The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

By: Matt Cain

Narrated by: Simon Vance

In a humorous, charmingly wise novel perfect for fans of Fredrik Backman and TJ Klune, the forced retirement of a shy, closeted postman in northern England creates the opportunity for him to track down his lost love, embrace his true self, connect with his community, and finally experience his life’s great adventure….   

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.

©2022 Matt Cain (P)2022 Recorded Books

A truly pleasant surprise

What a touching book. As a gay man fast approaching sixty it is great to listen to stories about finding love in your later years. I’ve been out for most of my life but still carry the scars of growing up gay and living as a gay male. Finally, there are movies and books about gays that don’t all end in tragedy! There is hope…..

Love (this) Story

I wasn’t immediately captivated but as the story progressed I grew to love it. This book is heartwarming and full of love but it’s not all rainbows and unicorns. Very serious issues are dealt with and we see the characters respond and grow. I loved this book and want to give Albert a big hug.

Enjoyed it very much!

Wonderfully told story with so many lessons worth learning. Appreciated the narration as well. Good!

I think the book was well written and beautifully narrated.

I know the author touched the heart and soul of a lot of gays who had to live through prejudice and discrimination so long ago. So many people were irreparably damaged during that time. He tells a heartwarming story.

A sweet lesson that it is never too late!

This delightful title hits a wide range of emotions as sweetly as it possibly can. Albert undergoes an amazing, and amazingly fast transformation. Surrounded by as quirky a cast of supporting characters as one could hope for, Albert seemingly wakes up from a decades long sleepwalk through life.

Pleasantly narrated by Simon Vance, he deftly winds around the large group, but is most amusing when voicing Marjorie - Albert's very nosy, but good hearted boss at the post office. Baby Rini is a very stock toddler voice, and there are a few times when a group is supposed to cheer that it is a bit thin. Where Vance really shines is in the moments of Albert's loneliness or pain, bringing a deep, dry emotion that is quite touching.

This feel good story does have many layers, as we relive Albert and George's short relationship throughout the book as Albert grows more brave. Albert's search for George takes him to ever bigger steps from his comfort zone, and newfound pal, Nicole is a fun support. However it is the unexpected juxtaposition of hearing Nicole's story from her POV alternating with Albert's that really threw me. While I get why it generally works, I also don't know that it was necessary to break from Albert's story. Nicole could have reiterated much of what happened to Albert in conversation, rather than being its own thing.

Overall, this book is very up with people, allowing for reinvention, forgiveness, humility and community. It loses some of the intimacy of Albert's world as we work our way towards the end and suddenly Albert begins thinking in overarching themes, but set that aside.. I highly recommend this book for its plucky hero and the journey he undertakes with a goal to complete before the bluebells bloom. In a real world fraught with tension, this book is a great antidote, you won't regret the listen.