Mail

Anyone who has ever wielded pen in pursuit of a career as a professional writer will be able to identify with Katinka O'Toole, the bright and witty heroine of Medwed's debut novel, a frothy romantic comedy. A Harvard graduate and former wife of a much older Joycean scholar, the 31-year-old Cambridge resident has given up her job at Widener Library to take a chance on herself. Her mailbox becomes ""an umbilical cord... the giver of pleasure and pain,"" and her new mailman becomes the man of her dreams. Louie Cappetti is a rough-around-the-edges kind of guy whose greatest charm, at least for the reader, is his empathy with Katinka's disappointments and triumphs. Her lust for Louie inspires Katinka to spritz Arpege before collecting the mail. But when Louie breaks his leg and is unable to complete his rounds, will Katinka remain constant? Or will she turn to awkward but decent lawyer Jake Barnes (fully intact, despite his name)? Medwed's talent is in the details, and there's a particularly funny ongoing bit involving a sack of flour that's supposed to teach a child the responsibilities of single parenting. She's also equally adept at small poignancies and manages to keep the reader guessing as to where--if not why--Katinka's affections will finally alight. Nice delivery. Simultaneous Warner audio. (May)