The Letter

by Joseph Devon

Naming your main character Tom means something in American literature. The Ghosts' of Sawyer and Joad haunt that character from page one. But in The Letter, instead of hiding behind the memorable characterizations of past ‘literary Toms,' Joseph Devon attacks this notion of the proud, stoic, and resourceful hero in modern times. After an unspeakable accident leaves Tom Quint without a shred of hope, he must reluctantly explore not only the world he passes in his ragtop, but the life that has passed him by. And like his literary predecessors, Quint's reluctance to adapt is what makes his struggle to survive so compelling.

212 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book in a first reads giveaway and I was very excited about winning it. I wanted to read it because it was about a group of guys who were going on a road trip across the US. I cycled across the US this summer and I thought that the book would be a really good read. I was looking forward to read how Tom, the main character, would react to the places that I had been.

The book frustrated the stew out of me. Instead of being about the adventures that the guys encountered on their trip, it was more of a story about Tom's state of mind during the trip. The fact that the goodreads description likened Tom to Tom Sawyer and Tom Joad really lead me to believe that I would be reading an adventure story. I did go back and read the synopsis again to realize that I probably put too much into the comparisons of the Toms, but never-the-less I was expecting detailed adventures.

So here it is two days before Christmas and I just finished a book about a depressed guy, who yes, has a reason to be depressed, but it just wasn't the story for me.

I will say that the book was written well enough and with enough foreshadowing to keep me reading. At one point, had this not been a first read, I would have put it on a "to finish later" shelf. However, about half way through I decided that I did want to know what happened in the end. The author did include a couple of twists that I wasn't expecting. That being said, the ending could have used one more chapter to tie up loose ends.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Joseph Devon for offering this poignant book as a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. The Letter is a very detailed and vivid exploration of a man's soul-searching journey, not only across the country but through time, thoughts and relationships. It's not so much a letter (really didn't "get" the transitions from letter to journal) but more of a reminiscing, a long walk down a very painful memory lane riddled with sadness, missed opportunities and deep dark secrets and emotions.

Aside from the somber subject matter, I actually enjoyed reading this book. It was well-written and I felt like I was on the road-trip with these boys. I felt what they felt. Thought what they thought. Yes, I even teared up in certain parts of the book. There was some moments that I felt it was over detailed and drifting and yet there were other parts that I felt could have been explained more, but overall it was a "goodread!"

Thank you again Mr. Devon for a great book.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had me hooked from the beginning. When it began in a deli shop I was unsure where it would lead. When the main character began recalling things from his past I instantly fell in love with his family. My heart ached for this character because of the pain and loss he must have been going through.

I was not annoyed or tired of how inside himself the character was even around his friends because I understood. I understood how when things get so bad theres no safe place anymore until you just lose yourself entirely.


The journey throughout the road trip did get drawn out at parts however it was needed to fully understand the book. I enjoyed this book because it spanned several years even if it was mostly memories.

I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book on the Goodreads First Reads program. I have to confess that when I received it I saw that it was self-published and was a bit worried. But it was a good book. Well-written and interesting. I do think it could have used a bit more editing. There were some parts that dragged but overall the book enjoyable and I was intrigued by the character's stories.

[Kevin · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was ok. Not great. Just ok. Part of it comes from my expectations, I guess. I had just read Probability Angels and expected something just as captivating. If you like to put yourself in another person's shoes and escape into the story of someone else, you might like this.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. I was involved. It made me cry, and it made me laugh. I thought that the end could have been tied things up more and I wasn't really sure how it actually started, I didn't get the connection from the deli and the birthday to how he had to see his friend right then.

[+ Dragonfly+ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book it was something I might not have ever picked up on my own if not for winning this book from First Reads, Thank You for the chance to read it!

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

First Reads winner book. Look forward to reading.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thought it was pretty good. Not a book I would normally read, but am glad I did.