The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

Written by Matt Cain

Narrated by Simon Vance

In a wonderfully life-affirming and surprising story of human connection and second chances, a shy sixty-something postman opens his heart to love again, transforming the lives of those around him.

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Recorded Books, Inc.
• Release date: May 31, 2022
• ISBN: 9781705052822

Reviews for The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

[NeosoulNoona · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

There's something so special about this one. Getting some history with this story was so valuable. The Q&A at the end was priceless.

As someone who tries to avoid letting people in, it really has made me pause and look at myself and ask the question, why do I work so hard to fly under the radar? What amazingness have I cut myself off from as a result?

I've added it to my favorite shelf. I'm looking forward to the next time I listen.

I also felt Simon Vance really brought Albert and his world to life beautifully.

[bookappeal · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Sometimes stilted dialogue, unrealistic plot development, and not as funny as I'd hoped.

[rmarcin-630843 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Albert Entwistle is almost 65 and is now being forced into retirement from the postal service. Once he hears the news, Albert decides that he needs to take stock of his life and right some wrongs. Years ago, Albert had loved a boy named George, but it was a forbidden love. In the 70s, gay men were condemned and ridiculed. Now, although he is scared, Albert takes the first step towards coming out to his co-workers. He reaches out to some of the people on his route, and together they take charge of their relationships and make steps to decide to go for love. This is a good story of facing your truths. It is a shame how people in the 70s treated people for their sexuality, and in the 2020s, we are getting better at recognizing that love is love, although there is still a long way to go. I was pleased at the reactions to Albert's news, and the way people began to treat him once he was honest with them. My only issue is that I felt that the book went on a bit long.

[bookconcierge · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Adapted from the book jacket: 64-year-old Albert Entwistle is a postman with a regular route. Each day he walks the streets of his small English town, delivering letters and parcels, and returning greetings with a quick wave. Albert lives alone with his cat, Gracie; his work is his only interaction with people, limited as it is. And then the letter arrives telling him that mandatory retirement will come with his 65th birthday in three months. Without the work that fills his days, what will Albert do? He has no family, no friends, no hobbies, just a past he never speaks of and a lost love that fills him with regret. My reactionsThis was just delightful. My heart went out to Albert, who, like so many young gay teens, felt compelled to hide his nature and resign himself to a life of loneliness. His story is tragic and all too common, with parents who berated him for who he was and forced him to hide his true nature. And now that they are gone, he has no one but his cat. I loved watching Albert bloom as he slowly made efforts to truly connect with the people on his route, and to begin searching for George, hoping against hope that he’d find him and, if nothing else, at least be forgiven. It’s a wonderful journey and Albert finds surprising connections, from the elderly (and similarly lonely) Edith to young single mom Nichole, and even the blustery Jack. Cain also gives us insight into many of the other characters, chiefly Nichole and Marjorie (Albert’s boss). Once Albert comes out of himself a bit he learns that many other people have struggles and face heartaches of their own. He learns much about compassion and friendship, and learns to open up and live rather than just exist. There are a number of rather unrealistic plot points, but who cares. Albert certainly deserves his HEA!

[twink_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I knew from the first chapters of Matt Cain's new novel, The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, that I was going to love it.Albert is a small town postman in England. He does his best to stay out of the spotlight and do his job, keeping himself to himself. His only company is his cat Gracie. But then he receives notice that as he is turning 65, he must retire. My curiosity was piqued. Why does he live such a small life? What has happened in his life? What will he do now, without his job to anchor him? I knew what I wanted to have happen....Slowly, but surely Albert ventures out into the world, speaking to people, beginning to interact and more. And finally, he decides to rectify his biggest regret, the one that shaped his small world.Ahh, what a great lead character. You can't help but behind Albert cheering him on as he takes hesitant steps forward. And your heart will break when you learn of the 'why', the 'who' and the how. Just as engaging as Albert are the friends he makes, the community he becomes part of, and the life he finds at sixty five. Matt Cain has penned a wonderful feel good listen. It's easy to predict what the end of Albert's odyssey will bring, but the journey there is enjoyable, uplifting and heart warming.I chose to listen to The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. The reader was Simon Vance - one of my favorites. He has a rich tone to his voice and a lovely British accent, that's very easy on the ears. The voice he initially uses for Albert is hesitant and unsure. But as the book progresses, Albert's voice grows stronger. Vance provides different and identifiable voices for the other characters, including female players. I thought the voice for Nicole was spot on. Vance has captured Cain's work and does a great job of presenting it. The emotions and situations are well portrayed. I've often said that I become more immersed in a book when I listen and this was the case for The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle.

