What do you think?
Rate this book
Gift of a Letter, The
A celebration of the letter as a form of art and a means of communication evaluates different types of paper and the proper occasions for each and examines the epistles of history's great letter-writers
162 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
1 person is currently reading
155 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Stoddard
41 books127 followersALEXANDRA STODDARD is a philosopher of contemporary living and author of many best selling books, including the classic Living a Beautiful Life: 500 Ways to Add Elegance, Order, Beauty and Joy to Every Day of Your Life, Choosing Happiness: Keys to a Joyful Life, Things I Want My Daughters to Know: A Small Book About the Big Issues in Life, and You Are Your Choices: 50 Ways to Live the Good Life. Alexandra's newest book Happiness For Two: 75 Secrets for Finding More Joy Together, published in January 2008, is now in its second printing.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 18, 2013
A fun little book. I almost wish it was more organized and less "conversational"... but that would probably take away the charm. Will be re-reading this one soon.
We definitely need more letters and mail in our lives! Please message me with your address; I would love to send you a handmade postcard!
We definitely need more letters and mail in our lives! Please message me with your address; I would love to send you a handmade postcard!
Read
January 29, 2024A flowery inspiriting rebuke to us all!
August 27, 2017
I ALMOST abandoned this book. Now that I've finished it I'm glad that I didn't. While slightly outdated in a few respects, Alexandra does give some good ideas for letter writting. Most importantly though, she inspires you to want to sit down and write a letter. I think a shopping trip for new stationary and pens is in order now. And I've already been to the post office to purchase the commemorative stamps instead of the basic flag ones. So yes, the book is effective.
June 17, 2013
I received this book from my Grandmother this spring when she was cleaning out her apartment in preparation for a move to the Nursing Home. I will always treasure this little book because it came from Grandma Jeanette. In this age of email, Facebook messages and texts, I still prefer to write letters to stay in touch! Really interesting read with good advice for corresponding with others.
March 22, 2024
A short book that I read in one day. I'd like to give it four stars, but I just can't.
Stoddard's premise, that nothing bears a (handwritten) letter, is largely valid. However, that was over 30 years ago, where things have vastly changed. Most people are going to print out longer letters, rather than write pages of text (I said, most). By today's standards, that's still more personal if mailed than an e-mail. It's about taking the time to send complete thoughts. Especially, thank-you, condolences, etc.
I don't know any other way to put it, so here goes ... She comes from a VERY privileged background, which was the norm for her, but almost everyone else? Not so much. For instance, for her small business stationery needs, nothing less than consultation with and oversight from the CEO of Tiffany's would do! That made it quite difficult to identify with her as a person (bond), the feeling that only the 1% are the true target audience here. May not be fair, but it was my reader experience.
I can recommend the book, keeping in mind that you don't need the fancy, expensive supplies she references. Most people are fine with using regular pens on anything "fancier" than notebook paper. Moreover, note cards have their place as well.
Stoddard's premise, that nothing bears a (handwritten) letter, is largely valid. However, that was over 30 years ago, where things have vastly changed. Most people are going to print out longer letters, rather than write pages of text (I said, most). By today's standards, that's still more personal if mailed than an e-mail. It's about taking the time to send complete thoughts. Especially, thank-you, condolences, etc.
I don't know any other way to put it, so here goes ... She comes from a VERY privileged background, which was the norm for her, but almost everyone else? Not so much. For instance, for her small business stationery needs, nothing less than consultation with and oversight from the CEO of Tiffany's would do! That made it quite difficult to identify with her as a person (bond), the feeling that only the 1% are the true target audience here. May not be fair, but it was my reader experience.
I can recommend the book, keeping in mind that you don't need the fancy, expensive supplies she references. Most people are fine with using regular pens on anything "fancier" than notebook paper. Moreover, note cards have their place as well.
