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Letters Between Us

Linda Rader Overman
Plain View Press (2008)
ISBN 9781891386626
Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads (8/08)

“Letters Between Us” begins at the end, with a Santa Barbara Herald newspaper article chronicling the death of 39-year-old Katharine Taylor Fields whose body was found in a dumpster at the Cold Spring Tavern Inn.  Katharine’s friend, Laura Wells, learns of the death through Katharine’s estranged husband David.  Katharine had been a patient at the Santa Barbara Psychiatric hospital for the past eight months, had just disappeared, and then was found dead.  After attending the memorial services, Laura visit’s David’s house and he gives her “a brown cardboard box with some of Katharine’s mementos from childhood.” (p. 19) 

It turns out that both of them had saved the letters written between them, Katharine’s even dated back to 8th grade.  Laura holes herself up at the Vista del Mar Inn and after having her husband send her own box of saved letters she is intent on reading through all of them.  This is the form in which the story is written, a series of letters back and forth, interjected with journal entries and Laura’s memories.

Following Laura’s journey of discovery and remembrance makes for an interesting narrative.  I love the way that Overman uses the letters to piece together the story and while doing so paints a clear picture of the two main character’s lives.  I also enjoyed the inclusion of the historical events and pop culture references that were a part of the era in which the story took place.  Katharine and Laura keeping pace with the world around them gives a feel of authenticity to the book. 

Although I had an advance reader copy without the final cover, I did see a picture of the cover of the book on the author’s website and absolutely love it.  I think that it is perfectly fitting of the storyline and gives the reader a clear picture of exactly what the book is about.  “Letters Between Us” is an engaging, easy-to-read novel, written in a unique form.   I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys women’s fiction, stories of friendship and family, and to anyone who came of age during the 60’s and 70’s.

     

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