Letters to a Stranger by Sarah Mitchell
Genre: Historical fiction, Dual timeline, Contemporary fiction, WW2
Read: 18th March 2023
Published: 9th March 2023
★★★★★ 5 stars
DESCRIPTION:
Dearest E. I thought of you today, like I do every day. I hope you are safe. I’m scared that you are not. And that it’s all my fault. But know this forever – I love you. R. x
It is summer 1939 and, even in rural Norfolk, no one can ignore the fact that the world is on the brink of war. But seventeen-year-old Ruby is trying her best to. She’s young, she’s beautiful, and she’s in love – with her childhood sweetheart Edmondo. She wants to close her eyes to her parents’ fear, her brother’s determination to sign up, and the sudden mistrust from the people in her village towards Edmondo’s Italian family…
But then everything changes. And Ruby makes a decision that will mean she has to keep a secret from everyone she knows, maybe forever…
Until, eighty years later in spring 2020, she finds herself, as an elderly woman, taking part in a letter-writing scheme. It’s simply meant to stave off boredom, but when she begins corresponding with a total stranger – a young single mother named Cassie – an unexpected and beautiful friendship develops. And Ruby realises she has a chance to share that secret – before it dies with her.
But Ruby and Cassie’s lives are connected in ways they could never have imagined. And, as letters fly between them, truths will be revealed. Truths with the power to either destroy their new friendship, or give both women the chance to change their lives forever…
This totally gripping and irresistible story of wartime love and heartbreak will capture the imagination of readers who love Lorna Cook, Fiona Valpy and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.
MY THOUGHTS:
Dear Reader,
What a beautiful, heartbreaking and yet heartwarming tale! I stayed up in the wee hours of the morning just to finish this as I didn't want to put it down. It has to be one of the best books I've had the pleasure to read. It is so unique in style and format, told in the form of letters and diary entries, emails and text messages that it gives the reader a glimpse into the lives of the writer in a way that seems so private it is almost voyeuristic. We are taken on a journey throughout the ensuing messages between the parties and we miss out on nothing.
LETTERS TO A STRANGER is a dual timeline tale that is cleverly woven in which the author is adept enough to leave nothing to the imagination as we are given a complete picture in such a unique narrative. It is such a personal style that it makes the reader feel as if the letters are written to us as the writer unveils their hopes, dreams, fears and overall impressions. You may think you would miss out in the various nuances that the usual format would provide but, believe me, you don't. Mitchell has very cleverly woven every nuance into each of the narratives that should we miss them at first, they are revealed to us further on. It is the second book in a row that I have read in such a format with the previous one being a psychological thriller and much different in content, but still very cleverly done.
Cassie is a twenty eight year old mother of six year old Noah who, we soon learn, has been ill though with what exactly isn't revealed until later but what we do glean from the little Cassie reveals in her messages is that it was serious. Serious enough for her to pack up in the dead of night at 2am, bundle Noah and their belongings into her car and make the five hour long journey to sleepy Norfolk at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. Despite being in lockdown, Cassie breaks the rules by travelling to the remote area by the sea in an attempt to keep her vulnerable son safe. Should he contract the dreaded virus, his body may not be able to fight it or survive.
It is while they are staying in this little caravan on the Norfolk coast that her partner Stuart forwards on some mail, one of which details a letter writing scheme between students and residents of a local nursing home. Cassie is puzzled as Noah hasn't the ability to maintain a pen-pal programme, having missed so much school, but fearing the recipient awaiting his reply may feel somewhat left out should they not receive one, Cassie decides to respond in his place. And so begins the narrative between the two women as they each form a bond with the other.
Ruby is 96 years old and has lived a fulfilling life despite the heartache of the war years, now seemingly such a distant memory but with it a guilt that is real as it was yesterday. She begins exchanging letters with Cassie as they each slowly reveal parts of their lives to one another in what turns out to be a cathartic experience for both women. While her letters to Cassie are in the present, she decides to send Cassie letters and diary entries dated 1939 and 1940 which then tell her story in the past.
