Dear Reader,
I began penning this letter as soon as I finished The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society. Have you read it? If not, I highly recommend it! And you may want to stop reading and pick this up again when you’ve finished. I will not reveal any spoilers, but if you’re one who’d rather read something with completely fresh eyes and nothing else influencing you as you read, I suggest stopping now. If you have no intention of reading it (or have already done so), by all means, read on! I reveal my initial reaction, along with further thoughts and feelings below.
What a delight! I could not put this book down and even grew sad as I began nearing the end, knowing it would all be over soon. But the ending? As lovely as ever. I feel I will repeatedly gush about this novel, so let the gushing commence.
First and foremost, I loved the way people talked back then (the book takes place in 1946). And the letter format makes it seem all the more personal. Not only do I love the idea of letter writing, but I am proud to say that I actually write them. Granted, they are mostly handwritten love letters to my husband, but still…they count. And although it is a typed, semi-mass “publication” mailed to multiple people, the Adamson family Christmas letter is still just that – a letter. Fellow letter writers, you will absolutely appreciate the unique format of this book. And for those who are not, this book may well inspire you to begin doing so.
Among other things, this novel made me want to book a trip to England at once! Which is likely why I promptly suggested to Scott that we end our R&R trip in the Cotswolds after visiting Iceland in January. I now want to name my future daughter Juliet or my future son Dawsey, causing me to revisit the names Scott and I already have planned out. And I want to write even more! I need to put my thoughts down on paper while I have this gift of time off from work. I don’t want to look back at the end of this assignment wishing I had.
Aside from writing, this book makes me want to dive into the classics and simply read and read and read some more. I find myself wishing for snow days this December to have the perfect excuse to hole up with a book for a few hours this winter (as if we need an excuse to spend our time reading). This is definitely a book for book-lovers! And especially those who adore historical fiction that takes place during World War II (my favorite genre).
I love that the more you read, the more you experience and the more you learn, the more references you will pick up and understand in books, movies and conversations. I get excited when I am genuinely familiar with a topic or an event an author addresses; it is like a gifted bonus that not everyone may pick up on. I learned about Ravensbrück (the concentration camp where Elizabeth was sent) from reading Lilac Girls and knew of St. Malo because of All the Light You Cannot See. Guernsey felt all the more special given that I read both of those novels this year.
Since moving to Germany, I have become increasingly aware of the always-on culture in American society. While I took notice of this in St. Louis and made strides to combat it in small ways in my own life, I was still very much in it and part of it. With the slower pace of life over here, I feel mostly removed from it or at least far enough away to observe from a safe distance. This book reminded me of that and pointed out stark contrasts between the time period the book took place and the present day.
While it is a gift that we can text, email and FaceTime from practically anywhere in the world [and one that I treasure – especially since my husband’s job often takes him far from me], I find myself cursing it at the same time. In 1946, friends communicated through letters or telegrams, sometimes letting days pass before penning a response. Today, people can see when their text or message on Facebook or Instagram has been read. Some have expressed hurt when friends don’t like an Instagram post. What if I didn’t see it? What if I decided to live full-time in the real world today in lieu of scrolling through the digital one? I am by no means against technology. How else would you be reading this? Rather, I want to be more intentional in how I use it.
When I use it in a healthy way, technology and more specifically, Instagram, serves as a place where I am inspired. I look to it for recipes, fitness tips and travel ideas. It may also help me discover that a friend of a friend in my new town shares similar interests and I am able to reach out. In each of these ways, the digital space is amplifying my real life. Small doses of screen time positively impact the rest of the day. I must remember these are merely tools that should only be used to enhance my in-person life.
I could go on, but I’ll digress. 😉
I also love the emphasis on gathering in this novel. Despite great hardship and in the face of war, the society gathered – even raising Kit as a group during the occupation. When the Nazis attempted to dehumanize the women at Ravensbrück in every way they knew how, it was Remy’s friendship with Elizabeth that made her feel human.
There are certainly benefits of alone time, but that shouldn’t be constant. Life’s rhythms should be rooted in gathering and being part of a larger community.
And gathering can be as simple as a shared meal. It is amazing what a shared meal can do for the soul. Yet, I find that I hold myself back from inviting people over because our seating arrangement isn’t ideal, or I don’t love how certain rooms in our home are decorated or not decorated. And I have the ability to cook a meal that is not limited by post-war rations! I need to remember that hospitality is about so much more than what hangs on my walls and go ahead and host a dinner party or two.
Finally, without spoiling (I still haven’t spoken to the girl who spoiled the big event in the sixth Harry Potter book for me), I can absolutely relate to the ending which makes this book all the dearer to me.
I recently learned of an Icelandic Christmas Eve tradition. Friends and family members exchange books on Christmas Eve and spend the holidays curled up reading their new gifts. I wish I could gift you all this book!
Yours ever,
Jessica
Reisen, Abenteuer, und Love. 