Ever heard of an epistolary novel? Hint: epistolary comes from the Latin word epistola, which means letter. That’s why we call Paul’s letters in the New Testament epistles! (See, I’m a total word nerd.) So, with an epistolary novel, we only have letters to give us information about a character’s personality, motivation, and flaws. We must appreciate subtle hints and humor and determine whether we can trust the information a character gives us through his or her letters. These books are fun and great if, like many other busy people out there, you only have time to read in short bursts. I’m going to splurge this week and recommend two of my favorites!
In The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, we meet Juliet Ashton, a writer who wants to pen a story of substance and significance at the close of World War II. By chance, she receives a letter from a reader who lives on Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands between England and France that the Germans occupied during the war. Juliet begins regular correspondence with the island’s “literary society,” and the letters, as well as the characters who write them, are witty, quirky, and endearing. I especially love that the story highlights how literature can bring people together and inspire hope.
My second recommendation is The Last Days of Summer, by Steve Kluger. Although one of its main characters plays third base for the New York Giants, this book covers much more than baseball. Joey, the frequent target of bullies in his Brooklyn neighborhood, decides to make baseball star Charlie Banks his new best friend, and he sends the athlete letters requesting proof of this friendship. Initially, Banks does not appreciate his young fan’s attention, but the two end up exchanging many hilarious letters. We also get to see report cards, newspaper articles, and psychiatrist transcripts. Intrigued? You should be! I know several of my book club buddies have given this book as a birthday or Christmas present, and with December just around the corner…
I’ll be happy to repay the favor, since I’ve learned so much from blogmamasusan.blogspot.com!
I am so happy to be friends with a word nerd – I’m so excited about all the cool things you’ll teach me!!