simple thing to hope for.
I suspected several times, while reading this story, that I had previously read this book, but after a certain point, I stopped getting those de ja vu feelings. I think that I may have started it and put it down for some reason. It was too long ago to remember why, that might have been though. I did take my time though. I liked Gordon, the Postman. I did not want his story to end too soon.
That is what happens when I find a main character that is so unexpected. I want to see where he goes and what he is doing, but not say good bye. Gordon was funny and smart and sweet. He was a con man, looking for a meal and a warm bed, to feel safe for a time and have someone at his back, instead of being alone and always watching over his shoulder for trouble. He had survived seventeen years, on the road to the west coast. He had seen a lot, done a lot, and he was tired of always moving on. He was looking for a place he could stay and participate in a community on the fateful day, he came across a band of survivalists in the mountains of eastern Oregon. That day changed his life. It almost ended his life too, but that is not my story to tell.
And the story - was great! Thank you, Mr. Brin. This was my first of you books to read, but it will not be my last.
Oh a happier note, I would like to think that people like Gordon Krantz will exist in that future time. People who care and people who still have ideals of what it was like to help others and to fight for what is right and good. It seems like a simple thing to hope for.
I suspected several times, while reading this story, that I had previously read this book, but after a certain point, I stopped getting those de ja vu feelings. I think that I may have started it and put it down for some reason. It was too long ago to remember why, that might have been though. I did take my time though. I liked Gordon, the Postman. I did not want his story to end too soon.
That is what happens when I find a main character that is so unexpected. I want to see where he goes and what he is doing, but not say good bye. Gordon was funny and smart and sweet. He was a con man, looking for a meal and a warm bed, to feel safe for a time and have someone at his back, instead of being alone and always watching over his shoulder for trouble. He had survived seventeen years, on the road to the west coast. He had seen a lot, done a lot, and he was tired of always moving on. He was looking for a place he could stay and participate in a community on the fateful day, he came across a band of survivalists in the mountains of eastern Oregon. That day changed his life. It almost ended his life too, but that is not my story to tell.
And the story - was great! Thank you, Mr. Brin. This was my first of you books to read, but it will not be my last.
September 24, 2023
I really liked Brin's theme that an idea is more important than an actual movement, and this made for a post-apocalyptic story that was drastically different from the usual end-of-the-world stories. One thing that detracted for me were that at parts of the book the author seemed to lose focus of what the story was about and started addressing multiple different themes, which made the story feel aimless at times. I also didn't care for the generic climactic battle. But other than those minor issues, it was a good addition to the genre.
September 21, 2021
A great book with an unsatisfactory ending.
Must write a more comprehensive review at some point.
Must write a more comprehensive review at some point.
February 18, 2010
My copy of The Postman is battered, well-read, and much loved. It's a movie tie-in Bantam paperback that I found at a used bookstore, the pages ever so slightly yellowed, the cover worn, its top corner ever so slightly curling up in a dog's ear. It fits perfectly with the atmosphere that David Brin creates. This is not a book to be treated delicately or reverently; it is meant to be read, re-read, enjoyed, and explained.
As good fiction, and science fiction, is wont to do, The Postman made me think. The central theme of this book is how humanity depends on myths to survive, and that these myths are always exaggerated and perhaps even, at their core, false. What matters is not their truthfulness but that they provide hope and inspire people to do great things, something Gordon Kranz discovers when he singlehandedly re-establishes the U.S. Mail service in Oregon and hails the coming of the "Restored United States."
Brin does not proselytize this theme subtly, but that's OK. It probably shouldn't be subtle, because it's such a fundamental part of the fabric of our society—perhaps the U.S. more so than my Canada, but every country has its founding myths. John A. MacDonald's "National Dream," anyone? We codify, honour, and embellish these myths (or in the case of my example, we pay Pierre Berton and the CBC to do it for us); upon these myths, we build our national identities and ideologies. The Postman reminds us that it behoves us to remember this fact. Myths are not, in and of themselves, bad—if we take Gordon's dream featuring Benjamin Franklin playing chess with a supercomputer at face value, it would seem that myths are necessary for the preservation of a stable, just nation. Nevertheless, we must tread carefully, lest myth cross that line from useful propaganda to Big Lie.
Playing the role of antagonists in The Postman, the Holnists follow the writings of anarchist survivalist Nathan Holn. The strong survive and the weak obey—or perish. Holn rises to popularity prior to the apocalyptic "Doomwar" (which is a really cheesy name) with a book that employs what Gordon calls "the Big Lie" technique:
This is obviously rhetoric on Brin's part against what he sees in politics in 1985. That it still rings true twenty-five years later is not surprising; as long as we have some form of society, post-apocalyptic or not, those who tell Big Lies will stay with us.
