I finally got around to reading David Brin's The Postman and rather enjoyed
the book, though it does have some problems. I found parts of it even
rather moving as it explores a post=apocalyptic wanderer named Gordon who
assumes the role of mail carrier after having most of his clothes and
supplies stolen or destroyed by survivalists. (Brin blames the breakdown of
his future civilization on the selfish thinking and actions of
survivalists).
Brin is intent on making a few points. Initially, Gordon's role is
a ruse, a con game to him, in which he elaborates on the existence of a
restored United States, which gives the communities in Oregon hope. He
tells a lie, but it is a highly beneficial lie which helps these isolated
communities restore lost communication with each other. (Following an
electro-magnetic pulse, hand delivery is the only viable form of
communication left in this world). A consequence he does not foresee is
that people become willing to lay their lives down for their belief in
something bigger. (The book debates whether it is better to live taking
care of the small things that are important to one or to look after the
larger ideals such as God and country. Brin clearly prefers to believe that
the larger ideals are worth fighting and sacrificing for).
This is definitely an Amero-centric book, as the setting and ideals
referred to are specifically American ones. There are a few political
speeches which are made to echo inspiring speeches of the past. Light
criticism of the American character is followed by fulsome praise. There is
also a Wizard of Oz subplot in which a delphic computer is revealed to be a
humbug.
The most annoying aspect of the book is its simplistic sexism.
Brin's female protagonist Dena is considered crazy but admirable by Gordon.
Dena's carefully considered position is that women of the 20th century were
idiots because many of them were anti-technology when technology had made
their lives better than they were in any previous era (this is, of course,
a drastic oversimplification on Brin's part), and that women failed society
by failing to cull the bad one quarter to one half of the males out of the
gene pool. Men, on the other hand, are the brilliant makers and builders of
society, that is their real job. Perhaps in a feeble attempt to ameloriate
the feminists, Brin makes Dena a scientist-warrior who is working to
restore technology and who boldly suggests that women serve as scouts
against the dread survivalist threat that is looming over the last
civilized enclaves.
The book is a quick and easy read, though the style is nothing
memorable or distinctive. Brin repeatedly makes the point that civil
servants such as mailmen are often taken for granted, berated, or
overlooked for the valuable service they provide society. He also claims
that Americans are apt to accuse themselves (falsely) of horrible crimes,
but this simply masks their deserve to become ever better. This is not a
deeply thought out book, but it is an entertaining one (provided it does
not rub your prejudices the wrong way).
|