Seventeen year old Ruby lives in a Norfolk village and has been stepping out with Edmondo, whose family run the local grocery shop, for the past year. No one has had a problem with this...until war broke out and it soon became clear that Mussolini (Italy's fascist leader) would side with Germany, thus making them clear enemies of Britain. Despite the fact Edmondo was born and raised in Britain, nor that his family had lived here since the end of the Great War. Suddenly they were seen as enemy aliens and soon found themselves targeted. Ruby, a highly intelligent young woman who had dreams of going to Cambridge to study science, soon found herself in the most awkward of positions. Especially when she was placed there by someone very close to her who held the promise and the power to change her life. But could be betray those she loved?
Such a unique and creative way of telling a story, the letters give us a peek inside the hearts and minds of these two women at their most vulnerable and the impact is heartwarming. I loved the little texts between Cassie and Stuart, Cassie and Austin then building to emails which soon also become letters. While some of the texts were short and to the point, we are still able to see the bigger picture that is being painted around it...it is all so very clever.
LETTERS TO A STRANGER bring back the dying art of letter writing. There really is nothing like receiving a letter that someone has taken the time to write to you. These days it's all about text messages and chats, even email has been left in social media's wake. There is nothing quite so personal as an actual letter. I can go days without anything ever being delivered in my mailbox which is quite sad. And then when I do, it's political or advertising leaflets. Even utility bills are online now! That's what makes this book so special. So heartfelt.
I was intrigued by the premise but I never envisioned the format the story took or how invested I would become in each of the characters' stories. I loved every single minute of this book that I never wanted it to end. But when it did, everything was woven together seamlessly to give us a more than satisfactory conclusion and leaving us with the tendrils of those emotions firmly wrapped around our hearts. It is one of the most endearing and beautiful stories I have read. My only complaint was that the anonymous writer was never revealed. I would have been interested to discover who that may have been...but in the grand scheme of things, it was of little importance anyway.
I did find a few inconsistencies, mostly editting issues with the wrong date applied or a change in name, but the biggest I found was with Ruby's age. At the beginning of the war we learn that she is 17 years old. And yet in 2020, she is 96...when in actual fact, her age would have been 98. Maths isn't my strong point but the only reason I know this is she was the same age as my grandmother in 1939 and therefore would have been born in 1922.
The other thing of note was that this book tackled the pandemic and lockdown, and the emotions that ran high amongst everyone at the time. And while COVID does feature in part, it is the focus on lockdown being something of a blessing in disguise. It enables those involved to discover, or re-discover, the art of letter writing and really seeing the world around us and counting our every blessing.
There are many things that come to light through the course of what is said, and what isn't said, that I did pick up on a few clues here and there. Some reveals that came weren't a surprise but the final one was a lovely one to savour. It was indeed a most beautiful, heartbreaking and heartwarming tale that both sweeping and all-encompassing.
Overall, LETTERS TO A STRANGER is a wonderful sweeping tale that delivers a beautifully happy ending. A well deserved 5 stars. If I could give more, I would.
Love
Stina
PS...I would like to thank #SarahMitchell, #Netgalley and #Bookouture for an ARC of #LettersToAStranger in exchange for an honest review.
PPS...This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
MEET THE AUTHOR:
Her debut novel, THE LOST LETTERS, was inspired by her parents’ experiences in the Second World War and her desire to explore the heart-breaking impact of the war on women and children. By contrast, THE COUPLE is a dark psychological thriller that twins themes of right and wrong with the age-old complication of an all-consuming past love.
Her third novel, THE ENGLISH GIRL is a story inspired by an incredible true love story, a beautiful, sweeping tale of hope, courage and heart-breaking choices.
Now, her fourth novel, LETTERS TO A STRANGER, explores themes of love, betrayal and redemption, through the eyes of young Ruby Summers who is forced to make an impossible decision when Italy joins the Second World War and her village turns against the love of her life.
Sarah and her husband now live in beautiful North Norfolk with three almost-grown-up children, an extremely affectionate dog and a horse called Joey - where she combines writing with some legal work – and thanking her enormous number of lucky stars.
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