Just as we remember the myths, we have to remember the treacherous nature of Big Lies. The Postman is a repetitive lesson in critical thinking. Gordon plays the role of both deceiver and deceived, providing an excellent example of why myths can both help and harm. Everything in this postapocalyptic Oregon is wrapped in myth: the Restored United States, the philosophy of the survivalists, the truth behind the Cyclops supercomputer, Dena's militant feminists, etc. Nothing is what it appears to be.
I loved this book for the first three quarters. After Willamette Valley faces invasion by the survivalist, the quality of the book suffers. In particular, I didn't too much care for Brin's portrayal of Dena and her feminist ideals. They were straw feminists. Brin gives a slightly better treatment of this subject in Glory Season . As far as feminism in The Postman goes, however, you're better off ignoring this theme.
The climax and denouement do not give this book the resolution it deserves. The final chapter is both heartening and somewhat cliché—but probably necessary. Despite this, Gordon is different at the end of the book; events have changed him, for better or worse. So while I can't celebrate the particulars of the narrative, I can commend the changes they bring about in the characters. Gordon is a protagonist whom we can admire and even aspire to be. At the same time, he is fallible, and sometimes he lets us down. He may be the last "Twentieth Century idealist" in a twenty-first century wasteland, but that makes him perfect for his role as hero.
The Postman endures because it captures a story that is eternal to the human condition: the necessity of the myth, and the dangers of the Big Lie. As far as science fiction goes, it lacks most of the tropes. It takes refuge in the typical post-apocalyptic milieu and adds the merest hint of artificial intelligence and a dash of eugenics to the mix. But what it lacks in pomp and circumstance it makes up for in the persistence of its theme. The Postman is a myth unto itself, and one I heartily recommend.
As good fiction, and science fiction, is wont to do, The Postman made me think. The central theme of this book is how humanity depends on myths to survive, and that these myths are always exaggerated and perhaps even, at their core, false. What matters is not their truthfulness but that they provide hope and inspire people to do great things, something Gordon Kranz discovers when he singlehandedly re-establishes the U.S. Mail service in Oregon and hails the coming of the "Restored United States."
Brin does not proselytize this theme subtly, but that's OK. It probably shouldn't be subtle, because it's such a fundamental part of the fabric of our society—perhaps the U.S. more so than my Canada, but every country has its founding myths. John A. MacDonald's "National Dream," anyone? We codify, honour, and embellish these myths (or in the case of my example, we pay Pierre Berton and the CBC to do it for us); upon these myths, we build our national identities and ideologies. The Postman reminds us that it behoves us to remember this fact. Myths are not, in and of themselves, bad—if we take Gordon's dream featuring Benjamin Franklin playing chess with a supercomputer at face value, it would seem that myths are necessary for the preservation of a stable, just nation. Nevertheless, we must tread carefully, lest myth cross that line from useful propaganda to Big Lie.
Playing the role of antagonists in The Postman, the Holnists follow the writings of anarchist survivalist Nathan Holn. The strong survive and the weak obey—or perish. Holn rises to popularity prior to the apocalyptic "Doomwar" (which is a really cheesy name) with a book that employs what Gordon calls "the Big Lie" technique:
Just sound like you know what you're talking about—as if you're citing real facts. Talk very fast. Weave your lies into the shape of a conspiracy theory and repeat your assertions over and over again. Those who want an excuse to hate or blame—those with big but weak egos—will leap at a simple, neat explanation for the way the world is. Those types will never call you on the facts.
This is obviously rhetoric on Brin's part against what he sees in politics in 1985. That it still rings true twenty-five years later is not surprising; as long as we have some form of society, post-apocalyptic or not, those who tell Big Lies will stay with us.
Just as we remember the myths, we have to remember the treacherous nature of Big Lies. The Postman is a repetitive lesson in critical thinking. Gordon plays the role of both deceiver and deceived, providing an excellent example of why myths can both help and harm. Everything in this postapocalyptic Oregon is wrapped in myth: the Restored United States, the philosophy of the survivalists, the truth behind the Cyclops supercomputer, Dena's militant feminists, etc. Nothing is what it appears to be.
I loved this book for the first three quarters. After Willamette Valley faces invasion by the survivalist, the quality of the book suffers. In particular, I didn't too much care for Brin's portrayal of Dena and her feminist ideals. They were straw feminists. Brin gives a slightly better treatment of this subject in Glory Season . As far as feminism in The Postman goes, however, you're better off ignoring this theme.
The climax and denouement do not give this book the resolution it deserves. The final chapter is both heartening and somewhat cliché—but probably necessary. Despite this, Gordon is different at the end of the book; events have changed him, for better or worse. So while I can't celebrate the particulars of the narrative, I can commend the changes they bring about in the characters. Gordon is a protagonist whom we can admire and even aspire to be. At the same time, he is fallible, and sometimes he lets us down. He may be the last "Twentieth Century idealist" in a twenty-first century wasteland, but that makes him perfect for his role as hero.
The Postman endures because it captures a story that is eternal to the human condition: the necessity of the myth, and the dangers of the Big Lie. As far as science fiction goes, it lacks most of the tropes. It takes refuge in the typical post-apocalyptic milieu and adds the merest hint of artificial intelligence and a dash of eugenics to the mix. But what it lacks in pomp and circumstance it makes up for in the persistence of its theme. The Postman is a myth unto itself, and one I heartily recommend.
September 13, 2015
Didn't realize The Postman was a book before it was a movie, and (obviously then) didn't realize it was written by David Brin. I've read a few Brin's from his "Uplift" series; liked Sundiver but not so much Startide Rising, so approached Postman with mixed feelings.
...And left the same way. First 2/3's was a near-5 stars, as Brin presented a surprisingly realistic and prescient view of how a society on the ropes after a nuclear winter could suffer a near-fatal knockout punch from radical/feudal survivalists - it is a far more interesting and nuanced story overall than the Kevin Costner action movie, (although I'll watch Will Patton in pretty much anything). But then in the final section, Brin veers disappointingly into X-Men territory with his "augmented" super-soldiers, and so overall I can't give this more than an average 3.
I still like the concept here - a post-apocalypse wanderer stumbles across a dead postman and uses his uniform to create a fiction that gets him food and shelter. But then the fiction takes on a life of its own, and actually begins to bring hope and a degree of rebirth to a devastated America. But I just wish someone else would take this story and turn it into an even better movie, rather than dumb it down into a mid-career vanity project.
...And left the same way. First 2/3's was a near-5 stars, as Brin presented a surprisingly realistic and prescient view of how a society on the ropes after a nuclear winter could suffer a near-fatal knockout punch from radical/feudal survivalists - it is a far more interesting and nuanced story overall than the Kevin Costner action movie, (although I'll watch Will Patton in pretty much anything). But then in the final section, Brin veers disappointingly into X-Men territory with his "augmented" super-soldiers, and so overall I can't give this more than an average 3.
I still like the concept here - a post-apocalypse wanderer stumbles across a dead postman and uses his uniform to create a fiction that gets him food and shelter. But then the fiction takes on a life of its own, and actually begins to bring hope and a degree of rebirth to a devastated America. But I just wish someone else would take this story and turn it into an even better movie, rather than dumb it down into a mid-career vanity project.
August 29, 2018
“Freedom was wonderful beyond relief. But with it came that bitch, Duty.”
― David Brin, The Postman
I first read The Postman about 30 years ago. I remember really liking the book and the general premise about a post-apocalyptic world where Gordon Krantz finds a postman’s uniform and reinvents himself as a postman from the Restored United States. I had forgotten what a good person Gordon Krantz was - how he constantly took responsibility to try to make things better and how amazed he was at the hope people felt at the sight of that old postman’s uniform. I also liked the role that women played in this novel. Science fiction frequently is not kind to women – its rare to see a strong character like Dena and her army of women.
Another of my favorite parts is the computer Cyclops and its similarity to the Wizard of Oz. David Brin also brings up several times how important myths and legends are in society.
I would hope that everyone who saw the movie would not judge a book by its movie. This book is so well-plotted and beautifully written with believable characters. Even more important, it is very entertaining and for a post-apocalyptic world, very hopeful.
I plan on hanging onto my copy of the book and maybe before 30 more years go by reading and appreciating it once again.
― David Brin, The Postman
I first read The Postman about 30 years ago. I remember really liking the book and the general premise about a post-apocalyptic world where Gordon Krantz finds a postman’s uniform and reinvents himself as a postman from the Restored United States. I had forgotten what a good person Gordon Krantz was - how he constantly took responsibility to try to make things better and how amazed he was at the hope people felt at the sight of that old postman’s uniform. I also liked the role that women played in this novel. Science fiction frequently is not kind to women – its rare to see a strong character like Dena and her army of women.
Another of my favorite parts is the computer Cyclops and its similarity to the Wizard of Oz. David Brin also brings up several times how important myths and legends are in society.