[bookchickdi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle captured my heart from the very beginning. We root for Albert to find joy and his lost love as he courageously opens up his life to include coworkers and people he meets on his postal route. I loved how the people in his world were happy for Albert, how they showed him kindness and friendship. How wonderful it would be if we all lived in a world like Albert's!Matt Cain's characters embody the best of humanity, and my eyes teared up more than once as I read this beautiful story. The interviews Matt shares at the end of the book with gay men he met who lived through a much more unkind world were enlightening and add a great perspective to Albert's story. I highly recommend The Secret Life of Albert Entwhistle for those who loved The Guncle and The Story of Arthur Trulove.

[bumblybee-190414 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Goodreads Giveaways. What initially drew me to this book was the comparison to Fredrik Backman - that's a high bar to reach in my opinion, and if this book could reach it, I would be sold. While Cain's writing style isn't the dry wit that one can expect from Backman, Albert's story is reminiscent of Backman's work, especially Ove, and I was immediately charmed by the whole package deal. Albert Entwistle is an instantly likeable character - he has his own faults for sure, but he also means well, even if he seems stuck in his ways. His past is uncovered little by little as the book goes on, and I enjoyed getting those glimpses and seeing in what ways he'd changed and what ways he'd stayed the same. Cain sticks to scene closely, which I appreciated - as much as I like Backman, sometimes he can be a little rambly, and Cain manages to avoid that here. Now, to address the elephant in the room. Albert's sexuality plays a very large role in this story, and there are some trigger warnings (albeit mild ones compared to other books) that come along with that. I do think that overall, Cain handled the issue very well; there is lots of representation, and we get a lot of Albert's thoughts on things as they happen. I do wish there had been some mention of the transphobia that seems rampant in Britain right now - I think it would have made for a poignant scene if Albert had realized that trans people are currently experiencing much of the same discrimination that he faced as a teenager. But that might have changed the tone of the book a little too much, so I understand why it was left out. If I have any one critique, it's that I found one pivotal character to be underwhelming. There is so much hype built around them that by the time we finally meet them, it's hard to see what Albert sees in them. But perhaps that is the point - if so, I would have liked to have a little more emphasis on this. Even so, I don't think it detracts from the overall story at all, and it's not enough to affect my rating. Overall, if you're looking for a heartwarming story about elder queer love, this is a great choice. It'll make you laugh, it'll make you cry, and most of all it'll make you want to pick it back up again very soon.

[clrichm · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Can I give this one more than five stars, please? This was amazing. I don't think I even have words to describe how powerful I found it! I've basically recommended this to all of my coworkers by this point; I've had to step away from my reference desk multiple times while reading it, since a sobbing Youth Services Librarian isn't a good look. Totally worth it.The first part of the book was DEVASTATING for me, and no two words about that. I didn't anticipate that part going as hard as it did, but it made the rest of the story that much more emotional as Albert rebuilt and rediscovered himself and the life he'd been denying himself. And there were so many hard topics that the story touched on, but it never felt preachy or overly depressing; I found myself cheering Albert on for every step of his journey, every time he pushed his boundaries out just a little bit further in support of himself and the people for whom he was coming to care.This book is going to be living rent-free in my head for a while.

[nicx27 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Oh Albert……..! I just loved reading your story.Albert is a postman, has been all his working life. He doesn't really know what else he would do if he didn't deliver the post. He's a complete introvert, avoiding his colleague's camaraderie, looking away to prevent chat with people on his round, and just generally keeping himself to himself. It's the only way as when he did come close to happiness when he was just a teenager it all went wrong. He'd been in love with another boy, George, but he just wasn't strong enough then to deal with it and now another 50 years have passed.Albert Entwistle is the most wonderful creation and it was an absolute pleasure to follow him as he learns that he must retire as a postman and he starts to realise that he missed out on so much by burying himself away. This life change prompts him to start looking for George and along the way he meets some people who change his life for the better.Basically, Albert is the caterpillar emerging from the cocoon into a butterfly. It takes him rather a long time but at last he's ready to fly. The characterisations in this book are a complete delight, not just Albert who is a darling, but all the other characters who play their part in his reinvention such as Nicole, a young single mum who helps Albert with his search for George and for whom Albert is a kind of surrogate grandfather. Then there's Danny and Daniel, a gay couple who represent all the freedom that Albert never had with George. I had a soft spot for Albert's menopausal boss, Marjorie, too.This is a book that is full of emotion whilst still being humorous. The balance is perfect. It made me glad that we've moved on from the rigidity of the past. Whilst Albert still encounters some level of prejudice, he realises that things have changed and he must too.Matt Cain has produced a beautiful book with The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. It's thought-provoking and moving, yet still has a light touch. It's a truly life-affirming book that I just didn't want to put down. I found it so tender and so uplifting with a main character that I won't forget. It really is never too late.

