David Brin is a scientist, speaker, technical consultant and world-known author. His novels have been New York Times Bestsellers, winning multiple Hugo, Nebula and other awards. At least a dozen have been translated into more than twenty languages.
Brin serves on advisory committees dealing with subjects as diverse as national defense and homeland security, astronomy and space exploration, SETI and nanotechnology, future/prediction and philanthropy. Brin's scientific work covers an eclectic range of topics, from astronautics, astronomy, and optics to alternative dispute resolution and the role of neoteny in human evolution. His Ph.D in Physics from UCSD - the University of California at San Diego (the lab of nobelist Hannes Alfven) - followed a masters in optics and an undergraduate degree in astrophysics from Caltech. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the California Space Institute and the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. His patents directly confront some of the faults of old-fashioned screen-based interaction, aiming to improve the way human beings converse online.
Pedigree / Awards
The first two parts were published separately as "The Postman" (1982) and "Cyclops" (1984). Both were nominated for a Hugo Award for Best Novella.
1986 - won John W. Campbell Memorial Award for Best Science Fiction Novel and the Locus Award for Best Science Fiction Novel.
1985 - nominated Nebula Award for Best Novel.
1986 - nominated for the Hugo Award for Best Novel.
1997 - a film adaptation was made of the novel.
Dust Jacket Summary
Gordon was a survivor -- a wanderer who traded tales for food and shelter in the dark and savage aftermath of a devastating bio-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 symbol of hope, and with it Gordon begins to weave his greatest tale, of a nation on the road to recovery.
What I liked
I absolutely adore post-apocalyptic stories. The theme that sets The Postman apart from other post-apocalyptic novels is one of hope. Yes, the rule of law does not exist; yes, people were committing unspeakable acts but the main character, Gordon Krantz, suddenly becomes a symbol of hope by the simple act of putting on a postman’s uniform. People begin to cling to the idea for community and strive to make the world a better place.
Personally, I enjoyed this approached instead of the standard belief that everyone will turn into a lawless caveman once society collapses.
What I didn’t like
The second half of the story abandons the plot set up by the first half and seems to wander onto the set of Terminator Salvation. Okay, maybe not that bad. For me, the story just dissolved into the standard good human versus the evil cyborg soldier. Yawn……
Last word
The first half is hopeful inspiring story of the human spirit that was refreshing while the second half turns into the predicable plot of good versus evil.
My Rating
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