The Letter

The Letter by Kathryn Hughes

Originality: ♥♥♥

Quality of Writing: ♥♥♥♥

Character: ♥♥♥♥

Setting: ♥♥♥♥

Overall: ♥♥♥♥

This was a surprisingly good book. Thinking it would be too Mills and Boons for me, I didn’t have any high expectations, but I was wrong!

The Letter focuses on the lives of three people closely linked together. First, there is Chrissie, and her story is set around the Second World War. Chrissie is in love with a guy called Billy, much to her father’s annoyance. Chrissie then gets pregnant out of wed lock and in turn her father sends her away to Ireland in disgrace. There, she eventually gets sent to a convent where after three years her child is adopted by rich Americans. Second, there is Tina’s story, set in the 1970s. Tina is abused by her husband and craves a normal family life. She finds a letter addressed to Chrissie written by Billy in an old suit pocket. Tina is determined to find Chrissie and deliver the letter which was never received by its rightful owner. The last narrative follows Chrissie’s child as he searches for his mother from Ireland to England and back. Together, the three character’s lives entwine in wondrous ways.

I thought this was a beautiful book. It shows how the lives of fallen women living in convents are impacted by their mistakes, and offers a story that sends shivers down your spine. Prepare to be in tears because this book definitely has its sad moments. Overall, 4 stars!