I reviewed The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman here three years ago. It often pops up in my top posts which pleases me no end. It’s a little gem: funny, endearing and sufficiently wacky to steer itself well clear of the twee. I ended the review by mentioning that there was a second volume in the works which has been some time in coming but fans of Denis Thériault’s letter-opening postman, caught in the grips of poetic passion for Ségolène far away in Guadeloupe, are unlikely to mind the wait once they get stuck into its sequel.
Tania is a waitress so skilled that her swift, smiling service appears balletic. She delights in anticipating her customers’ desires, none more so that Bilodo, the postman who appears at lunchtime, regular as clockwork, for whom she’s conceived a passion. So shy is Tania that her only expression of love is a daily double portion of Bilodo’s favourite lemon tart. She notices Bilodo practising calligraphy and begins to foster an interest, moving on to haiku about which they chat. A misunderstanding leads to horrified embarrassment when Tania reads a love poem she thinks is for her. Attempts to bury her love fail dismally. She summons her courage, tracks down Bilodo and is astonished to find him dressed as Gaston, a fellow café customer killed by a truck exactly a year ago to the day. After an awkward exchange, she flees only to return and find Bilodo splayed across the road, apparently lifeless. Against all odds, Tania saves Bilodo’s life, faithfully visiting him in hospital and finangling her way into his apartment. When Bilodo regains consciousness, he has no memory of the last five years. Tania scents an opportunity and an elaborate attempt at hoodwinking begins.
Readers of The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman will probably recognise parts of that synopsis. Thériault switches perspective in his sequel, unfolding it from Tania’s point of view rather than Bilodo’s but retaining many of the hallmarks of the first instalment – a gentle humour which becomes downright exuberant towards the end, eccentric yet endearing characters and sufficient darkness to avoid any hint of schmaltz. These two novels were published over a decade apart in the original French but so seamlessly are they knitted together it’s as if they were written alongside each other. Bilodo’s second outing is a delight – you could read it without visiting his first but I can’t imagine why you’d want to.
Thank you for this post, Susan. I was praying that this book should be good, so that my happy memories of reading the first book won’t be distorted. I am glad this sounds interesting too.
Have no fear, Deepika! If you loved Bilodo the first time around I’m sure you will this time too.
Oh I am so happy that you liked this! It sounds just as delightful as the first one – I can’t wait to read it!
It’s a joy! I was amazed to find how far apart they’d been written so well do they mesh together. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Ooh! I need to read this book. Glad that the two work together.
They’re a delight, Annabel.
This sounds like a delightful read, one of those books that leaves you afterwards with a pleasant, cheery glow. Just what we all need. I can tell from your review how much you’ve enjoyed this. Lovely review, as always.
Thanks, Belinda. I was delighted to find it followed on so well for Bilodo’s first appearance. THye’re both treats.
I really enjoyed The Peculiar Life of a Lonely Postman. I’m so pleased that this works well as a sequel – I can’t wait to catch up with Tania and Bilodo!
I’m sure you’ll love this one if you’re a fan of Bilodo’d first outing. A treat in store.
I’m tickled to hear of this just now. The first volume is regularly appearing in my list of “soonish” candidates from the library (I’m sure your TBR is as complicated with layers of soonishness as mine is) and now I can look forward to reading the pair of them. Thank you!
Youre welcome, and I do hope soonish becomes ‘very soon’!