[linda.a. · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Albert Entwistle is a shy, socially awkward man who, until her death eighteen years ago, had looked after his demanding, critical and ungrateful mother in his childhood home. He now lives there alone, his only companion his beloved little cat Gracie. He’s made no changes to the house, in fact he’s seldom even been into his mother’s bedroom since she died. He’s been a postman since he left school at fifteen and loves the reliable routine it offers, finding immense comfort in the fact that each day will follow exactly the same pattern. He’s always kept himself to himself, just quietly getting on with his job and avoiding, as far as possible, any interaction with either his colleagues or the residents he delivers post to. It astonishes him that so many people seemed totally comfortable with sharing intimate information with all and sundry. That’s definitely not his way, the only way he’s got through life is by keeping to himself the experiences which have most affected him, they’re nobody’s business but his. But now, just three months before he reaches his sixty-fifth birthday, his manager has handed him a letter from Human Resources. It offers him congratulations ‘in advance of this special occasion’, the company’s thanks for his many years of loyal service and reminds him that Royal Mail has a policy of compulsory retirement at that age.What is he going to do with the rest of his life? With no friends and nothing to look forward to, the prospect of a lonely future terrifies him. He realises that if he’s to find happiness, he needs to be honest about who he is and learn to ask for what he needs and, most important of all, he needs to find the courage to look for George, the boy he loved and betrayed fifty years ago but has never forgotten. I don’t want to reveal too much about this delightful, poignant and thought-provoking story because I think much of its power lies in the reader joining Albert on his journey of self-discovery. Through his flashbacks I felt I was experiencing with him his re-living of the traumatic experiences of his youth which had caused him to deny his sexual orientation and become so emotionally isolated. At times I felt almost engulfed by the profound sadness of his memories, especially his lasting shame about his betrayal of George. Then, as he began to step out of his comfort zone, as he tentatively reached out to people and began to make friends within the community, I shared his joyful amazement as his life started to become more emotionally satisfying and happier. I delighted in seeing him blossom as he discovered that the more he reached out to other people, and the more honest he was about himself, the more they seemed to like and accept him. Then, as he became more open, his discovery that that he was not the only one who hid behind a defensive carapace, that other people too had fears and anxieties they were struggling with and that he could offer them support.I enjoyed the motley group of characters who enriched Albert’s new life, loved the moments of gentle humour which ran through the story – and the fact that it was set in Lancashire, county of my childhood, added a much appreciated dimension, particularly as the author included expressions which evoked some fond memories … just like Albert, my grandfather often exclaimed ‘hellfire’! On one level this could be regarded as an overly-sentimental, easy to read, feel-good story about secrets, regrets, love and friendship and how it’s never too late to change, to take on new challenges. It could also be dismissed as being a tad unconvincing in its portrayal of characters whose personalities appear to change overnight – for instance, Albert ‘suddenly’ becoming more so much more outgoing, fashionable and confident, a homophobic work colleague’s attitudes being immediately ‘transformed’ when Albert comes out as gay. However, on balance, I found that such niggles were off-set by the fact that central to the story is an exploration of prejudice and harassment and a reminder of how life has, albeit painfully slowly at times, changed for gay men since the 1960s. Male homosexuality wasn’t decriminalised until 1967, but even then, that applied only to men over the age of twenty-one and it remained illegal for them to meet in public places. This meant that the police continued to raid bars and ‘cruising grounds’ for many more years – in fact more men were prosecuted during the seventies than in the sixties, with those who were convicted being placed on the sex offenders’ register. In his introduction, Matt Cain mentions that one of the things which inspired him to write this story was that he wanted to celebrate the way things have changed for the minority community of gay men, which fifty years ago was hated and vilified but is now 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.' Although it would be naïve to believe that prejudice no longer exists, huge progress has indeed been made in societal acceptance and I think his heart-warming story about Albert Entwistle captures, and succeeds in celebrating, some of this profound change. With my thanks to the publisher and NB for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.