Review: Nothing compares to what this book did to me...
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 05 25, 2012
Let me state first, since this book is about an affair, that I personally have never had one, so if you are thinking only an adulterer could relate to this story you are dead wrong. My goodness, where to begin? Letters to My Mother was a book I knew I had to finish the moment I finished the prologue. I read it in a day and by this last half I could barely breathe. There were so many ways it could have ended and I had no idea of how it would. I sobbed through the last 30% and I am not someone who normally cries over books, but like I said...sobbed (That doesn't mean there isn't a happy ending...or maybe it does...I'm not telling and different people will see it different ways). The writing...absolutely breathtaking at parts. Ms. Heath is an inspirational wordsmith. The topic, yes taboo. The love, absolutely, heart wrenching and unforgettable. I only read romance, typically with some erotic elements. This was emotionally erotic, but not hot, so if you are looking for graphic sex scenes, sorry. It was real. So real in its telling I wondered if it was true. I was so touched by this book on levels I liked and levels I found upsetting that I wanted to write Ms. Heath and tell her so and compliment her work, but could not find an address. I did find her bio though, where she states she didn't submit this the traditional way because she wanted to tell the story the way it was meant to be told. Now, normally I find "explanations" for books published the nontraditional way, but absolutely not in this case. The crime here is that this book will likely not get the recognition it deserves (I hope I'm wrong). If you ask me...it has best seller written all over it. Not because it was forced into a happily ever after, or because it didn't stray into taboo...this book leaves each reader to draw their own conclusions. I drew mine. I will say I think this book is up there with The Notebook, The Time Traveler's Wife, and other present day classics. Outstanding, unforgettable read...even with the unpleasant truths the author wasn't afraid to tell. Beautiful work, Ms. Heath. I wish you much success.