Cover Image: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

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Member Reviews

I can see why some people really enjoy this but it's not for me. It was very formulaic with way too many clichés and stereotypes, and the way the characters spoke felt like a Disney movie at times.

Parts I enjoyed were the exploration of tension within the gay community between those who were out in the 1960s when it was illegal for young men to be in homosexual relationships, and those who were not. Albert was a really endearing character who at times reminded me a little of Eleanor Oliphant and Linus from The House in the Cerulean Sea.

It really did put a smile on my face at points but I don't feel overall it was my cup of tea. As much as Albert was a great character I felt the plot was very contrived.

Thank you @netgalley for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.

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Matt Cain has written a cracking, amusing and touching tale in The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle. Albert Entwistle is coming up to his retirement as a postman and is wondering what his future holds. Very much a loner who likes to keep to himself he is anxious about how he will occupy his time. He also has a secret but realises that now could be the time for him to be honest about who he really is...

The author's superb character creation and development is second to none. Albert, a cat lover of his beloved pet, Gracie has recently lost his mother who he looked after and has spent the last eighteen years living alone. But Albert is determined to make some friends and confront his past and as his emotions start to resurface, there is no stopping him. Along the way, the reader meets several people including Nicole and her daughter, Reenie, George, Marjorie and Edith to name only a few. Nicole is a single mother, trying her best to improve her own situation and Edith is a lady on his postal delivery round.

This was an impactful story that was funny, sad and exceptionally moving. All of the author's characters gave the book great dimension, and many of them were people I started to wish I knew personally. In a story dating back to the 1970s and spanning decades, I loved accompanying Albert on his journey of self-discovery. An uplifting, delightful, though occasionally harsh and bitter read topped with romance. The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle is beautifully written and a 2021 favourite.

I read The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle in staves with other Pigeonholers as part of a group. A special thank you to Headline, Matt Cain, NetGalley and The Pigeonhole for a complimentary copy of this novel at my request. This review is my unbiased opinion.

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I totally adored this story of Albert and his quest to find his first (only) love.

It was a pretty emotional ride along his road, both sad and funny and ultimately rather uplifting.

At times it felt like we were in an extended episode of Coronation Street as a lot of the characters were very broadly drawn and a wee stereotypical, but I was totally engrossed in Albert’s story both as a young man and as a soon-to-be retiree.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

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A really sweet tale of Albert Entwistle who has lived a secluded life since being scared in his teens, faced with a retirement he doesn't want, he decides this could be an opportunity for him to change. I really loved this book, Albert is such a sweet relatable character, a gentle postman, who just does his job, then heads home to his cat, until one awful Christmas life forces a change upon him. I enjoyed the way that Albert changed it was totally believable, the friendships he made were really sweet, especially with young Nicole. I liked the message that the more he was himself the more people liked him. This book is also a great book about the history of gay men, Albert had realised he was gay just after homosexuality was decriminalised in 1967 but he was still under age, also as the book highlights more raids took place in the 70's. It was lovely to have a story that featured a 65 year old, going on adventures and coming out, it really is never too late. A joyous wonderful book.

With thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

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I totally loved this book and I fell ever so slightly in love with Albert. He is the nicest sweetest man you could meet and to hear his story was so sad. Lost love, prejudice from his own parents and then years of loneliness until he eventually takes control of his life and sets out to find his lost love.
This is a true love story, I cryed at times but I also laughed, Marjorie is a hoot and the development of his friendship with Nicole and Reenie is beautiful as well as him getting to know all his workmates better and Daniel and Danny too, you find yourself becoming invested in all the characters, Edith was another of my favourites and you will Albert to strike up a friendship with her to hear her story too.
But the real story is about Albert and George and will he ever find him again, you MUST read it to find out, you will not be able to put this book down until you know the whole story, I highly recommend.
Thank you so much to the publisher and Netgalley for the absolute privilege in being able to read this early copy!

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Albert Entwistle is a postman, a pretty ordinary one at that and one that I was interested to know more about, even with the pang of sadness that he appears to have no life outside work, which poses a challenge when retirement is on the cards.

I especially enjoyed getting to know Albert, George and Marjorie, as well as Nicole and seeing their lives unfold and how they are connected.

This is a very beautiful book that’s so quick to get into. It’s uplifting, with a cosy warmth. It also bridges the gap between younger and older generations, in some ways in the attitudes that and secrecy were around at certain times. It’s quite hard to put down as you uncover great characters and a life with secrets that may not be quite what you’re expecting and reasons why Albert hid part of his life for a time.

There are reunions and a love story that starts to play out and it is so lovely to watch it unfold. There’s travel and theatre and such life drama.

There are discoveries made and life can be more than what you think it might as no one can predict the future. It is so poignant and touching in parts. The journeys that are taken, both deep, personal ones and the actual moving around from Toddington to Blackpool add to the great life affirming adventure, that so easily reels you in.

