NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE • “A moving experience . . . a powerful cautionary tale.”—Whitley StrieberHe was a survivor—a wanderer who traded tales for food and shelter in the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating war. Fate touches him one chill winter’s day when he borrows the jacket of a long-dead postal worker to protect himself from the cold. The old, worn uniform still has power as a … uniform still has power as a symbol of hope, and with it he begins to weave his greatest tale, of a nation on the road to recovery.
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, David Brin’s The Postman is the dramatically moving saga of a man who rekindled the spirit of America through the power of a dream, from a modern master of science fiction.
“The Postman will keep you engrossed until you’ve finished the last page.”—Chicago Tribune
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Almost two decades after civilization as we know it is no more, we catch up with a loner traveler in a post apocalyptic Oregon. He’s on his own desperate to find someone standing for civilization and making a difference. In the search for a leader, he starts a con as a Postman. Innocent at first the con grows and it might just be what Oregon …
A much better story than the movie adaption. A little slow in the beginning but builds up well.
One of the great all-time post apocalyptic thrillers. For me what truly elevates The Postman is , as it should be, our main character. His thoughtful introspection and near desperate desire to see someone, anyone, as he calls it, take responsibility for putting civilization back on a humane course. As it turns out he unwittingly becomes that …
Great story, much better than the movie they made of it
David Brin’s classic sci-fi novella of a United States shattered by a so-called limited nuclear war. A survivor discovers a postal service jeep deep in the woods. Scavenging the dead postman’s uniform and letters bag, he finds himself delivering not only long-delayed letters, but hope as well. A simple, yet elegant read.
A really great, although bleak, look at a future world. Kind of poignant these days. Very appreciated.
This story hooked me from the very beginning and never let go. What starts as road-trip-style plot (only with the emphasis on survival) grows into a philosophical question. More than one, in fact. And the surprise subplot that occurs does so in …
A caveat: The book is not the movie. Read the former and skip the latter.
I’ve read this book a few times and each time I find it more compelling, perhaps because its a warning as much as its a good story. The book isn’t like the movie, its better, and I think what I like best about the book is the protagonist’s struggle with himself throughout the book. I wish the author had written a sequel, because its such an …
Book And Movie Equally Awesome – In Their Own Ways. I was first exposed to the tale of The Postman through the movie starring Kevin Costner and Will Patton – and I love that movie so much it inspired one of my tattoos. The book is VERY different, though of the same tone and with at least some of the early events similar if not identical. In …
Great book that inspired the movie of the same name. Dystopian tale that left the United States in ruin after a major war and the struggle to rebuild civilization. The value of a dream.
haunting book about an after apocalypse earth
I loved the whole concept of this and how the mail is delivered no matter what.
Movie was better. More focused.
A remake of the movie the Postman. I do not recommend.
First off, I’m a big fan of the movie that was based on this book. That being said, i liked the movie more. Don’t get me wrong, i still enjoyed the book i just thought the script writers took the book to another level with the movie.
This was interesting. Will reread it soon.
Better than the rewrite or the movie
Read this many years after seeing the movie. It was entertaining and worth the read.
I am not a fan of apocalyptic worlds, but this is possibly the best of the genre I have ever ready where a country that has fallen apart is helped to come together by one man restoring the Postal service.
Read this many years ago, and it’s still one of my favorites.