The Love Letter

Schine's writing in 'The Love Letter' is deceptively simple but filled with subtle understanding of human nature and the sensual pleasures of the natural world. Consider the book's opening paragraph: "The honeysuckle was everywhere the day the letter arrived, like heat. Wild roses bloomed in hedges of tendrils and perfume. There were fat bees, dirigible bees, plump and miniature. It was a sweet, tangled morning..." Such passages recur through the book, and remind one of the small epiphanies of life that occur when we momentarily lose ourselves to joy. I loved reading this novel. While I initially disliked the character of Helen, as I continued reading I began to identify with her. She emerges from being a somewhat irritating flirt and controlling personality into a woman surprised and chagrined at finding happiness and emotional freedom with the love of a young man half her age. The reader comes away with a feeling that she has met a real, imperfect, vulnerable human being in Helen. The character of Johnny is humorously endearing and believable. Ultimately, this unconventional love story itself becomes an epiphany, one which reminds us of the joy awaiting when we embrace the gifts life brings so unexpectedly.A smart, literate, elegant reading experience, 'The Love Letter' makes us reflect-- on the essence of writing our emotions, the nature of love, the simplest pleasures of life, and our own fears, foibles and capacity for growth at any age.

This book was great. Once I started to read it, I could not put it down. I just had to find out who wrote the letter. The reason I am writing this review is that I was not disappointed at all by the ending. If I read a review of a book and see that someone was disappointed with an ending, I ususally do not buy the book. There were so many great things about this book - mentioned in the other reviews so I won't repeat. I'm giving it 5 stars because it was funny, thought-provoking, and surprising.

I enjoyed this book very much, I don't know why the previous reviewers gave it such poor ratings. I loved the dialogue and the love leter itself, very romantic. This book is not for those looking for a serious read, but great for a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon. Highly recommend!

I loved this book. It's one of those where you could say that nothing much happens: the development is in understanding not in terms of action. It's modern in every way, but it also has a quality that seems somehow more attuned to 19th or 18th century fiction - perhaps because of the pace, which is relaxed and dreamy and takes its time. So it is a subtle novel; Schine creates a wonderful mysterious atmosphere that carried me through from the first page to the last. The relationships between the characters are very convincing and help the reader to associate with them. As a male, I was suspicious at first of what looked like - and indeed is - a romance. But it's also much more than that: a deep examination of the way the heroine's mind works. I think that's what good fiction is for. If you like subtlety, I recommend it highly.

I loved this book. It's one of those where you could say that nothing much happens: the development is in understanding not in terms of action. It's modern in every way, but it also has a quality that seems somehow more attuned to 19th or 18th century fiction - perhaps because of the pace, which is relaxed and dreamy and takes its time. So it is a subtle novel; Schine creates a wonderful mysterious atmosphere that carried me through from the first page to the last. The relationships between the characters are very convincing and help the reader to associate with them. As a male, I was suspicious at first of what looked like - and indeed is - a romance. But it's also much more than that: a deep examination of the way the heroine's mind works. In this way we learn about ourselves and others and what makes us all tick. I think that's what good fiction is for. If you like subtlety, I recommend it highly.