The Letter: The most heartwrenching love story and World War Two historical fiction for summer reading

I love this book so much. The characters are realistic, and the mystery-romance makes the plot very enjoyable! I would read every book Kathryn Hughes has written!

A touching intricately woven tale of love, loss, survival and joy.SUMMARYTwo women, who were born decades apart, lives are intricately woven to create a story of friendship, love and the kindness of strangers that can make a world of difference in a life. Chrissie Skinner lives in Manchester England in the late 1930s. She lives with her controlling parents and in order not to bring shame on the family she is ultimately forced to move to Tipperary, Ireland to live with an aunt.Tina Craig lives in Manchester in the 1970s and is unhappily married to an abusive and alcoholic husband. She volunteers at a charity shop on Saturdays, and one day while sorting through the pockets of an expensive secondhand suit she comes across an old letter. The letter is firmly sealed, and had never been mailed. Tina opens the letter and finds it was written on September 4, 1939. She's moved by the contents and wonders why the letter was never mailed. She embarks on a major quest to find out what became of both the writer and the intended recipient. The letter had a major impact on her life.The mystery of how this love letter ended up in Tina's hands is uncovered through Billy Stirling’s story from the late 1930’s. He writes a letter to his love that could change his life forever, but unbeknownst to Billy, that letter will not be delivered for thirty-four years.REVIEWTHE LETTER is a touching tale of love, loss, survival and joy. The book was immediately engaging. KATHRYN HUGHES has created a page-turning story that will keep you entertained. Chapters alternate between Chrissie, Billy and Tina; and between 1973 and 1939. Despite the various points on view and change in timeframes, the book is remarkably easy to follow. Hughes writing is easy to read. Both Chrissie and Tina’s characters are human, with human strengths and weaknesses; and both grow a great deal emotionally during the course of the book. The ending of the book was throughly satisfying. Overall, it's a creative book and definitely worth the read.

Truly enjoyable read which left me riveted to every page. We are routing for those in search of their lost loved-ones. A book that talks about love and hate where the former, most fortunately, triumphs in the end.

This is a book about how an unmarked letter could have wildly changed lives had it been mailed. Years after it was written, it was accidentally found and then read. Stories of two women in particular, past and present, get told.It weaves themes of out of wedlock pregnancy, alcoholism and domestic abuse, the harsh nature of a Catholic Convent for wayward girls, how shame can lead to vicious acts of great oppression and how vindication of lives via great love and persistence can happen. Very cool themes!Logically though, this book failed with a booming thud! Premises went awry over and over. The most significant premise that a letter could have saved the day for one and all failed. Note the timing of circumstances. The letter would have had to have arrived overnight to rescue Chrissy and her family and lover. No letter in 1930s England on the eve of WW2 would have managed overnight delivery. Why didn't the letter writer just call anyhow? Another awry premise was that an abusive husband would just let his wife walk out of the marriage without putting up a fight. He just let her say "I am leaving" and whimpered when she left. Sorry, that's not reality speaking. True situations of domestic abuse do not operate that way at all. Violence is the ever present reality throughout. A third faulty premise was that a virtual stranger would be helped by a convent nurse, a nurse risking her job of 30 plus years, to aid that stranger in his search. The nurse had never spoken to him or even laid eyes on him for more than seconds. She even took him in to her home. Yeah, right. Realism at its most feeble. Finally, nuns were being harassed by one of the characters on their own property. So instead of calling the police and having him hauled away for trespassing, instead, the nuns cave into his threatening to keep knocking on the door until he gets his way. I'm sorry but very lame!However, if one read this book putting aside an attorney's thinking, it was a tour de force for the emotions. The authors simplicity and clarity of writing carried me on a wave of hope for the characters. I wanted love to win out. I wanted the domestic abuser to get his. I wanted the wicked Dr. to someday recognize his wrongs. I wanted strong and sensitive women in harsh circumstances to, if not thrive, at least pull off getting what they need. Emotionally, the book was strong and carried all the archetypes which grip feelings and cause floods of tears and hopes for success.In the realm of emotions, it was very good.That brought on the three stars for me.Enjoy this read. But blindfold your logic to do it!

A lovely story about love and loss. Points to the certainty of how we are all connected, often unknowingly but always importantly.

This is one of the most heartbreaking books I have read. Kathryn Hughes is just such a gifted author. Thank you for this great book. It took her so long to write it, but believe me, it was so worth it!

Interesting premise and the only reason why I finished this book. I wanted to know how it would end but the writing is uninspired, simple and repetative. At times it felt like reading a romance story written by a high school student. Two stars because the story was interesting.

From the first page, you visualise the people/ events/story which continues throughout the book. Well written book. One of my favourites

Amazing story and even better narration of it. The emotions were touching straight to the heart. I will recommend this.