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Letters to Karen: A Father's Advice On Keeping Love in Marriage
Every bride wants her father's blessing and to have the wisdom that comes from more than forty years of happy marriage.
In this classic book, a father writes letters of love, encouragement, and advice to his newly engaged daughter. In his letters are the hopes and dreams that all parents share for their children as they begin a new chapter of their lives.
Beloved for its thoughtfulness and insight, the advice found in Letters to Karen is a sound and relevant today as when it was originally written in 1965.
In this classic book, a father writes letters of love, encouragement, and advice to his newly engaged daughter. In his letters are the hopes and dreams that all parents share for their children as they begin a new chapter of their lives.
Beloved for its thoughtfulness and insight, the advice found in Letters to Karen is a sound and relevant today as when it was originally written in 1965.
151 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2008
17 people are currently reading
35 people want to read
About the author
Charlie W. Shedd
47 books18 followersDr. Charles W. Shedd was an American Presbyterian minister and a master communicator of homespun wisdom. Dr. Shedd served as a Presbyterian minister for over 50 years. He was the shepherd of small country churches and big city cathedrals. Along the way, he walked alongside janitors, farmers, physicians, senators, and presidential cabinet members. "Pastor Shedd" never met a stranger, or left anyone who did not feel richer for being in this presence.
He authored over 40 books, wrote nationally syndicated columns, and was a favorite guest of numerous television and radio personalities.
He authored over 40 books, wrote nationally syndicated columns, and was a favorite guest of numerous television and radio personalities.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 19, 2021
Overall enjoyable and practical advice. One letter felt quite out of place for a "Christian" book though...
April 4, 2019
This book was written in 1965, so of course there are real book editions. What I have is the mass-market paperback with the image of a young woman's long blonde hair on the cover.
It's just basic relationship advice, addressed to a bride but applicable to anybody. I was surprised by how generic and thus nonsexist the advice is. Shedd tells his daughter, and other brides, that in a good relationship both parties are willing to give 60% rather than fight for 50%--it's not Shedd's fault that, in many cases, only the wives were listening. But despite the discreet, father-to-daughter advice that wives should cooperate with their husbands' sexual "needs" as much as possible and show passion when that was possible, nearly all of this book would need only minor changes to be addressed to husbands, parents, children, teachers, students, or co-workers. It's about communication and good will, not sex.
It's not really about Christianity, either; it was written by and addressed to Christians, so it takes Evangelical Protestant culture for granted, but not so much as to be unreadable for people outside that subculture.
So it still works. If you've read other books of this type "Letters to Karen" may not be the freshest, the most relevant, or the most detailed communication book out there. As a first book on communication it's still worth reading today.
It's just basic relationship advice, addressed to a bride but applicable to anybody. I was surprised by how generic and thus nonsexist the advice is. Shedd tells his daughter, and other brides, that in a good relationship both parties are willing to give 60% rather than fight for 50%--it's not Shedd's fault that, in many cases, only the wives were listening. But despite the discreet, father-to-daughter advice that wives should cooperate with their husbands' sexual "needs" as much as possible and show passion when that was possible, nearly all of this book would need only minor changes to be addressed to husbands, parents, children, teachers, students, or co-workers. It's about communication and good will, not sex.
It's not really about Christianity, either; it was written by and addressed to Christians, so it takes Evangelical Protestant culture for granted, but not so much as to be unreadable for people outside that subculture.
So it still works. If you've read other books of this type "Letters to Karen" may not be the freshest, the most relevant, or the most detailed communication book out there. As a first book on communication it's still worth reading today.
December 2, 2014
A quick yet insightful read!
Definitely written for the Christian audience but even if you're not Christian, the principles of compassion, kindness, selflessness, talking, and listening are ones everyone can hear again! This book is also good for anyone who is single, dating, engaged, or married. Love it! I gave it 4 stars since I don't agree with some of the outdated things in it, but it doesn't take away from the message.
Definitely written for the Christian audience but even if you're not Christian, the principles of compassion, kindness, selflessness, talking, and listening are ones everyone can hear again! This book is also good for anyone who is single, dating, engaged, or married. Love it! I gave it 4 stars since I don't agree with some of the outdated things in it, but it doesn't take away from the message.
March 7, 2025
Lovely read.
December 11, 2020
I read this book as a newly married gal, and I can say I realized how much I underestimated the power communication has on the strength of a marriage. This book is timeless in its nuggets of wisdom.
May 20, 2021
An easy read with some solid advice and kind instruction. My biggest takeaway was how much the author loved his daughter and truly wanted her marriage to succeed—what an amazing gift from a father to his daughter. It is very sweet collection of letters that I’d recommend overall; however, it does seem a bit more catered to those who are housewives, or those who want more of an “old fashioned” marriage. Nonetheless, a good read.
March 26, 2015
I've read this book several times. Each letter is short and covers a specific topic which makes it easy to read. Some readers might think this book is old-fashioned and sexist, but I find it very helpful.
April 18, 2015
Classic! I love how it's arranged in letter format. Timely truths about marriage from a dad to his newly married daughter.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews