Lost Letter

by Sandra Mulligan, Neil Mulligan, Glenn Herdling

The newly wed Jimmy and Maggie McDougal learn the news of Maggie's pregnancy just weeks after Jimmy is called to duty in World War II. Frequent letters and their deep love for one another provide comfort while they are apart. But, suddenly, Jimmy's letters to Maggie cease and the Army confirms the worst of her fears. Alone, Maggie raises their daughter, Mary, who never knows her father. Some sixty years later, Maggie is diagnosed with a terminal illness and eventually moves in with Mary, who becomes her caretaker. At about the same time that Maggie learns of her diagnosis, the Army, during a base closure, discovers a World War II letter addressed to her. While Mary is coping with a dying mother, a demanding job and trying to learn as much as possible about the father she never knew, the Army is searching for the intended recipient of the World War II letter. Will Maggie succumb to her illness before the Lost Letter reaches her?

Genres: Historical Fiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 24, 2009

Reviews

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are three major themes explored in this story:
*Love and loss
*Mother and daughter relationship between Maggie and Mary
*The care of a terminally ill person, or more importantly, a parent.

Mulligan does an excellent job at picking through the complex layers of all three themes. He brought my emotions to the surface many times throughout this story. Regarding love and loss, we have Maggie and her husband Jimmy, who was killed towards the end of WWII. We learn of their deep love through Maggie's stories about their childhood and adolescence together. Maggie tells Mary all of this because I think she finally accepts that she is dying, and it's one of the last things she can give her daughter.

The relationship between Maggie and Mary is complex as well. Both women are strong and fiercely independent. They value both their own and each other's need for space and privacy. They are also a bit reserved when it comes to expressing their feelings for one another. However, both ladies are able to put their tendencies to the side, since Maggie is terminal and has very precious time left. Maggie must move in with Mary, and although it isn't easy at first, they both realize this time together is a precious gift. The ability to spend every moment together until the end, is something to treasure.

With respect to caring for and dealing with a terminally ill person, Mulligan again brings the reader right into the story. Mulligan either did his homework or unfortunately went through this experience himself. Hopefully it's the former. All of the decisions and paperwork can be mind numbing, and as quickly as events happen, is as quickly as it is over. Advance directives people!

In the background of all of this, is the story of the lost letter. What happened? What does it contain? Will Maggie get it in time, before she passes? Sorry, but I'm not going to give you the answers, but I'm sure you can figure it out. Mulligan also describes Jimmy's experiences in the army. It is not pretty folks and you should thank anyone who goes to war and survives.

My only issue with the book was the writing was a bit off. The beginning felt choppy and clipped, if that makes any sense. Occasionally, it also felt as though continuity was missing. I may not be explaining it very well, but obviously it wasn't bad enough to deter me from finishing the story.

Overall, this was a very emotional read for me. I have dealt with a terminally family member, so some sections were tougher than others. I would recommend having a tissue or two on hand.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just won this book! Thank you Goodreads! Lost Letter is a moving and emotional love story taking place in both 1940s and present time. Mary, who has just made partner in her law firm, learns tht her 77 year old mother, Maggie, is dying of pancreatic cancer. As she struggles to cope with this news she talks her mother into moving in with her for home care. As the story goes back and forth in time we read about the mother-daughter relationship and Maggies's love for Jimmy who is Mary's father. When the lost letter, written 60 years ago by Jimmy, is found and put into the hands of dying Maggie I was crying and happy at the same time. I guess I was more involved in the characters than I thought!

In general I thought the writing was a bit choppy however the story was definitely interesting and captivating.

[Neil Mulligan · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOST LETTER
by Neil Mulligan

RT Rating: 4½ Stars
Category: MAINSTREAM FICTION
Publisher: BOOKSURGE
Published: March 2009
Type: Mainstream Fiction

Mulligan's stunning debut is impossible to put down. Using a series of flashbacks, it tells a beautiful love story and builds to a dramatic conclusion that touches the heart and soul.

Summary: When Mary's mother, Maggie, reveals that she has cancer and only a short time to live, Mary helps her prepare for her last days. During this time, she learns much about her father, who died before she was born.

Jimmy loved Maggie since first grade. It was natural for them to get married before he shipped out, and he prayed their wedding night would result in a baby. He gives his last letter for his beloved wife to his CO, but it doesn't surface again for 60 years. Will it reach Maggie in time? (BOOKSURGE, Mar., 380 pp., $16.99)

—Donna M. Brown

[Cristyn]

Won this on Goodreads First Reads Giveaway....Thanks!

[Stephanie *Spunky Avenger* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little hard to read, but it is such a touching story. I cried through most of it.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an incredibly hard book to give a rating to. For the first 2/3 of the book, I would have given it 1 star. The last 1/3 of the book would get 5 stars. So, 3 seemed appropriate.

I was super excited to read this book; the back cover description sounded like perfection! Early on in the book, I couldn't help but notice the typos on nearly every other page. Spaces being left out between words, bold typing where it shouldn't have been, etc. Not to mention the main character being a woman- vs. the author who is a man... it just didn't jive in my opinion. The book was full of odd descriptions using wording that seemed very elementary to me. (Please keep in mind I'm in no way a big "vocabulary buff" either.)

Then.... when I could almost take no more and was ready to give up on it, it finally picked up and got really good. The same typos were still present, but were easily overlooked at that point in the story. The ending was heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. Brought tears to my eyes.

So, all in all, a frustrating yet worthwhile read.

[Wendy · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you have any concern whatsoever of ever having to take care of a dying loved one DO NOT READ THIS BOOK. It was well written (though why do I ALWAYS find typos?!?!?!) but so depressing. Save yourself - just don't read it. And it's sort of sad for the author because the subject is just too depressing.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice story about a mother and daughter's relationship while the mother is facing a terminal illness. We are giving a 'play by play' account of what she endures. The Lost letter plays a minor roll in the story even though it is the title of the book. I was disappointed in that it didn't have a bigger part.

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved this story, and it was difficult to read because it was so sad and hit very close to home with the mother figure being sick with cancer. However the writing was boring and I didn't enjoy the writing style of this author at all.