The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle

CW: an elderly cat has to be put to sleep

Criticizing this book feels like kicking a puppy; it's just so well-intentioned. It hasn't been very long since being gay meant shame, isolation, and possibly criminal persecution, and that's an important fact to remember, both so we can celebrate how far we've come and make sure we don't slide backwards. I just wish the vehicle through which all of this is communicated was a little more nuanced.

The titular Albert is a reclusive, deeply closeted British postman who is on the cusp of retirement. He delivers the mail with his head down and a few trite phrases to keep from engaging with anyone (“the mail won't deliver itself!”). Albert has hidden away from the world for decades, ever since his budding romance with classmate George ended disastrously and his father's virulent homophobia convinced Albert he could never reveal that part of himself. Years spent caring for a bitter, demanding elderly mother further isolated him.

But after one more traumatic loss, Albert resolves to make dramatic changes to find happiness in the years he has left. All it takes is a a book and some YouTube videos about building up your self-confidence, and Albert is suddenly a new man. He opens up to his co-workers, helps a young Black single mom who lives on his postal route, and chips in to send a terminally ill young boy to Disneyworld (yes, really!). Most importantly, with help of his new smartphone and friends, he sets out to find George and see if it's not too late to start over with the love of his life.

The flashback scenes to the 1970s in which George is regularly beaten up for looking too effeminate while Albert tries to keep their relationship a secret in the face of his father's constant harangues about the “disgusting” nature of “perverts,” are genuinely horrifying and sobering. There's no doubt that Albert lived in a closeted hell for too many years. But it doesn't feel at all realistic that his turnaround happens so quickly and easily. Everyone he encounters is supportive, and his coworkers are so delighted with his newly revealed sexuality that they throw him a “congratulations on coming out” party. He's further blessed by the presence of a gay couple who move in next door and become his ambassadors to gay culture. Sure Albert deserves a HEA, but does it have to be so treacly sweet?

Occasionally Albert stops and thinks about all of the other men like him who were forced to stay closeted, and he vows to make dramatic changes in their memory. These are very moving moments, but they only highlight the fact that Albert feels more like a symbol than a real person. In fact, the postscript to the American edition of the book contains several brief interviews that the Matt Cain had with older gay men, who talk about their experiences living in an era when homosexuality was still a crime. The distinct personalities of each man comes through clearly and their stories are fascinatingly diverse. I kinda, sorta wish Cain had written the whole book about them instead of about Albert.

ARC received from Net Galley. This book was published in Great Britain in 2021 and will be released in the U.S. in May 2022.