Lost Laysen: The Newly Discovered Story

This book is a great gift for anyone who loves Margaret Mitchell. I am fascinated with her and absolutely enjoy learning all I can about her. To think that she wrote this book when she was so young is amazing. Read it, you will love it.

I didn't know the story of this novella until I received the cassette. This is an indication of the loss to the world of all the works destroyed at Margaret's death. Like the romantic young woman who wrote this tale, perhaps she couldn't bear the thought of her works not being presented as she would have them be. I can't help but see a lithesome Megan Follows at nineteen in the role of Miss Ross when I hear her read this, with her usual mastery. I don't know how it is possible, but she makes the transition from sweet young lady to grizzled seaman in a way that makes this a pleasure to hear. The South Pacific locale and ship terminology seemed real and my limited knowledge found no technical snags-not bad at all for a sixteen year old! The only fault I can think of is that it ends so quickly. Although I believe I could listen to Megan read the phone book, this is much less a strain on her considerable talents. It is a steal at these discounted prices.

I found this book quite by accident. I was so excited I read it all through my favorite class, art. Later on a school bus, I was a freshman, I read the story itself in a half hour. By the end of the story I was crying so hard my shop teacher wondered what was wrong. I loved it! It was great the way the heroine chose to keep what she held precious even in the face of danger. I also loved the letters between Mitchell and Henry Love Angel that compose the first half of the book. Especially the letter about the train ride and the soldier's coffin. That is probably one of the best forms of symbolism I have ever read.

If you're a GWTW fan, don't miss this love story! Lost Laysen is second fiddle to the real story in this offering: Margaret "Peggy" Mitchell's letters to Henry Love Angel. Their story fascinated me much more than the fiction she pinned as a teen. Her letters and the photos and the story of how they surfaced made me feel like the young "Peggy" defied time and was alive again. Peggy's Henry must have been very special!

Lost Laysen is a wonderful treasure. Something that everyone SHOULD read. Short, and with the maximum amount of sweetness, it's a jewel unlike much of todays literature. The characters ideas of love, and honor, are truly wonderful, and inspiring. Although it ends on a sour(sad) note, Lost Laysen, is far above and beyond anything else in it's class. I recommend this book. In fact, I'm writing a screenplay adaptation of this book it...and THAT is a compliment to any work.