The Postman

by David Brin
The Postman cover
Good Books rating 4.06
Dystopian/Post-Apocalyptic
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Waterstones
Paperback • £9.99–£10.99
Amazon
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Technical
  • ID: 1174
  • Added: 2025-09-27
  • Updated: 2026-03-10
  • ISBN: 9781405514323
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2011-12-15
  • Formats: 15
  • Reviews: 4

In the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating war, a lone survivor trades tales for food and shelter. His life takes a dramatic turn when he borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker. As he journeys from one isolated community to the next, the old, worn uniform becomes a powerful symbol of hope and a reminder of how things were before the world collapsed. His story becomes one of a lie that turns into the most important kind of truth, offering a glimmer of hope in a world that has forgotten the power of connection and communication. Against a backdrop of global failure, THE POSTMAN is a powerful and affecting novel that explores the survival of the human spirit. Written by the author of the award-winning Uplift novels, this story delves into the resilience of humanity and the enduring power of stories to bring people together.

Reviews
J. Scott Coatsworth · 2025-12-19
compelling 4.00

The story is a timeless novel that remains urgently compelling, exploring themes of truth and symbolism. It's a powerful narrative that resonates with contemporary issues.

The reviewer finds the book to be a timeless novel that remains urgently compelling, comparing it to other classic works. They appreciate the exploration of truth and symbolism, noting how the story's themes resonate with contemporary issues. The reviewer also highlights the book's powerful narrative, which they find to be both engaging and thought-provoking. The post-apocalyptic setting is used effectively to delve into the complexities of human nature and the power of symbols.

Quick quotes

    This is the story of a lie that became the most powerful kind of truth.

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

    The Postman is the story of Gordon Krantz, a 34-year-old survivor of the Doomwar.

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.

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