The Love Letters (edition 1983)

Aah, I have to say that I much prefer her other books. I like the idea of this, but I think that Rumer Godden did it better in In This House of Brede. [March 2011] ( )

Uneven with generally unlikable characters. ( )

Once again Madeleine does not disappoint me. I think if I am truthful part of the reason I did not finish this book when I initially started it was because I wasn't really ready for it. This has happened with me before. I pick up a book, find that I am bored by it and I put it away waiting for the time when I'll pick it up again and will no longer be bored for it. This time finally came this summer.

I think what I loved about this is definitely the aspect of it that is fairly unique - the two interwoven stories and the messages that are captured within each one. As we read through Mariana's story we are pulled into the present by Charlotte's story running parallel to Mariana's. I think it's the range of the emotions that moved me into the story and perhaps too simply the reminders of what is important in life.

Madeliene L'Engle reminds me in nearly every book of hers that I pick up how I want to live. I somehow generally come to the conclusion that there is a form of Christianity that comes through within her writing that is so basic and essential that I do not really want to try anything else. It's the same Christianity discussed in The Celtic Way of Prayer and I am drawn to the simplicity of thinking and yet realise that it is not truly simplistic and that to live with that inner peace and calm throughout all of the difficulties, uncertainties, and discrepancies that life may throw at you is anything but simple. I believe it's referred to in The Celtic Way of Prayer as peregino (I'm not certain I've got that spelled correctly but I don't have the book on hand to reference and spell check) a type of journeying that requires a calm inner core.

Madeleine L'Engle refers to this some in Love Letters, pulling back around to it as the book reaches the end and as I read this I was reminded once more of my own goals for my life.

Although this title is not perhaps as dynamic or showy as some of L'Engle's works, it is beautifully done and portrays amongst everything else L'Engle's ideas on marriage and love, which is something I can deeply appreciate. There is much in it that I agree with. ( )