Postcards in books and games
Time and time again we have found that taking a few minutes to hand write a postcard to someone makes a huge impact. Whether your send it from your home town or an exotic place you are visiting doesn’t matter. We recently came across three novels and a game where postcards are central to the intrigue.
Several interesting literary techniques are used are used in Annie Proulx’s novel Postcards. For example, postcards begin each chapter. The postcards appear in the novel as graphics, complete with franking, address and message. They introduce narrative sections, keep the reader oriented in the timeline of half a century, give background as well as foreshadow. She also uses lists and some chapters by the omniscient author entitled “What I See” add new perspective and fascinating lists offer deep descriptions. The postcards and lists are metaphors, descriptive vehicles and sources of irony. As for the story, shoo, Loyal, the central character has seen it all. Talk about hard luck. Chased by his past demons, a tornado hits him head on, he’s trapped in a flooded mine, his farm is destroyed by fire, he is caught in a sudden ground blizzard, he is diagnosed with emphysema and ends up destitute…. What more could bedevil to a man? And yet he perseveres. And then there’s the rest of his family, a true American tragedy with each finding their way through hardship and succes. Loyal’s mother, Jewell, even thrives once she learns to drive. It’s a story that tours the backroads and backwaters of the USA. A story of hard knocks, rather sad as you empathize with Loyal and his troubles, yet captivating and even uplifting at times. As well said by Larry Brown, author, “Reading this novel is like being swept along by a hurricane. I couldn’t put it down and I grieved when it was over. It’s one of the finest things I’ve read in a long time.” I certainly agree. The story makes this novel compelling; unusual technique makes it beautiful. Postcards, published in 1992, is Proulx’s first novel. Her second, The Shipping News (1993), was awarded both a Pulitzer Prize and a National Book Award making her an author I will certainly read again.
Anne Berest’s The Postcard stands out as one of the more celebrated French novels of recent years. The book weaves together an engrossing exploration of family trauma, heartfelt moments between mothers and daughters, and an evocative depiction of intellectual and artistic life in twentieth-century Paris. In January 2003, the Berest family received an anonymous postcard along with their usual holiday mail. Its front displayed a photograph of the Opéra Garnier in Paris; its reverse listed the names of Anne Berest’s maternal great-grandparents—Ephraïm and Emma—and their children, Noémie and Jacques, all victims at Auschwitz. Years after this mysterious card arrived, the novel’s protagonist sets out to uncover its sender and purpose. Through her journey, she uncovers a powerful family saga marked by the hardships of the twentieth century, ultimately finding hope and restoration through storytelling. Winner of the Choix Goncourt Prize, the Prix Renaudot des lycéens, and the ELLE Readers Prize
The Postcard Killers is a crime novel by Swedish writer Liza Marklund and American author James Patterson. A young American couple is murdered while vacationing in Europe. The young woman’s father, Jacob Kanon, is a New York City police investigator who travels to Europe making a tour of Europe’s beautiful cities to hunt down the murderer. Other young couples in France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden have since then been killed. Little connects the murders, other than a postcard to the local newspaper that precedes each new victim. Paris is stunning in the summer… The killing is simply marvelous… Wish you were here…. Kanon teams up with the Swedish reporter, Dessie Larsson, who has just received a postcard in Stockholm–and they think they know where the next victims will be. Kanon and Larsson must work against time since every murder is preceded by a postcard to a regional daily.
Postcards – The Game
Get on your bike and explore France’s 13 stunning regions in this fast-paced strategy game! Move across the map, collect postcards, and establish camps to unlock bonuses. To send a postcard, you’ll need to be in the right region with enough stamps to mail it. Every decision counts and shapes the outcome as you plan your route, optimize your actions, and race to become the most seasoned traveler! Postcards is a game of exploration and strategy for both competitive and solo play. Featuring beautifully illustrated postcards and a vibrant game board that captures the essence of France’s landscapes and culture. Postcards is easy to learn, but a challenge to master. The game is both accessible, deeply rewarding for strategic players and can be played again and again. For ages 8+. The game is bilingual, available now in France and in March 2026 in North America.
- Postcards. Author: E. Annie Proulx, Publisher: Charles Scribner’s Sons, 1992
- The Postcard. Author : Anne Berest, Publisher: Europa, 2023
- The Postcard Killers, Authors: James Patterson and Liza Marklund, Publisher: Little, Brown and Co., 2010
- Postcards, The Game. Design by Eric Dubus and Simon Kayne. Illustrations by Crocotame, Published by Synapse Jeux
Read more about postcards, history, impact https://fusac.fr/the-power-of-a-postcard/
