Julie

The Postman is a classic of the genre, a must read for anyone who loves great storytelling. This is probably in the top 10 of my all-time favorites.

The Postman is a post-apocalyptic story similar to stories like The Earth Abides, Lucifer's Hammer, The Stand, etc. What sets The Postman apart from those books is the strong undercurrent of love of country. The dream of a nation that was once united, with all the blessings of the civilization that we now enjoy. We get to see through the eyes of those who lost it, and through the main character, Gordon. He's a dreamer, an idealist, and the one in whom the American dream of "home" still burns bright and strong. After 17 years of desperate struggles, an unexpected find gives Gordon the opportunity to create a watershed moment for himself, his fellow survivors, and the nation once known as The United States of America.

David LeDoux's performance is good. His voice and style fit the character and the story well. His style is somewhat different in that he often ends his narration on a higher tone rather than lower one. This is a bit different from other narrative styles but does not detract from the story.

One of the most moving parts of the book comes near the end, when Gordon is struggling to free himself from an enemy camp. As Gordon struggles, he sees and hears the metaphorical voices of a dead nation, challenging him, urging him on. All his dreams, all his ambitions, the real spirit of a nation, fight to overcome his desperation, and sense of hopelessness. This story reflects a real struggle faced by every generation. Are we to remain a nation, or will we simply give up, declare our battles lost, and allow the dream to fade into oblivion?

I've waited many years to see this book come to audio. I first read The Postman a few years after its publication and have loved it ever since. I have a copy of the book in my personal library. But, unlike my younger years, I just don't have to sit and relax with a good book. Audiobooks are perfect because they allow me to listen to great stories while I'm commuting, or running errands, or doing normal chores and tasks around my home. With audiobooks, I actually look forward to what used to be really dull chores, like mowing the lawn. This book, The Postman is a valuable addition to my audio library.

This book is the best thing I've come across in the last several years. With a fast paced and, frankly, riveting storyline, it carries you along and leaves you wanting more. Remember the days of the Harry Potter series when you could not put one of Rowling's books down until the very last word of the last sentence on the last page? That's what you have here; a fascinating if somewhat dark world as the backdrop for a truly epic adventure.

This book is especially relevant for anyone who, like me, grew up in the 1980s. It's a book that, while carrying you into the not-so-different future, also transports you back to a time that meant so much to so many of us.

This book is a winner.