The book is entertaining to read and just projects so much joy and also so much emotion, with a pinpoints of humour. There is strength of character and courage, which is absolutely fabulous!

There will also be Reading Group Questions at the end of the book.

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Absolutely loved this one. Well written, interesting and emotional. Would recommend to all. The only negative is overuse of a couple of northernisms e.g "kid".

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One of those reads that is something very special. Albert Entwistle is a postman and has been for the last forty four years. He loves his job but doesn't really like people so keeps himself very much to himself. When he gets a letter from HR about his forthcoming sixty-fifth birthday, life is about to change and Albert can’t see how this can be for the better. Albert has kept himself to himself for a reason, something he feared when he was younger but now the world is a different place- but Albert doesn't yet quite realise this and is about to make a first step towards his freedom at long last. Fifty years ago Albert fell in love for a brief time and since then has been lonely- something he has only just admitted to himself.. This is the story of his voyage of discovery in more than one way. Oh be still my beating heart! I so loved this- I wanted to wrap Albert up in the biggest hug and tell him that the world is now a very different place. Who doesn’t love Drag Race and Hairspray? A tale of oppression and bigotry in more than one world and overcoming negativity. A brilliantly written, very emotive, evocative read in more than one way for me. More than one man cowed, dictated to and belittled by their parents and then by the world, now emerging from his chrysalis to become the beautiful butterfly. There are some wonderful lines in this: “Be strong enough to show who you really are and let the world love you for it”. “ Face up to things not put them in the past where they drag along behind you, deal with the emotions and then you can move on”.
Each year about 10% of the total books I read ( about 250 a year) earn my special 5** rating. They are the ones that have that something extra- the ones I will always remember and have touched me in some way. This one deserves it in spades. I can't recommend this highly enough. Loved it doesn't begin to cover it. I love this a little bit more than yesterday and a little bit less than tomorrow (If you know- you know).
(rest of links when posted on blog)

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Oh how I loved this book! This is a beautifully written novel that accurately depicts the changing attitudes to homosexuality . Being a similar age to Albert I have lived through the same times and can say it took me right back to my teenage days. Albert is a true gentleman who is intensely lonely and isolated, having been denied his true love as a teenager and spending his later life nursing his sick and bitter mother. This story follows Albert’s acceptance of his true self, his realisation that he has nothing to be ashamed of and that societal attitudes have changed. He comes to see the advantages of risking opening up to theirs, and is able to enlist help from new friends to search for his one true love. This is a book that has everything. Gentle humour, emotion, great warmth and a great story. I didn’t want to put this book down, and would love to see a follow up and learn more about Albert’s story and that of his community of friends.

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I adored this book, it was my first by this author and certainly won’t be the last. Albert was just such a beautiful character and I loved following his journey of self discovery and making peace with his past. The changes in the narrative between the past and present really helped to add depth to his character and I was completely rooting for him from the start. The supporting characters were also fabulous and added a nice distraction at times to the main story which was often very intense as it covered some uncomfortable topics which were sadly based on true events. The ending was everything I hoped it would be. Overall just an absolutely brilliant book and a joy to read.

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This is a dual timeline book set between a young gay couple in a tiny village in the 1970s and a postman coming up to his 65th birthday who is facing compulsory retirement and battling crippling loneliness.
Albert Entwistle was a postman. It was one of the few things everyone knew about him. And it was one of the few things he was comfortable with people knowing.

64-year-old Albert Entwistle has been a postie in a quiet town in Northern England for all of his life, living alone since the death of his mam 18 years ago. He keeps himself to himself. He always has. But he's just learned he'll be forced to retire at his next birthday. With no friends and nothing to look forward to, the lonely future he faces terrifies him. He realises it's finally time to be honest about who he is. He must learn to ask for what he wants. And he must find the courage to look for George, the man that, many years ago, he lost - but has never forgotten.
Trigger warning, I found the first part of this book very sad, it took us on Albert’s journey and how he came to be how he is and jumping between the present and the past. Gradually though, Albert began to blossom and we see that he hasn’t chosen to be on his own and he begins on the quest to find a past love.
This is up lit at it’s very best, showing us how Albert rediscovers himself.
LGBT plays a big part in this book, and it was so well written and woven through, showing past experiences and how they have changed with present experiences, and also how people’s perceptions, expectations and understanding have changed too.
I highly recommend this book to anyone, yes you need tissues as you ARE going to cry, but you will also find yourself falling in love with every one of the characters before the end of the first chapter.
Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for an e ARC of The secret life of Albert Enwistle in return for an honest review.

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Best book I've read so far this year. My heart is so full of love for Albert, how could it not be? Parts of the book reminded me a little bit of Elinor Oliphant is completely fine, another favourite of mine-just with Albert's initial reluctance to allow people in and his traumatic past affecting his present day. I cried for Albert, I laughed, my heart broke, this book just had it all. It's a book that will stay with me for a long, long time. Some pretty hard reading at times. Shocks me how dreadfully gay people were treated not that long ago. It hurt my heart so much. A wonderful book that will leave you believing in love and craving a Crunchie.

