Monday, June 3, 2013

Letters from Syke Book Review




Letters from Skye: A Novel
Picture Credit
 Letters from Skye by Jessica Brockmole is a unique look into two women's lives.


A sweeping story told in letters, spanning two continents and two world wars, Jessica Brockmole’s atmospheric debut novel captures the indelible ways that people fall in love, and celebrates the power of the written word to stir the heart.

March 1912: Twenty-four-year-old Elspeth Dunn, a published poet, has never seen the world beyond her home on Scotland’s remote Isle of Skye. So she is astonished when her first fan letter arrives, from a college student, David Graham, in far-away America. As the two strike up a correspondence—sharing their favorite books, wildest hopes, and deepest secrets—their exchanges blossom into friendship, and eventually into love. But as World War I engulfs Europe and David volunteers as an ambulance driver on the Western front, Elspeth can only wait for him on Skye, hoping he’ll survive.

June 1940: At the start of World War II, Elspeth’s daughter, Margaret, has fallen for a pilot in the Royal Air Force. Her mother warns her against seeking love in wartime, an admonition Margaret doesn’t understand. Then, after a bomb rocks Elspeth’s house, and letters that were hidden in a wall come raining down, Elspeth disappears. Only a single letter remains as a clue to Elspeth’s whereabouts. As Margaret sets out to discover where her mother has gone, she must also face the truth of what happened to her family long ago. (Goodreads)




I honestly had no idea I was going to receive this book in the mail. After reading the back cover I thought I would really enjoy this book. I love reading letters back and forth between people, though it has to be written in a way that makes sense. Jessica Brockmole did a fantastic job with this book, as it is split between the letters of four people. I couldn't put this book down, I just wanted to know how everything ended. While with most books you can figure out the ending, the author could have gone a million directions to end this book. I love the history, I can't imagine having a husband at war while the world is being bombed, especially your own backyard.
 I really enjoyed the characters, mainly Elspeth Dunn, I couldn't really relate but I just enjoyed reading her letters the most. At the start of the book I was laughing a lot because the author makes the characters very witty in their writing. It was amusing to read the letters between Elspeth and David. About mid-book I was disappointed but continued reading as I figured out Elspeth was married and had an affair during her marriage. This subject is addressed as being alright because her husband was at war and she was in love. While her family was torn apart because of this, I did not agree that it was ok for her to have an affair while married. I still find this book to be very well written and unique. For those who are used to reading Christian fiction, this is not the book for you as some of the scenes give a lot of sexual detail. 
I did enjoy reading this book, and I look forward to more books by this author. 

"I received this book from the publisher for free in exchange for an honest review."

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