The Postman by Antonio Skarmeta

Il Postino was written in 1985 and translated into English in 1987 as The Postman. In this romantic novel, a simple seventeen-year-old fisherman begins a friendship with real-life Chilean poet Pablo Neruda and gains the love of both poetry and a young girl.

Mario Jimenez becomes the unusual postman to Isla Negra and its one inhabitant: Pablo Neruda. It's not so simple, as there is a copious amount of mail every day, but Mario manages on his cheery Legnano bicycle.

Neruda hopefully awaits a letter from Sweden and the Nobel Prize Committee, and Mario asks him to sign a copy of his Elemental Odes in hopes of impressing the beautiful sixteen-year-old Beatriz, who runs a café with her mother.

As their friendship grows, Neruda teaches him metaphors and poetry, and Mario discovers the way you feel when you read it. Beatriz savors Mario's poems on the tip of her tongue, and he wins her heart. Neruda is considered for President of the Republic of Chile but ends up as Ambassador to France, and the friends continue exchanging letters. The always present political climate begins to encroach, and a coup in Chile changes their lives.

Humorous and charming, exploring the bond of friendship, this was enjoyable from the first page. Skarmeta was inspired by meeting Neruda at his home, and it took 14 years to complete. Popular Italian actor Massimo Troisi co-wrote and starred in the 1994 film adaptation with Philippe Noiret, where they moved the story from Chile to Italy, aged Mario from 17 to 40, and changed the ending. Internationally acclaimed, it won many major awards including the BAFTA for Best Foreign Film, Best Director, and Best Original Score. It won the Academy Award for Best Score and was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, and Best Screenplay.

1987 / Tradeback / 118 pages