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Novels featuring older protagonists have become among some of my very favorites: Harold Fry, Ove, Missy, to name just a few. With much of their lives behind them, they have wonderful stories to tell and a richness to their character that draws empathy and compassion. I am now adding Albert Entwistle to this list.

Approaching the age of 65 and facing mandatory retirement from his job as a postie, Albert has reached a crossroads in his life. For years he has lived a lie, denying even to himself who he truly is. But times have changed. Being gay is no longer a crime. And so he sets out to track down George, the love of his life.

Albert’s story is beautifully told, in his own voice and in dual timelines, as he goes about his quest and reminisces about the past. His journey is poignant and at times desperately sad. But it is also uplifting and joyous.

Albert’s transformation is a joy to behold, as he opens up to who he is and makes discoveries and friendships that change and enrich his life. He’s an immensely likable character; one you take into your heart, care for and root for, as he at first tentatively then wholeheartedly embraces his reincarnation.

Matt Cain handles the issues surrounding homosexuality with sensitivity and a real depth of understanding. There is no triteness here. Just honesty and compassion. I truly loved this book and would recommend it to all fans of uplit.

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If I could have given this book more stars 🌟 I would have done. Such a beautiful heartwarming story of Arthur - a most understated hero. Both funny and sad in parts - I cried more than once - I was willing Arthur on from the start. If you liked Finding Missy and The Authenticity Project then this book is for you. Thought everything maybe tied up too neatly at the end but it did work. All the little side stories were good too.

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This story made me smile and moved to tears. I felt for Albert and rooted for him. I was hooked and kept on thinking about him.
A heartbreaking and heartwarming story, a character that blossoms.
Good storytelling and plot development, well rounded and interesting characters.
It's the first book I read by this author and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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Oh Albert, he stole my heart, you know how I love a pensioner in a book and this was no exception.
Albert has worked all his life as a postman, he keeps to himself, preferring his own company and that of his cat.
The first part of the book was really very sad, following how Albert came to be like he was and jumping between present and his past, but gradually Albert starts to blossom and we see that he doesn't want to be on his own as he starts his quest to find a past love.
I loved this one, at first I thought, can I cope with reading something that is going to be this sad, but it was the ultimate uplit and showed how Albert rediscovered himself.
LGBT plays a big part in this book and it was so very well woven through, showing past experiences and how they contrasted with present experiences.
I am expecting this to be a summer hit and will be highly recommending this to everyone.

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Fabulous book, read in one day. I loved meeting Albert, I wept when Gracie died. Great characters, so many reminders about how society has changed and how it took too long to do so.

I will be writing a full review for my book blog.

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This is undeniably a feel good read, perhaps a wee bit too 'feel good'. I know we all like a happy ending but this just seemed a bit of a stretch.

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Bloomin’ ‘eck, what an emotional rollercoaster ride that was!

Matt Cain has crafted such a beautiful, poignant, uplifting and completely captivating read; a story of self-discovery, optimism, friendship and above all, love.

Albert Entwistle is a wonderful, endearing character, a true gentleman. A character so real, you just want to steal him from the book and envelop him in the biggest hug - obviously taking care not to crush his Crunchie in the process!

The story is heart-warming, and at times heart-breaking. My eyes leaked tears of sadness but mostly of sheer joy. With laugh out loud moments and gentle humour throughout; Albert and his fabulously diverse supporting cast kept me entertained from start to finish. I slowly savoured the final few chapters, because I genuinely didn’t want the journey to end.

I absolutely adored The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, and can say (without a doubt), that it’s one of my favourite reads of 2021.

Albert has captured a piece of my heart; his special, life-affirming story will stay with me for a very long time.

Can we have a TV adaptation please?!

I highly, HIGHLY recommend.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and Matt Cain for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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Albert Entwistle is a 64 year old postman in the north of England. He loves his job, keeps himself to himself and has lived alone since the death of his mother 18 years ago (barring his cat). But when he discovered that he's going to be forced to retire on his 65 birthday (Royal Mail policy), Albert realises that a lonely future awaits him and that terrifies him, making him realises that he's been hiding from life and it's time to be honest with himself and the world about who he is. His first step is to ask for help to find George, his first love...

Have you guys ever had high hopes for an upcoming book and not only did it hit all your expectations but exceeds them? Well, this book was that for me! It was warm, tender, had a slight edge of bittersweet (not much, just an edge) and it was simply wonderful. Heartwarmingly wonderful.

Now, writing 5 star reviews are hard as I would gush non-stop about Albert and his growth as a character (him coming to terms with who he is, him slowly beginning to have friends, his search for George, his growth with his self-confidence and self-worth). I could easily talk about his friendship with Nicole, a single twenty-something mum who lives on his route, as their friendship was delightful.

A wonderfully endearing read and I can't wait to reread this in the future.

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