January 6, 2025
Excellent book and even more worthy of reading today in a world where we text and chat and IM and even video chat. I began writing letters to my husband when we were on opposite sides of the country for a year, and rediscovered my love of fountain pens, ink, stationery, and writing. I had a Sunday ritual of writing letters at a small cafe in Kennebunk, Maine, and I was known to always sit at one particular table to write. I could write five or six letters while enjoying a breakfast sandwich and a churro latte (or two), and it set me up for the week. I have had a hard time keeping it going now that I’m back with my husband, now in California, and have new responsibilities. This book reminded me that choosing to spend the time this way is worth it.
And Pam, I owe you a letter!! 😁
And Pam, I owe you a letter!! 😁
March 21, 2019
Though outdated, this book has a few nuggets of truth and wisdom about letter writing, letters written by well-known people, and stationary and letter writing paraphernalia. This book did lead me to my favorite letter from President Lincoln to his brother-in-law about borrowing money.
There is no reason that I find that I would need to keep this book. I will pass it on to our local little library. But besides that I don’t find much use for it.
There is no reason that I find that I would need to keep this book. I will pass it on to our local little library. But besides that I don’t find much use for it.
February 12, 2017
For a little book (123 pages) I took a long time to read it. Not that the subject matter was boring, I just wanted to take in all it had to offer. A handwritten letter is a special gift we give to those we care about.
February 14, 2020
Alexandra Stoddard is one of my "old standard authors". She is rather old-fashioned in her ideas but I love her quaint style. This was an especially sweet book, very small and quick to read about writing letters and how uplifting they can be to send and receive.
May 19, 2020
As a voluminous writer of handwritten letters, I loved this book and agreed with its sentiment completely. Now to only find others who love this and respond in kind in this day of technology.
November 27, 2025
We had this book in the house when I was a kid, and I remember it inspiring me to get some pen pals and write more. It was fun to find a copy and revisit it again after 30 years or so.
July 24, 2011
The book, Gift of a Letter, by Alexandra Stoddard, provides a timeless analysis of the value of hand-written communication for both the writer and the recipient. She intimately describes the value of a letter in revealing deep truth and loving thoughts and compares letter writing to "sending your ship out." as the vulnerability and permanence are fixed. She encourages leaving the misspelled words, cross-outs, and additional expressions of truths because a letter written from the heart, i.e., a “spontaneous letter,” is an “extraordinary gift.” She further reports that a correspondence with, “… only one line is sufficient.”
Ms Stoddard refers to and quotes many famous letter writers including Samuel Johnson, Abraham Lincoln, Elizabeth Barrett, E.B.White, etc.; provides appendix listing famous letters she has enjoyed; and warmly discusses the writings of Virginia Wolf throughout the book. She states that, “Surely letter writing must be a part of the pursuit of happiness.”
Who can deny the pleasure of receiving a hand written correspondence from someone you personally know even if it says only, “I’m thinking about you...” Ms Stoddard challenges, “dare to begin,” “it is never too late,” that “no news is not good news,” and provides advice concerning how and what to write including comments concerning quality of hand writing.
I recommend this book for any wondering about taking up the valuable habit of letter-writing. Letters allow you to purposefully communicate your true intent and may be read and re-read by the recipients at their leisure. This is an easy and educational read.
Ms Stoddard refers to and quotes many famous letter writers including Samuel Johnson, Abraham Lincoln, Elizabeth Barrett, E.B.White, etc.; provides appendix listing famous letters she has enjoyed; and warmly discusses the writings of Virginia Wolf throughout the book. She states that, “Surely letter writing must be a part of the pursuit of happiness.”
Who can deny the pleasure of receiving a hand written correspondence from someone you personally know even if it says only, “I’m thinking about you...” Ms Stoddard challenges, “dare to begin,” “it is never too late,” that “no news is not good news,” and provides advice concerning how and what to write including comments concerning quality of hand writing.
I recommend this book for any wondering about taking up the valuable habit of letter-writing. Letters allow you to purposefully communicate your true intent and may be read and re-read by the recipients at their leisure. This is an easy and educational read.
December 23, 2020
A lovely ode to the joys of letter writing in all of its forms!
