By conservative estimates, more than 6.8 million out of earth's population of 7 billion have access to cell phones. This has happened in just over 20 years. It's safe to assume that almost all these people would prefer to communicate via their phones rather than by snail-mail, post or courier. Which leads us to the question: “Does this mean the death of the love letter?”
For those of us who still remember the joys of receiving and sending romantic epistles, couched in purple prose, expressing our deepest feelings, these little messages were the most delightful way of keeping in touch with those we loved. The Love Letter Collection 2008 by Various takes us back to a more gentle and genteel time, when we used our imagination and creativity to convey our thoughts and weren't compelled to use ugly abbreviations or acronyms, neither were we restricted to 140 characters! Receiving a handwritten letter which could be read and re-read at leisure was an experience that can never be matched by a mere e-mail or a text message!
In this collection we find Abigail Adams, the wife of the second president and the mother of the sixth president of the United States of America, writing to her husband John Adams while he was in Philadelphia during the Continental Congresses in 1774. She wrote nearly 1200 letters to him, which are remarkable for their frankness, intimacy and literary skill though she was a self-educated woman.
From Don Felipe to Louise is a letter taken from Honore de Balzac's epistolatory novel Letters of Two Brides. Published in 1842, this book tells the story of two young women who meet in a convent and later go on to pursue different paths in life. One of them, Louise, falls in love with a Spanish aristocrat and this is one of the ardent letters he writes to her, expressing his passion.
Eliza Cook's poem Don't Tell the World you're waiting for Me is a lover's gentle protest against his beloved's reluctance to make a commitment.
The letter of Heloise to Abelard recalls one of the most famous, passionate and tragic love stories in the world. The tale is nearly a thousand years old, but still shines like a beacon for lovers everywhere. The poignant chronicle of the 12th century philosopher Abelard and his young and beautiful student Heloise which scandalized society at that time is brought to life in this charming letter.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning and Beethoven are other romantic letter writers featured in this collection along with lesser known scribes.
This compilation has letters written by the famous and not so famous and all of them are deeply moving, poignant reminders that emotions remain the same throughout the centuries. A charming collection for those who celebrate the sweet emotions of the heart!