David Brin
Bantam Books, New York
1985
Paperback
$6.50 US
Remember that trip where I was stuck in the airport at St. Louis on my way to Madison? On the way back I found myself waiting in the airport again. This time I read Brin's The Postman.
Yes, I know. Everyone has really busted Kevin Costner's chops for Waterworld and they say The Postman is just a dry version of that film. Well, I found Waterworld interesting. Oh, I'm not going to say it was great because it wasn't. But it was interesting. So I figured I'd give The Postman a chance, also.
The most interesting thing is that the book was written by David Brin. This is the guy who wrote Earth. I've not had a chance to read Earth yet but it was recommended to me at the same time Brunner's Shockwave Rider. The recommendation stemmed from Earth and Shockwave Rider providing less dark, 1970's and 1980's versions of networks that received the name cyberspace in Gibson's Neuromancer. I've discussed both Shockwave Rider and Neuromancer in one of my other writings here (Introduction to Virtual Reality, Part 1).
The Postman is a relatively interesting tale of a post-apocalyptic world and those who have survived. The PR people at Bantam compare this book with War Day and with Alas, Babylon. While I have not read War Day, I have read Alas, Babylon and my only comment is "No way."
Overall, the book is relatively slow. The lead character is not really a hero. He's pushed into every action that he does take. Even then, he doesn't so much act as react, and only under duress.
I was disappointed by the ending. The major value of this book for me was the positive outlook. I am so tired of the negative attitudes people have about the future. I enjoy books that despite everything that happens to this earth and to the human race, we keep on trying and we survive.
Don't expect a great book but you might want to pick this book up some where and read it. It's worth a casual read.