January 1, 2017
Alexandra Stoddard's Gift of a Letter is a lyrical, often moving paean to the (almost) lost art of letter writing. It is a book to be read slowly and thoughtfully. And then to be acted upon.
I enjoy reading historical biographies, such as McCullough's John Adams, many of which use as source material the letters written by the subjects and their contemporaries. I am frequently astonished by, and envious of, their ability to express themselves in their letters to loved ones and associates. Stoddard's book is an introduction to following in their footsteps. It is less formulaic than it is appreciative, but there are, nonetheless, abundant insights into letter writing. Stoddard writes movingly of the need for handwritten letters, the blessing that they are to recipients, and the perfect tools (pen and paper) for writing with dignity and elegance. As she says:
"A letter is a gift. It can turn a private moment into an exalted experience. Unlike the phone, a letter is never an interruption. A letter doesn't require immediate attention; it can be saved and savored for the appropriate time and place...[A] letter is a treat with no strings attached."
Stoddard's book has led me to find personal stationary, and to when and how to initiate correspondence with a number of people, both family and friends, in my life. That, too, is a gift.
I enjoy reading historical biographies, such as McCullough's John Adams, many of which use as source material the letters written by the subjects and their contemporaries. I am frequently astonished by, and envious of, their ability to express themselves in their letters to loved ones and associates. Stoddard's book is an introduction to following in their footsteps. It is less formulaic than it is appreciative, but there are, nonetheless, abundant insights into letter writing. Stoddard writes movingly of the need for handwritten letters, the blessing that they are to recipients, and the perfect tools (pen and paper) for writing with dignity and elegance. As she says:
"A letter is a gift. It can turn a private moment into an exalted experience. Unlike the phone, a letter is never an interruption. A letter doesn't require immediate attention; it can be saved and savored for the appropriate time and place...[A] letter is a treat with no strings attached."
Stoddard's book has led me to find personal stationary, and to when and how to initiate correspondence with a number of people, both family and friends, in my life. That, too, is a gift.
March 23, 2015
Just the thing to read before hopping on a private jet to New York. The overall message of the book is to just get writing, which comes across convincingly. It is short to read, which is a plus.
One things I was not a fan of was the stationary stores she focuses on are are not practical for most people to visit (in New York, USA; London, England; or Paris, France). However, that deficiency was likely because the author lives in the United States and the book was published in 1990.
One things I was not a fan of was the stationary stores she focuses on are are not practical for most people to visit (in New York, USA; London, England; or Paris, France). However, that deficiency was likely because the author lives in the United States and the book was published in 1990.
October 29, 2010
Such a sweet and lovely little book about correspondence. I read it for the first time in high school - maybe even junior high - and it made a tremendous impression on wee aesthete E. I may actually be able to blame my paper habit in its entirety on Alexandra Stoddard.
April 28, 2014
It's a book that gives you inspiration to sit down and write a letter. There are a few examples of letters written by famous people to get you into writing. It is not a book on how to write a letter. Alexandra also goes into her personal letter writing examples. I found it funny that postage has changed quite a bit since this book was written, 25 cents. I miss that.
March 5, 2009
Letter-writing has been one of my joys since I was a young teenager. Alexandra Stoddard's book celebrates the tools of letter-writing - the fountain pens, the ink, the stamps on the envelope - and the sheer wonder of touching another person with your words and your loving intent.
June 10, 2012
This book has revived my enthusiasm for writing letters. I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a reason to start writing or to continue writing letters. It truly makes all the difference to a person.
November 29, 2008
Great book that reminds us of the gift of corresponding by letter. Truly in this day of email, and internet and cell phones, a hand written letter is a gift!
September 11, 2009
I LOVED this book because it makes communicating by the written word fun, interesting, thoughtful and hopefully, habitual.
June 27, 2012
Really enjoyed this, touched me . Wish people still wrote letters like they used to.
July 3, 2014
Perfectly delightful and enchanting indeed.
January 21, 2012
Love it. Use it often as a reference tool. Love Alexandra Stoddard!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews