3,5* it was a charming if predictable story, the characters were engaging and Iā€™m sure most of us could identity with many of their problems. It was all quite Ā« gentle Ā», even the issues of racism and homophobia, while not exactly minimised, were not too graphic. I enjoyed reading it. ( )

In a Nutshell: A sweet story that goes somewhat predictably but still hits the mark. The audiobook is a wonderful choice to get to know Albert Entwistle.

Story:

64 year old Albert has been a postman all his adult life. And thatā€™s all that people know about him. He is a loner, not because he hates people but he is afraid of them and of theirs discovering his big secret. When he receives an official letter saying he has to retire from his job on his 65th birthday, Albert is left questioning his life choices. With no family, no friends and no future, is he destined to spend the rest of his life alone? Albert decides that it high time to take charge of the situation and begin making some courageous changes in his life, including a search for his long lost love, George.
The story is written in a limited third person pov of Albert and one of his young neighbours, single mom Nicole, who is trying hard to get her life back on track.

Where the book worked for me:
ā¤ I had assumed Albert to be another Ove. Thankfully, this is not yet another geriatric curmudgeon story, a trope that has become quite common after the success of ā€˜A Man Called Oveā€™. Albert has a sweet, introverted personality and comes across as a man who has been closeted all his life, and not just about his sexuality. His love for his cat Gracy and his brave attempts at getting to know his neighbours and co-workers won my heart. (As an introvert myself, I understand how difficult it is to take the first step in talking with strangers and continuing a conversation.)

ā¤ The rest of the characters in the book are also quite interesting, though not much layered. They all come in predictable patterns but are carved in a way as to make many of them interesting. Nicole is the best of the other characters, what with her shyness considered snootiness and her single Black mom status marking her as a potential failure.

ā¤ The book incorporates several factual elements of the discrimination faced by gay boys during the 60s and 70s in the UK. I was impressed with the level of detail the author had incorporated in the story and the bonus section of the audiobook reveals the extent of his research. It seems to be an accurate rendition of the emotional upheavals these boys must have undergone just because of their sexual orientation. (A part of the homosexual representation felt over-the-top and stereotypical to me, but the author is a well-known commentator on LGBT issues and a former journalist. So I will trust his portrayal than my ā€œfeelingsā€ which are more based on the rubbish LGBT representation in mass media. This book has been enlightening in that regard.)

ā¤ The book focusses on the importance of having the right kind of people in your life. It covers a whole gamut of relationships, right from parents (supportive as well as toxic), friends, neighbours, office colleagues, married couples, dating couples (both heterosexual and homosexual),ā€¦ each relationship is given a fair bit of weightage and adds to the appeal of the story.

ā¤ There are too many characters but don't worry about memorising them. Each person is sketched well enough for you to move on with the flow and still recall them whenever they come up in the plot.

ā¤ The audiobook was one big factor in my enjoyment of this book. (More on this below.)


Where the book could have worked better for me:
( )

There's something so special about this one. Getting some history with this story was so valuable. The Q&A at the end was priceless.

As someone who tries to avoid letting people in, it really has made me pause and look at myself and ask the question, why do I work so hard to fly under the radar? What amazingness have I cut myself off from as a result?

I've added it to my favorite shelf. I'm looking forward to the next time I listen.

I also felt Simon Vance really brought Albert and his world to life beautifully.



ALSO, how was this book I was listening to when my AMAZING stepsisters converged on my home to remember their father who passed here...I say I got the best sisters because they lost their dad, but they check in with me. ( )

Albert Entwistle is months away from his sixty-fifth birthday and being retired from his employment as a postal worker with Royal Mail in Toddington. Albert is a shy introverted man who lives alone with his cat Gracie since the death of his ailing mother almost eighteen years ago. Albert has spent almost five decades absorbed in his work at Royal Mail covering his delivery route of 667 addresses. He does not have friends and barely socializes, limiting his interactions to polite exchanges with his work colleagues.

ā€œThere are billions of people in this world and not a single one of them cares about me.ā€

Being forced into retirement, Albert is made to reflect on his loneliness which is compounded by the memories of George, the love of his life who he was forced to part ways with as a young boy, on account of his being shamed by the family because of his sexuality. Fearing homophobia and prejudice he has spent his life in the closet and has shut himself away from living a full life.

ā€œAlbert had been given a blunt message about what his friends thought of people like him, what the world at large thought of people like himā€”of the real him, the him heā€™d been careful to keep well hidden.ā€

As the narrative progresses, we see how Albert gradually opens up to the people around him and is embraced by his community, and gradually finds the courage to venture outside his closeted self-imposed solitude. Supported by his friends and well-wishers he summons the courage to find George after fifty years of being apart.

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain is a beautifully written story that will pull at your heartstrings and make you smile through your tears. The protagonist is a sweet lovable character whose story pulls you in. The author touches upon themes of friendship, love, self-acceptance and community. The author sheds a light on discrimination against gay men in the 1970s and the challenges faced by same-sex couples in the same era through conversations with those whose experiences were similar to Albertā€™s at the end of the book. Yes, the plot was predictable but it is a heartwarming read with an interesting cast of characters that keeps you engaged till the very end. The subplots were well integrated into Albertā€™s story and it never felt as if the story was digressing. The story was a tad too long but not so much that the reader would lose interest. I switched between reading the book and listening to Simon Vanceā€™s brilliant audio narration which made for a wonderful immersion reading experience.

"Never look backā€”thatā€™s my motto. Iā€™ve used it about all kinds of things that have happened in the past. When Iā€™ve been upset by things, the only way Iā€™ve been able to survive is by putting them behind me.ā€
ā€œYeah, but one thing Iā€™ve learned is that if you try to do that, you never do put the past behind youā€”it just tags along in the present. And it burrows into you like some kind of poison. Itā€™s only by facing up to it and dealing with all the feelings it brings up that we can learn from it and move on.ā€ ( )

A book for my reading group. I'd call this a cosy (like an episode of Father Brown). It was easy to read and makes you feel good. Totally unrealistic but who needs realism? ( )