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The Letters
Violet Ackerman has drifted through a career, four children and a divorce without ever knowing who she is or what she wants. After moving to the coast, she starts receiving a series of mysterious letters sent from a mother and baby home in 1959, written by a pregnant twenty-year-old Elizabeth to her best friend. These letters intersperse Violet's turbulent relationships with her lover, her infuriating son and the eccentric fellow members of the Village Committee. Who is sending Violet these letters, and why? What will happen to Elizabeth's baby? 'The Letters' invites us see what happens when we don't run away. Will love be enough to encourage Violet to stay?
416 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2009
3 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 7, 2012
Recently I read an excellent article by Jenni Russell posted here on Goodreads via The Guardian. It was about the experience of reading and the particular genre of novels that let us into others lives which are revelatory, wise and true. She discussed how these particular books help teach us how to live and demonstrate how people struggle to make their lives meaningful. She bemoaned that they are becoming harder and harder to find. Her sentiments resonated with me very strongly because these are exactly the kind of book that are my absolute favorites.
I believe Fiona Roberts to be an author that delivers exactly that. Her protagonist Violet in The Letters is quick to anger and has much to learn about how to communicate effectively. She has wandered through her life as a Wife, Mother, Scholar and Workaholic assuming she is happy. It is not until she falls in love in her 50's that she discovers she has much to learn. The process of her epiphany is well crafted and the unraveling of it comes as a bit of a shock (to the reader and Violet).
I really enjoyed the way Robyn describes such things as watching a cat clean, the presence of another in the house or the internal dialogue when with others. As with many books of this genre there is not loads of action but much perceptive observation of life and all its intricacy. I find this kind of read affirming to ones own life but jolly hard to review! If you say too much you give away the pleasure of discovery and the authors careful subtly throughout the story.
My one real criticism is the book cover! In no way does it connect to the reality of what you are reading, it is extremely misleading and off putting. This makes me wonder if this is why there are not more people reading her work. So don't let the publishers poor choice put you off discovering this wonderful author.
I believe Fiona Roberts to be an author that delivers exactly that. Her protagonist Violet in The Letters is quick to anger and has much to learn about how to communicate effectively. She has wandered through her life as a Wife, Mother, Scholar and Workaholic assuming she is happy. It is not until she falls in love in her 50's that she discovers she has much to learn. The process of her epiphany is well crafted and the unraveling of it comes as a bit of a shock (to the reader and Violet).
I really enjoyed the way Robyn describes such things as watching a cat clean, the presence of another in the house or the internal dialogue when with others. As with many books of this genre there is not loads of action but much perceptive observation of life and all its intricacy. I find this kind of read affirming to ones own life but jolly hard to review! If you say too much you give away the pleasure of discovery and the authors careful subtly throughout the story.
My one real criticism is the book cover! In no way does it connect to the reality of what you are reading, it is extremely misleading and off putting. This makes me wonder if this is why there are not more people reading her work. So don't let the publishers poor choice put you off discovering this wonderful author.
June 23, 2009
Review from my blog.
Yes I know publishers use the cover of a book as their primary method of targeting a specific readership. But I've never fielded so many, "Oh my god. What the hell are you reading, Michael?" and "Michael. You are reading a romance - what!!" as I did reading this. If I'd bumped into Violet (main character) while I had my head in this, she would have muttered something scathing about chick flicks or bloody Mills and Boon. I'm sure she would have been horrified to be a character in either and would probably have much preferred to be horribly murdered on page 33 of a Minette Walters detective novel. These headless women photos are just too redolent of pulp romance or even mail order catalogue to carry around in public. I think I could have lived with the compromise of a quirky though still misleading chick lit cover.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Fiona Robyn's other book The Blue Handbag. That book was well structured, with a mystery that developed along with the characters. The Letters doesn't seem to have much structure at all. It reads more like a prolonged character study, interspersed with some old letters that seem to have no connection to the narrative. They do have a connection but it is so obliquely hidden and largely ignored by Violet that it is hard to even care what it is. That's not to say the book isn't worth reading. Violet is an abrasive, impulsive, opinionated, sometimes volatile, though interesting character, who has a softer side hidden below all the brash bossiness, and she does have some stories to tell. Her relationship with her children, mainly her son, add a dash of amusement, as does the hopeless ensemble of the Village Committee, which kept giving me flashes of The Vicar of Dibley minus vicar and bottomless puddles.
Yes I know publishers use the cover of a book as their primary method of targeting a specific readership. But I've never fielded so many, "Oh my god. What the hell are you reading, Michael?" and "Michael. You are reading a romance - what!!" as I did reading this. If I'd bumped into Violet (main character) while I had my head in this, she would have muttered something scathing about chick flicks or bloody Mills and Boon. I'm sure she would have been horrified to be a character in either and would probably have much preferred to be horribly murdered on page 33 of a Minette Walters detective novel. These headless women photos are just too redolent of pulp romance or even mail order catalogue to carry around in public. I think I could have lived with the compromise of a quirky though still misleading chick lit cover.
I didn't enjoy this one as much as Fiona Robyn's other book The Blue Handbag. That book was well structured, with a mystery that developed along with the characters. The Letters doesn't seem to have much structure at all. It reads more like a prolonged character study, interspersed with some old letters that seem to have no connection to the narrative. They do have a connection but it is so obliquely hidden and largely ignored by Violet that it is hard to even care what it is. That's not to say the book isn't worth reading. Violet is an abrasive, impulsive, opinionated, sometimes volatile, though interesting character, who has a softer side hidden below all the brash bossiness, and she does have some stories to tell. Her relationship with her children, mainly her son, add a dash of amusement, as does the hopeless ensemble of the Village Committee, which kept giving me flashes of The Vicar of Dibley minus vicar and bottomless puddles.