I would hope that everyone who saw the movie would not judge a book by its movie. This book is so well-plotted and beautifully written with believable characters. Even more important, it is very entertaining and for a post-apocalyptic world, very hopeful.
I plan on hanging onto my copy of the book and maybe before 30 more years go by reading and appreciating it once again.
December 28, 2016
So I finally read the book that was the inspiration for one of my favorite movies! I do mean inspiration because there isn't a whole lot that the two have in common. Bethlehem doesn't even exist in the book!!! Isn't that shocking?!
I felt that the book was a bit passive and meandering throughout. Since this fits the character I think that this was intentional. It didn't work well for me. And then it's like somewhere around 2/3 he realizes that there has to be some great conflict so he throws in an element that is very out of place. It's also given so few pages that it makes the fact that it's so important kind of absurd. It just felt very contrived to me.
For the most part it's a decent and entertaining post-apocalyptic story with an idealist for MC. An idealist who's just waiting for someone to come along and fix everything. I enjoyed it (minus a few eye rolls) enough to say I liked it and give it three stars. I wouldn't say it's something that can't be passed up but it's a solid book, especially for post-apoc fans.
ETA: I just edited down to two stars. That element that bothered me is still bothering me enough that I'm unable to give it a thumbs up. 2.5 stars
I felt that the book was a bit passive and meandering throughout. Since this fits the character I think that this was intentional. It didn't work well for me. And then it's like somewhere around 2/3 he realizes that there has to be some great conflict so he throws in an element that is very out of place. It's also given so few pages that it makes the fact that it's so important kind of absurd. It just felt very contrived to me.
For the most part it's a decent and entertaining post-apocalyptic story with an idealist for MC. An idealist who's just waiting for someone to come along and fix everything. I enjoyed it (minus a few eye rolls) enough to say I liked it and give it three stars. I wouldn't say it's something that can't be passed up but it's a solid book, especially for post-apoc fans.
ETA: I just edited down to two stars. That element that bothered me is still bothering me enough that I'm unable to give it a thumbs up. 2.5 stars
December 29, 2022
Parcă ceva mai puțin entuziasmantă această a doua lectură a celebrului roman al lui David Brin, cel care a avut parte de nu mai puțin de trei ediții diferite la noi, la trei edituri diferite. Dar poate că și așteptările erau mai mari, iar rezultatul parcă n-a mai fost la fel.
Cred că rămăsesem cu alte impresii de pe urma primei lecturi, impresii care s-au amestecat probabil cu imaginile din film (destul de slab, plătind tribut valului de filme slabe cu Kevin Costner și, dacă stau să mă gândesc mai bine și rememorând finalul cărții, și destul de departe de acțiunea din carte), așa că ce-a ieșit a fost cam amestecat. Despre ce-a ieșit voi scrie mai detaliat, în curând, pe blogul Editurii Paladin, la rubrica specială Club de carte Paladin, dat fiind că volumul lui David Brin din 1985 a fost subiectul de discuției al ediției din decembrie a clubului.
Cred că rămăsesem cu alte impresii de pe urma primei lecturi, impresii care s-au amestecat probabil cu imaginile din film (destul de slab, plătind tribut valului de filme slabe cu Kevin Costner și, dacă stau să mă gândesc mai bine și rememorând finalul cărții, și destul de departe de acțiunea din carte), așa că ce-a ieșit a fost cam amestecat. Despre ce-a ieșit voi scrie mai detaliat, în curând, pe blogul Editurii Paladin, la rubrica specială Club de carte Paladin, dat fiind că volumul lui David Brin din 1985 a fost subiectul de discuției al ediției din decembrie a clubului.
August 24, 2007
To Brin's credit: this book moves along quickly, follows a nice formula, and goes roughly where you expect it to go with just enough twists to keep it engaging along the way.
That said, this is also an exemplar of a very average novel about a "post-apocalyptic America". It makes me want to see the film with Costner. Just to compare.
Also: Brin's attempt at being sympathetic to a woman's plight in this post-apocalyptic scenario? Fell way short. Trust me bro, these broads would be way tougher than you've painted them here. Even with a bunch of survivalist ex-soldiers with rampant genes and hormones.
That said, this is also an exemplar of a very average novel about a "post-apocalyptic America". It makes me want to see the film with Costner. Just to compare.
Also: Brin's attempt at being sympathetic to a woman's plight in this post-apocalyptic scenario? Fell way short. Trust me bro, these broads would be way tougher than you've painted them here. Even with a bunch of survivalist ex-soldiers with rampant genes and hormones.
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