Meet Katinka O'Toole, high school valedictorian, Radcliffe graduate, published author, ex-wife of a noted Joycean Scholar, writing instructor at Harvard, and in love with her mailman.
There's something about a man in uniform. Especially when it's Louie Capetti, the working class mail carrier who delivers Katinka's precious mail right to her door. From the moment she lays eyes on him, Katinka is taken in by his charming smile, his Mediterranean skin, the way he fills out those postal blues. Now, instead of retrieving her mail in her bathrobe, she comes out to greet him decked out in her "discount Dior." And Louie seems to notice.
But life is never that easy. In her search for true love and happiness, Katinka has to put up with the exploits of her pretentious ex-husband, the never-ending advice from her class-conscious mother, and the affections of a corporate lawyer she meets on a blind date. And there's always those nagging questions about Louie Capetti's past....
Mail is the sharp, poignant and uproariously funny story of a woman who is willing to brave wind, rain and snow to make sure that her postman always rings twice.
There's something about a man in uniform. Especially when it's Louie Capetti, the working class mail carrier who delivers Katinka's precious mail right to her door. From the moment she lays eyes on him, Katinka is taken in by his charming smile, his Mediterranean skin, the way he fills out those postal blues. Now, instead of retrieving her mail in her bathrobe, she comes out to greet him decked out in her "discount Dior." And Louie seems to notice.
But life is never that easy. In her search for true love and happiness, Katinka has to put up with the exploits of her pretentious ex-husband, the never-ending advice from her class-conscious mother, and the affections of a corporate lawyer she meets on a blind date. And there's always those nagging questions about Louie Capetti's past....
Mail is the sharp, poignant and uproariously funny story of a woman who is willing to brave wind, rain and snow to make sure that her postman always rings twice.
From Publishers Weekly
Anyone who has ever wielded pen in pursuit of a career as a professional writer will be able to identify with Katinka O'Toole, the bright and witty heroine of Medwed's debut novel, a frothy romantic comedy. A Harvard graduate and former wife of a much older Joycean scholar, the 31-year-old Cambridge resident has given up her job at Widener Library to take a chance on herself. Her mailbox becomes "an umbilical cord... the giver of pleasure and pain," and her new mailman becomes the man of her dreams. Louie Cappetti is a rough-around-the-edges kind of guy whose greatest charm, at least for the reader, is his empathy with Katinka's disappointments and triumphs. Her lust for Louie inspires Katinka to spritz Arpege before collecting the mail. But when Louie breaks his leg and is unable to complete his rounds, will Katinka remain constant? Or will she turn to awkward but decent lawyer Jake Barnes (fully intact, despite his name)? Medwed's talent is in the details, and there's a particularly funny ongoing bit involving a sack of flour that's supposed to teach a child the responsibilities of single parenting. She's also equally adept at small poignancies and manages to keep the reader guessing as to where?if not why?Katinka's affections will finally alight. Nice delivery. Simultaneous Warner audio.
Anyone who has ever wielded pen in pursuit of a career as a professional writer will be able to identify with Katinka O'Toole, the bright and witty heroine of Medwed's debut novel, a frothy romantic comedy. A Harvard graduate and former wife of a much older Joycean scholar, the 31-year-old Cambridge resident has given up her job at Widener Library to take a chance on herself. Her mailbox becomes "an umbilical cord... the giver of pleasure and pain," and her new mailman becomes the man of her dreams. Louie Cappetti is a rough-around-the-edges kind of guy whose greatest charm, at least for the reader, is his empathy with Katinka's disappointments and triumphs. Her lust for Louie inspires Katinka to spritz Arpege before collecting the mail. But when Louie breaks his leg and is unable to complete his rounds, will Katinka remain constant? Or will she turn to awkward but decent lawyer Jake Barnes (fully intact, despite his name)? Medwed's talent is in the details, and there's a particularly funny ongoing bit involving a sack of flour that's supposed to teach a child the responsibilities of single parenting. She's also equally adept at small poignancies and manages to keep the reader guessing as to where?if not why?Katinka's affections will finally alight. Nice delivery. Simultaneous Warner audio.