November 8, 2009
Life changes. That is what Violet finds as she sets out in this story. After an illness and the break-up of her comfortable marriage, Violet moves to the shore for some rest and a change of pace. Little does she know how much her life will change. Once settled, Violet begins receiving letters dated 1959, from someone she doesn't know (Elizabeth), to someone she doesn't know (Bea). The letters pull her into a story of deceit, shame, and love. Who is sending the letters? Why is Violet receiving them? Violet has become involved in the community she lives in, even taking some art classes. There she meets Theresa. How does she fit into the picture?
As the letters continue to arrive, Violet finds that the problems she left behind continue to haunt her. Her son Guy moves back home in hopes of finding himself. Her daughters continue to be distant but do chat. Then there is a sudden change in her daughter Megan. What is the change and how did Violet get so distanced from her children? How does finding yourself help you to love deeper and stronger?
I really enjoyed reading this book, finding the story engaging and the characters likable. While I did figure out the plot before the end of the book, it was fun to trace the story. The only thing I didn't enjoy was when the time changed so quickly that it interrupted the flow of the story. But, once I got my bearings again, it moved right along. Thank you, Fiona, for another good read! =)
As the letters continue to arrive, Violet finds that the problems she left behind continue to haunt her. Her son Guy moves back home in hopes of finding himself. Her daughters continue to be distant but do chat. Then there is a sudden change in her daughter Megan. What is the change and how did Violet get so distanced from her children? How does finding yourself help you to love deeper and stronger?
I really enjoyed reading this book, finding the story engaging and the characters likable. While I did figure out the plot before the end of the book, it was fun to trace the story. The only thing I didn't enjoy was when the time changed so quickly that it interrupted the flow of the story. But, once I got my bearings again, it moved right along. Thank you, Fiona, for another good read! =)
February 26, 2009
A pleasing if bristly read. The central character Violet might rub you up the wrong way but you won’t forget her in a hurry!
A well structured novel, shifting back and forth through time, to give insight to how Violet came to be where she is today. Interspersed with intriguing letters from the past, which are revealed slowly but surely, increasing tension and interest throughout. And a final twist I wasn’t expecting until I tripped over it.
People with striking characters, young and old, and blazing with stunning descriptions throughout, a great start to a hopefully promising career.
For my full review, click here.
A well structured novel, shifting back and forth through time, to give insight to how Violet came to be where she is today. Interspersed with intriguing letters from the past, which are revealed slowly but surely, increasing tension and interest throughout. And a final twist I wasn’t expecting until I tripped over it.
People with striking characters, young and old, and blazing with stunning descriptions throughout, a great start to a hopefully promising career.
For my full review, click here.
November 22, 2009
I was lucky enough to meet Fiona Robyn when she came to town to read some of her poetry on a Tongues and Grooves evening.
Fiona's poetry is exquisite; the words are almost palpable, ripe, warm and juicy like blackberries eaten as fast as they can be picked off the sun warmed brambles.
Much to my delight her fiction has the same cadence...one which, to my mind, is reminiscent of Gregorian Monks chanting their prayers.
The Letters flings the reader up onto an edge of adrenaline fuelled frisson before dropping you into fur lined ruts where you could happily luxuriate forever.
There is a decadent syncopation to The Letters.
The Letters, published by the wonderful world of Snowbooks, is a treat from start to finish.
Fiona's poetry is exquisite; the words are almost palpable, ripe, warm and juicy like blackberries eaten as fast as they can be picked off the sun warmed brambles.
Much to my delight her fiction has the same cadence...one which, to my mind, is reminiscent of Gregorian Monks chanting their prayers.
The Letters flings the reader up onto an edge of adrenaline fuelled frisson before dropping you into fur lined ruts where you could happily luxuriate forever.
There is a decadent syncopation to The Letters.
The Letters, published by the wonderful world of Snowbooks, is a treat from start to finish.
March 31, 2015
Interesting portrayal of a very different character. If Violet was a child of today she would surely be classified as "a little further along the spectrum than most". Although I envy her ability to be detached from other people's anger and upset, it must be very confusing to be unable to decipher the intricate social interactions that we so often share in our facial expressions and our silences. Wouldn't mind giving her son a bit of a shake and tossing him out of the house though!
June 7, 2016
Confusing
There were a lot of story twists in the book. While they may have all been interesting separately together, the reader to has to reread pages in order to sort out the plot. I put it down five times but my stubbornness to read it through helped me get to the end. I'm afraid I would not recommend it.
There were a lot of story twists in the book. While they may have all been interesting separately together, the reader to has to reread pages in order to sort out the plot. I put it down five times but my stubbornness to read it through helped me get to the end. I'm afraid I would not recommend it.
March 8, 2011
I'm afraid I found this book dull, dull, dull. While Violets character is well formed and believable, the story just does not take off. Nothing happens. I found the letters enjoyable to read but I wish the whole story had been a little more exciting.
May 5, 2013
Halfway through the book and I still find there is no point to continue. Tried to keep reading hoping to find interest, but I can't help it anymore. Had to stop. There seems to be no story in there. Too much jumping from one point to the other, you lose track of the whole idea.
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July 3, 2012Good read. i like fiona's style of writing. Very descriptive. Will certainly read her other books all bought already
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews