I recently read Van Praag’s The Witches of Cambridge and very much enjoyed it. I loved the way that this author added magical elements to a story with characters with whom I enjoyed spending time. Once I read that, I vowed to read more by this author. The Lost Art of Letter Writing fully met my expectations and I definitely recommend it. There are again elements that require suspension of disbelief while adding depth to the story.
In this novel, readers meet a number of characters. First off is Clara. She owns a special shop with everything a person could possibly need to write a beautiful letter, whether or not they choose to send it. Clara too writes letters with the special pen left to her by her grandfather. She does not necessarily know the recipients but has seen them in Cambridge. One of the people to receive Clara’s letters is a widower who is raising a teen. Readers may be surprised to see what happens to him and will wonder about what it means to have a wish fulfilled.
Readers also meet a young woman who can foresee the bad that may become someone and a young man who is preternaturally talented in his music. They also will meet a ghost.
Around these character’s intersecting stories is the story of the letters that change Clara’s life. She goes to Amsterdam to get them translated and meets another important character there.
The stories of all of these people overlap in places. I cared for everyone and loved this story. By the way, I also loved this book’s cover.
Have you read anything by Van Praag? What did you think?
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 