The Postman

by David Brin
The Postman cover
Good Books rating 3.81
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 1174
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2025-10-24
  • ISBN: 9781405514323
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-12-15
  • Formats: 15
  • Reviews: 4

In the aftermath of a devastating war, a lone survivor trades stories for sustenance as he navigates a harsh and desolate landscape. His life takes a dramatic turn when he finds the uniform of a long-dead postal worker, which becomes a symbol of hope and a reminder of a lost world. As he travels from one isolated community to another, the uniform transforms into a powerful emblem of the past and a beacon for the future. The Postman is a poignant exploration of the human spirit's resilience, set against the backdrop of global collapse, from the acclaimed author of the Uplift novels. The novel delves into themes of survival, hope, and the power of storytelling. The protagonist's journey is not just physical but also emotional and psychological, as he grapples with the weight of his newfound role and the impact it has on the communities he encounters. The Postman is a testament to the enduring human spirit and the potential for renewal even in the darkest of times.

Reviews
Fantasy Literature · 2025-09-27
moving 4.50

The novel is a moving saga that rekindles the spirit of hope and community. It is compared to other timeless stories of survival and resilience.

Fantasy Literature praises The Postman as a timeless novel that is as compelling as other classic post-apocalyptic stories. They highlight how the book dramatically portrays a man's journey to rekindle hope and community in a broken world. The reviewer appreciates the emotional depth and the powerful message of resilience that the story conveys. They also note that the novel's exploration of human nature and the power of symbols is both thought-provoking and moving. The Postman is seen as a powerful story that resonates deeply with readers, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    A timeless novel as urgently compelling as War Day or Alas, Babylon.

    The Postman is the dramatically moving saga of a man who rekindled the spirit of hope and community.

    The novel's exploration of human nature and the power of symbols is both thought-provoking and moving.

Out of this World Reviews · 2019-11-06
insightful 3.75

The Postman tackles dark themes with sensitivity, avoiding graphic detail while still conveying the harsh realities of its post-apocalyptic world. The novel's exploration of human nature and society is both insightful and thought-provoking.

Out of this World Reviews notes that The Postman tackles dark themes such as senseless killing, torture, and rape with sensitivity, avoiding graphic detail while still conveying the harsh realities of its post-apocalyptic world. The reviewer appreciates the novel's exploration of human nature and society, finding it both insightful and thought-provoking. They praise the author's ability to handle difficult subjects with care, making the book a compelling and meaningful read. The reviewer also highlights the novel's relevance to contemporary issues, making it a timely and prescient read.

Quick quotes

    There is senseless killing, torture, and rape, but it's never gone into with much detail.

    This is fine; I'm not holding this against the author.

    The Postman tackles dark themes with sensitivity, avoiding graphic detail while still conveying the harsh realities of its post-apocalyptic world.

Grub Street · 2015-01-13
thought-provoking 4.00

The book questions the nature of heroism and leadership, exploring how roles can shape individuals. The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking.

Grub Street's review delves into The Postman as a story that questions the nature of heroism and leadership. They appreciate how the book explores the extent to which someone can become the role they play, especially in a post-apocalyptic setting. The reviewer finds the narrative engaging and thought-provoking, highlighting the book's ability to make readers reflect on the complexities of human behavior and the power of symbols. They also note that the story's exploration of these themes is both compelling and relevant, making it a memorable read.

Quick quotes

    The book is a questioning of heroism and leadership that explores the extent to which someone can become the role that they play.

    The narrative is engaging and thought-provoking.

    The story's exploration of these themes is both compelling and relevant.

Speculiction · 2013-11-14
wearying 3.00

The novel is a wearying read due to its constant hand-holding regarding the ills of America. It is seen as a novel of symbols and legend.

Speculiction finds The Postman to be a wearying read, primarily due to its continual hand-holding regarding the ills of America. They view the book as a novel of symbols and legend, which can be both fascinating and exhausting. The reviewer appreciates the depth of the themes but finds the delivery somewhat heavy-handed. They note that while the story has its moments, the constant emphasis on certain issues can make the reading experience less enjoyable. Despite this, they acknowledge the book's significance and its exploration of important themes.

Quick quotes

    A novel of symbols and legend, The Postman is a wearying book for its continual reader hand-holding.

    The book's constant emphasis on certain issues can make the reading experience less enjoyable.

    The story has its moments, but the delivery can be somewhat heavy-handed.

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