I really wanted to like this book, and sometimes I did, but unfortunately it did not grab me how I had hoped. The idea was an interesting one; what would happen if an important letter wasn't delivered (this, of course, being in a time period when letters were the means of communication)? However, the letter that went undelivered was not an important letter at all. In fact, it was more of a note that didn't give any relevant information. And while the title makes you think the book will be about the postmistress, Iris, she is instead rather more of a side character. There is not, actually, a fully formed main character, though I suppose Frankie (a radio journalist) would be the closest. She is the only reason the book makes sense as she kind of ties the fragmented stories together at the very end.
There are several story lines in this book, and although I don't usually mind that, these stories did not tie together very well. I've seen this kind of story telling done beautifully, in the way that you, as the reader, get so absorbed in someone's story and are appreciative of the crafty ways the author connects the characters and ideas. This book did not do that for me. It was the glimpses into World War II and the stories that were portrayed of Jewish refugees that were heartbreaking and engaging. These were the only characters that I actually cared about, and at the most they each had about a page of story time.
This book had potential, but I'm afraid that's where it left me... with potential. I would have liked the author to have picked one main story line and went with it. Or, if she wanted multiple stories, then to try to correlate them in a more meaningful way. Instead (unfortunately) each story could have been a novel (or short story) in itself, but there was not enough time to explore these ideas and make them meaningful in this one short novel.
Two Coconuts
xo,
The Coconut Librarian
That is disappointing. I think that is a brilliant idea for a book. Too bad. Im starting SOMETHING BLUE this weekend :)
Posted by: tessa | Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 11:39 AM
I'm just finishing this book and I'm liking it much better than you did. I think Blake writes beautifully. But you're right; the name is a curious choice. Frankie is definitely the more dominant character.
Posted by: Lisa | Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 07:04 PM
I thoroughly enjoyed UNDER A MARBLE SKY. The novel is so romantic and historical featuring a love so deep as to inspire the Taj Mahal. It is rich with love, hate, royalty, deception, war, sibling rivalry. A great read. I highly recommend it.
Posted by: Toni Stephenson | Sunday, November 08, 2009 at 08:35 PM
oooh, that sounds good, Toni!
Posted by: Coconut Library | Monday, November 09, 2009 at 11:13 AM