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The Franzons #4
Dear Papa
Christian romance
191 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1963
2 people are currently reading
130 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
July 12, 2014
Three books by Thyra Ferre Bjorn were recommended to us by several people: Papa’s Wife, Papa’s Daughter, and Mama’s Way. Papa’s Wife is the story of a young woman named Maria Skogberg who comes to work at a small-town parsonage in Lapland, Sweden, and marries an older Swedish minister, Pontus Franzon; they have eight children and eventually emigrate to the United States. The plot is loosely based on the experiences of the author’s own parents and family. Papa’s Daughter continues with the life of their oldest daughter, Charlotta, known as Button, who marries, has a family, and becomes a noted speaker and author. It appears that the novel is semi-autobiographical. Mama’s Way is a collection of incidents that occurred during Mrs. Bjorn’s experiences of speaking and writing in which she applied the philosophy that she learned from Mama to help others with their problems. The three books have been published together as a Trilogy.
However, we recently learned that there was a fourth book in the series which we found at a used book sale. In Dear Papa, the children are all grown up with families of their own, and Mama is now a widow living in Miami, FL. Recovering from a heart attack, she decides to write Papa a letter, describing all that has happened to the family since his death and reminiscing about various humorous events from the days that are past. The Prologue brings the reader up to date by reviewing Mama’s proposal to Papa, the births of the children, and their life in America. The author says, “Although my stories are always based on fact, I don’t want my readers to take them too literally….I take so much fact and so much fiction and mix them long and carefully together in imagination’s big mixing bowl, until I myself cannot tell one from the other.” Delightful reading, it is sad at the end, yet there is a triumphant feeling.
However, we recently learned that there was a fourth book in the series which we found at a used book sale. In Dear Papa, the children are all grown up with families of their own, and Mama is now a widow living in Miami, FL. Recovering from a heart attack, she decides to write Papa a letter, describing all that has happened to the family since his death and reminiscing about various humorous events from the days that are past. The Prologue brings the reader up to date by reviewing Mama’s proposal to Papa, the births of the children, and their life in America. The author says, “Although my stories are always based on fact, I don’t want my readers to take them too literally….I take so much fact and so much fiction and mix them long and carefully together in imagination’s big mixing bowl, until I myself cannot tell one from the other.” Delightful reading, it is sad at the end, yet there is a triumphant feeling.
August 1, 2008
Not one of those "Oh wow! What a great book!" It was a nice little story, and well written. Probably a really good read for when you are sick and don't really want to concentrate on a lot of plot. However, Mama, the main character in the book is full of character. Just a sweet and loving lady. She would be a fun person to know in life.
August 20, 2011
Well written, but not much depth.
March 20, 2008
This book was so funny and sad at the same time because this character in this book is so into everything in life!
April 12, 2011
This was a very cute book. Fun for a relaxing read.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews