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Too Much Left Unsaid
On July 21, 1969, Mattie McEnroe Connors watches a man walk on the moon for the first time, and is moved to reveal her own story-who better to receive it than the enigmatic, long-awaited guest in her living room? Mattie unfolds a tale that is deeply intertwined with that of her sister-in-law, Kathy Hummel Connors. Mattie's husband's brother surprised the whole family when, shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he showed up at the train station of the small Ohio town the Connors call home, bringing Kathy as his new bride. When Josh left to fight in the war, Kathy-fiercely independent-and Mattie-deeply devoted to her family-had to try to trust and understand each other. From the 1918 flu epidemic through four wars and on to the turbulent sixties, these two ordinary Midwestern women and their families confront social and political change, as well as devastating personal loss. Looking back at her life, Mattie must ask-Is it too late? After so long, can she make up for all that has been left unsaid?
252 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 24, 2013
1 person is currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Lee Collins
1 book3 followersI am a seventy-nine year old retired teacher of education who grew up in Chicago and Pittsburgh, finished high school in Maryland, went to college in Ohio, taught in Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Illinois, and Iowa. I have taught in every grade, kindergarten through college.
My writing has always been personal(letters and journals) and professional (academic papers and presentations). In 2009 I began attending the Summer Writing Festival at the University of Iowa and that fall I wrote a novel in a month. That novel, Mattie Matters, was the germ of Too Much Left Unsaid, which is now on sale to the world.
TMLU tells the story of two women who lived in Ohio in the middle of the Twentieth Century, affected by the changing societal norms and historical events that turned the world upside-down. I have drawn upon historical events to show how ordinary lives changed because the world was changing.
People will want to read this book because the characters will seem familiar and sympathetic. Readers will remember or imagine a simpler world where roles were defined and expected, yet a world where politics, powerful world leaders and the forces of nature changed the expected into the unknown.
I am the best one to tell this story because:
1. I lived through these years, observing the impact of the unexpected on people.
2. My background in sociology, English and education has given me insights into how (some) people behave.
3. I imagined characters that are realistic in their reactions.
4. As a former English teacher I understand the rules of grammar and when to break them.
5. As a great fan of fairy tales and other reading, I have a sense of what sounds good and communicates clearly.
6. I am always open to new ideas and challenges.
My writing has always been personal(letters and journals) and professional (academic papers and presentations). In 2009 I began attending the Summer Writing Festival at the University of Iowa and that fall I wrote a novel in a month. That novel, Mattie Matters, was the germ of Too Much Left Unsaid, which is now on sale to the world.
TMLU tells the story of two women who lived in Ohio in the middle of the Twentieth Century, affected by the changing societal norms and historical events that turned the world upside-down. I have drawn upon historical events to show how ordinary lives changed because the world was changing.
People will want to read this book because the characters will seem familiar and sympathetic. Readers will remember or imagine a simpler world where roles were defined and expected, yet a world where politics, powerful world leaders and the forces of nature changed the expected into the unknown.
I am the best one to tell this story because:
1. I lived through these years, observing the impact of the unexpected on people.
2. My background in sociology, English and education has given me insights into how (some) people behave.
3. I imagined characters that are realistic in their reactions.
4. As a former English teacher I understand the rules of grammar and when to break them.
5. As a great fan of fairy tales and other reading, I have a sense of what sounds good and communicates clearly.
6. I am always open to new ideas and challenges.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 29, 2013
It was a great pleasure working with Lee on her book! I felt like I came to know the characters as old friends--though they kept surprising me as I read on. I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves family drama, with glimpses into everyday life in the United States from the 1920s-1960s.
April 30, 2014
Crisp writing, engaging characters, A time capsule of the depression/WWII generation. I read it in a single sitting.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews