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The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle
“This rollicking romance entrapped me! True in its detail and its scope, it is amusing yet heart-breaking.” —Ian McKellen
Perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and TJ Klune, this humorous, life-affirming, and charmingly wise novel tells the story of how the forced retirement of a shy, closeted postman in northern England creates a second chance with his lost love, as he learns to embrace his true self, connect with his community, and finally experience his life’s great adventure…
Indie Next List Selection | Library Reads Selection
Every day, Albert Entwistle makes his way through the streets of his small English town, delivering letters and parcels and returning greetings with a quick wave and a “how do?” Everyone on his route knows Albert, or thinks they do—a man of quiet routines, content to live alone with his cat, Gracie.
Three months before his sixty-fifth birthday, Albert receives a letter from the Royal Mail thanking him for decades of service and stating that he is being forced into retirement. At once, Albert’s simple life unravels. Without the work that fills his days, what will he do? He has no friends, family, or hobbies—just a past he never speaks of, and a lost love that fills him with regret. And so, rather than continue his lonely existence, Albert forms a brave plan to start truly living, to be honest about who he is . . . and to find George, the man with whom he spent one perfect spring and summer long ago.
One painful yet exhilarating step at a time, Albert begins searching for George and revealing his story to those around him. As he does, something extraordinary happens. Albert finds unlikely allies, new friends, and the courage to help others—even as he seeks the happiness he’s always denied himself.
Beautifully written, funny, and wise, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is a book to fall in love with and to be inspired by, one that proves it is never too late to live, to hope, and to love.
A Note from Matt Cain, the author of The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle:
“One of the things that inspired me to write this novel was all the joy I felt at seeing gay men like myself being embraced by British society. I think you'd be hard-pushed to find any other minority community in the UK that was as hated, feared and vilified as gay men were fifty years ago and is now as widely celebrated and loved. Acceptance of gay men has become a touchstone of British values within less than a decade, something that even the most optimistic commentators couldn’t have predicted. I wanted to write a book that would celebrate this. And I sincerely hope The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle makes its readers feel good about themselves and the part they’ve played in bringing about this extraordinary social shift.” —Matt Cain
More Books from Matt Cain
Reviews
I was sad to read the last word. I want to know what happens next with everyone!
By lla96
This is a very good rendition of how gay men coped with homophobia and bigotry, as well as outright persecution by society and even their partners. Albert, a 64 year old postman, is on the verge of forced retirement from this lonely job as a postman in England. Albert has been a bit of a recluse and introvert most of his life thanks to intolerance of a gay tryst when he was a teenager. When the reality of retirement casts an extremely lonely shadow over his remaining years, he begins to change. After his cat dies, he’s totally alone and decides to try to reconnect with George, his first love. To do this, Albert begins to engage with people on his route whom he had avoided up to now. He discovers friendly people with whom he finds are open to his need for help. Albert changes. His life becomes full of friends, and his quest to find George is enhanced by the interactions which he engages along the way. This is a marvelous story that thoughtful and sensitive people of any sexual orientation can’t help but become immersed…. Excellent Read.
By RiqueNFL
Lovely telling of a late in life bloomer and accepting of being gay, embracing it for once instead of hiding his inner self. Lovely, comforting…and hoping they live happily ever after - but do they? Does coming out gay 50 years late really more accepted today than then? Endearing Albert - I wish I could have a cuppa with him. 💕
By Makitsew
With all the feels and lovely storytelling that had me fall in love with A Man Called Ove, I love Albert and the cast and crew around him. Although this was a lovely sweet tale of a grumpy gay man coming out in his 60s, it truly embraced the fact that as humans we have more in common than we have different. We just have to take the time to be open minded and hearted to feel it.
By SAL0967
A lovely book that throws more than a few emotional punches. Anyone that has experienced loneliness needs to read this book. Anyone that feels like it’s too late for them to obtain their happiness needs to read this book. One of the best books I’ve read in the past few years. 4.5 stars but I’m rounding up because this is an important story in addition to being entertaining.
By Thomaskind