Book Review: ‘The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle’ by Matt Cain

Today, I’m excited to be reviewing ‘The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle’ by Matt Cain, a gorgeous story of someone finding their place in the world later on in life. Thanks so much to Rosie Margesson at Headline and Matt Cain for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review – opinions are entirely my own.

Albert Entwistle, our main character, is a shy and socially awkward postman who is nearing retirement. As he works his last few months for Royal Mail, he reflects on what it will be like to leave the job that has become his entire life in the absence of any other friends or family. Living a life of solitariness and strict routines, he keeps his big secret: he is gay and mourning the loss of a relationship with a young man called George fifty years previously. As Albert faces his retirement alone, he decides that it is better late than never to seize at a chance of happiness and sets out to find George.

I doubt that there is anyone out there that wouldn’t be charmed by Matt Cain’s novel. Albert is a sweet, kind and gently humorous man who you cannot help but want to see succeed. He feels the weight of his perceived stigma about being gay, yet doesn’t realise how the world has moved on since his teen romance with George back in the late 1960s. It is genuinely touching to see the positive reaction that he gets as he comes out to various people – there is an uplifting acceptance of Albert for whoever he is and this is heartwarming.

One of the strengths of this novel is the characterisation. Albert himself is beautifully written by Cain, but the secondary characters are also vivid and interesting. In particular, single mum Nicole and daughter Reenie are really lovely characters and I loved that Nicole also has a story arc of her own. Albert’s Royal Mail colleagues are also really realistic – anyone who has experienced a similar workplace would recognise these types of people, yet they never cross into simplistic stereotypes.

I’ll admit that this novel was a bit of an eye-opener for me in terms of attitudes towards homosexuality. I obviously knew about the criminalisation of gay men through high-profile figures such as Oscar Wilde, but I had no idea that this continued into the 1960s. Albert’s tragedy – lost and forbidden love – is a tragically and surprisingly modern story.

I’ll admit that I expected more of a gradual transformation as Albert finds friends and supporters in his local community. Instead, there seems to be a moment of awakening and Albert chooses to make the most of life in order to compensate for lost time. This meant that we soon see Albert embracing life in Manchester’s Gay Village in some joyous and lively scenes.

This novel of transformations and new starts would appeal to anyone who loved ‘Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine’ by Gail Honeyman or the ‘Rosie’ series of novels by Graeme Simsion. There is a similar gentle humour, touching storyline and positive message, although Albert is – of course – a true original.

I’d recommend this warm, humorous and engaging novel to everyone! I genuinely think that we could all do with a bit of Albert’s positivity in our lives – it is never too late to seize the day!

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