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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I liked the concept of this book, but I couldn't get behind the execution. I didn't need the jumping between characters and their thoughts and would've preferred to stick with Albert. I did like the discovery that Albert makes about interacting with people, using a phone and the internet, traveling, etc. Those pieces were well done.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very sweet story of building community.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was so warm and sweetie. I would die for Albert
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is an absolute treasure of a story. I love that the author believes in the philosophy of “show, don’t tell”, meaning he provides a perfect balance of narration and dialogue. Too often, authors end up telling us what each character is thinking instead of allowing the characters to do it for themselves.
The protagonist is introduced to us in a thoughtful way, and by the second section (I listened to this on audio) I felt comfortable that I truly knew Albert, could almost picture him. From there, we follow Albert on his journey to discovering how he fits in the world. Having spent most of his life (he’s in his 60s when we meet him) somewhat isolated from his neighbors and community, (for reasons I will not disclose here for fear of spoiling this story for future readers), he sort of “steps on the banana peel” shortly after the book starts and things begin to change very quickly for him. There is not a false note to be found, as the author very skillfully shows us how and why this happens.
Supporting characters are introduced seamlessly and relationships all make sense.
The main theme of the book is complicated and, in the hands of a different type of writer, it could have come across as preachy or flat but that is the exact opposite here. It’s a wonderful book and I cannot recommend it enough.
The protagonist is introduced to us in a thoughtful way, and by the second section (I listened to this on audio) I felt comfortable that I truly knew Albert, could almost picture him. From there, we follow Albert on his journey to discovering how he fits in the world. Having spent most of his life (he’s in his 60s when we meet him) somewhat isolated from his neighbors and community, (for reasons I will not disclose here for fear of spoiling this story for future readers), he sort of “steps on the banana peel” shortly after the book starts and things begin to change very quickly for him. There is not a false note to be found, as the author very skillfully shows us how and why this happens.
Supporting characters are introduced seamlessly and relationships all make sense.
The main theme of the book is complicated and, in the hands of a different type of writer, it could have come across as preachy or flat but that is the exact opposite here. It’s a wonderful book and I cannot recommend it enough.
CAWPILE: 9/10 - 4.75/5
Esta es una de la novelas más bonitas, lindas y motivadoras que he leído en mucho tiempo.
En este libro seguimos la historia de Albert, un señor de 65 años que esta por retirarse de ser cartero del Royal Mail en el Reino Unido, pero él tiene un secreto de años. Es gay.
Él ha estado reprimiendo sus sentimientos por toda su vida, ya que su generación "le enseño" que era mejor tenerlo como secreto para sobrevivir.
Poco a poco vamos viendo cómo empieza a abrirse y a sacar cosas que ha tenido guardadas, y confiando en sus compañeros. Ahora Albert va a tener la oportunidad de reconectar con la persona que siempre ha amado.
Es una novela dulce, me hizo llorar y me encantó ver todo lo que las personas han luchado porque nosotros seamos más libres.
Esta es una de la novelas más bonitas, lindas y motivadoras que he leído en mucho tiempo.
En este libro seguimos la historia de Albert, un señor de 65 años que esta por retirarse de ser cartero del Royal Mail en el Reino Unido, pero él tiene un secreto de años. Es gay.
Él ha estado reprimiendo sus sentimientos por toda su vida, ya que su generación "le enseño" que era mejor tenerlo como secreto para sobrevivir.
Poco a poco vamos viendo cómo empieza a abrirse y a sacar cosas que ha tenido guardadas, y confiando en sus compañeros. Ahora Albert va a tener la oportunidad de reconectar con la persona que siempre ha amado.
Es una novela dulce, me hizo llorar y me encantó ver todo lo que las personas han luchado porque nosotros seamos más libres.
E-ARC provided by netgalley in exchange for an honest review
"It's never too late to start your life's big adventure"
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is an absolutely beautiful and moving book. Told in dual-POV, this book tells the story of Albert Entwistle, a nearly 65 year old postman, stilling living in his childhood home, who tries desperately to make himself invisible and small in the world to hide the secret that he's gay after a very traumatic incident avoiding a man he loved as a teen. We also see the story of Nichole, a 19 year old single Black mother who is trying to make a family with her boyfriend while they're both in school. When Albert finds out that he's being forced into retirement, he begins to think about his past and his future.
I cannot express enough just how beautiful and touching this book was. It is unfortunately rare to hear the story of a queer elder, because so many of them were lost. That makes it all the more important to hear a story of a man who lived through the terror of the seventies and did make it out alive. Albert's story promises that it does get better, and it is never too late to truly start living and to let life in.
Although the search for Albert's lost love is a major plot point to this story, this story is not just about romance. It is about hope, pride, community, coming out, and learning to live rather than just survive. Albert has spent his entire life hiding and trying to be invisible, but when he finally shows people who he truly is, he finds acceptance and love waiting to welcome him with open arms. This books features a cast of multi-faceted, dynamic side characters, all of whom you just want to root for.
This book was quite emotional, but it was also joyful, fulfilling, and very cozy. The writing was beautiful and truly put me in the moment, and by the end of it I was teary-eyed with joy and pride, for Albert and the community, along with the many men who had come before him. I truly recommend this book.
"It's never too late to start your life's big adventure"
The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is an absolutely beautiful and moving book. Told in dual-POV, this book tells the story of Albert Entwistle, a nearly 65 year old postman, stilling living in his childhood home, who tries desperately to make himself invisible and small in the world to hide the secret that he's gay after a very traumatic incident avoiding a man he loved as a teen. We also see the story of Nichole, a 19 year old single Black mother who is trying to make a family with her boyfriend while they're both in school. When Albert finds out that he's being forced into retirement, he begins to think about his past and his future.
I cannot express enough just how beautiful and touching this book was. It is unfortunately rare to hear the story of a queer elder, because so many of them were lost. That makes it all the more important to hear a story of a man who lived through the terror of the seventies and did make it out alive. Albert's story promises that it does get better, and it is never too late to truly start living and to let life in.
Although the search for Albert's lost love is a major plot point to this story, this story is not just about romance. It is about hope, pride, community, coming out, and learning to live rather than just survive. Albert has spent his entire life hiding and trying to be invisible, but when he finally shows people who he truly is, he finds acceptance and love waiting to welcome him with open arms. This books features a cast of multi-faceted, dynamic side characters, all of whom you just want to root for.
This book was quite emotional, but it was also joyful, fulfilling, and very cozy. The writing was beautiful and truly put me in the moment, and by the end of it I was teary-eyed with joy and pride, for Albert and the community, along with the many men who had come before him. I truly recommend this book.