OK, I wonder who knows where that line is from? (Ask your parents if they're over 40)
We've all been considering the art of letter writing recently. Coincidentally, I am reading a delightful novel called "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society". It is a novel told completely in letters, from a series of characters who become known to the reader through their correspondence with each other. Initially the reader knows only Janet and her literary agent, but we are introduced to a broad range of characters, all via correspondence. It is also an insight into the German occupation of the Channel Islands during WWII, which is fascinating in itself. It is set in post-WWII London, 1946. All correspondence, such as arranging a dinner date, is via letter, often several brief notes of just a word or two, sent throughout a day - very similar to how we text message today!
What would be the benefits of corresponding in this way? It seems quaint and charming, and I wonder what the drawbacks are - I can't think of any!
Hope you're all well and enjoying Spring, despite the RAIN.
JC
The Beatles.
ReplyDeleteI love that song, one of my favourites.
"Oh, yes, wait a minute Mr. postman, way..ay..ay..ait Mr. Postman.
Mr. Postman look and see, if there's a letter in your bag for me."
And, "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" sounds really intriguing, would you mind JC if I gave it a try?
I would think one of the main troubles with manual letter writing is no spell check and the inevitability of a mistake and then in turn a big, black, ugly scribble on your quaint notepaper. However, I must say there is something so special about receiving a wonderfully thoughtful letter.
So much better than a fading Facebook notification!
Ah the Beatles, trust you Elisha!
ReplyDeleteYes i agree "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" sounds really intriguing and letter writing is still such a beautiful and romantic way of communication.
There is something so exciting about receiving hard mail and it disappoints me that it only happens around the tie of birthdays and Christmas...
In saying this, as someone who confesses their TERRIBLE handwriting skills I applaud the invention of computers for helping me hide this.
However, i am happy to shift some of the blame for my appalling spelling ability to applications such as spell check! I leant nothing from having the machine constantly correct my mistakes (sometimes even without me asking it to) and it was all way to easy and accessible from a young age for me to learn bad habits!
Yesss the weather, so indecisive!
Bring on the sunshine I say!
Hope you’re feeling better JC, rest up and we hope to see you back soon :)
JR
JC, it is great to hear from you :)
ReplyDeleteAhh the Beatles, what a great band, and I agree, the novel sounds extremely interesting... Yet again anything that has to do with World War Two captivates me.
Well I completely agree with both Elisha and Jemma, spelling a word or sadly, words, incorrectly would be the main annoyance and disadvantage to corresponding in this manner. Nonetheless, to receive a written hand letter is endearing and heart warming, and maintains a strong correspondence to someone on a personal level. However, I must say, I cannot tell you the last time I received a hand written letter in the mail, besides wedding invitations, or Christmas cards and the occasional post card. I find that in my life, handwritten letters are a thing of the past, and are partially nonexistent. Thanks to such technological advancements, such as the computer, I, like Jemma, rely too much on spell check! But in saying that I worship electronic mail, as it is cheaper, easier- and much quicker than a hand written letter.
All the best JC, hope you are well- Hurry back... lit just isn’t the same without you!
Hey Guys,
ReplyDeleteYes, isn't letter writing so non-existent! I remember writing to my aunty when I was younger, and receiving a letter in the mail - I was on top of the world for a week! It seems as if we rely too much on convenience now, however; we want things and we want them now. I guess this does apply to correspondence. Like this blog - we want to talk, and we do it instantly.
Secondly, how sad it is that JC missed the Rilke session on Friday. I tried to make it appealing, and there was so much discussion. I felt very happy coming out of that room, with everyone taking home a little piece of Rilke. How strange it is too, to think of words we use so often can't help us desribe something as common and necessary for our existance - you guys said it, not me - as love?
Imagine the discussion had we only been able to communicate by letter! Would we have talked differently, or perhaps more succinctly?
Take care, and I can't wait to see you back JC. We miss the always passionate, fluent poem-reader very much!
Oh it's great to read such interesting thoughts about letter writing. Really, do you NEVER receive letters? That is sad. All of my girlfriends have meail addresses, and mobiles, and landlines, yet I communicate by letter to two of them in particular, and they respond likewise. I would strongly recomment "The Guernsey.." , having finished it and loved it - I fell in love with the characters and wanted to follwo their story. AND, in one very romantic story, a soldier presents his girlfriend with a book of Rilke's poems! Sorry I missed the session, Sarah - it has made me wonder if we should have a poetry lesson given by other girls, if anyone is interested or particularly passionate about a poet.
ReplyDeleteOne point I noticed about your comments about letter writing is about your spelling. Hand writing improves your spelling! When you are writing, giving yourself the time and space to concentrate on what you want to say to your friends, you WANT the spelling to be right, so you ask, or look it up in the dictionary.
So..... I have an idea. Please check your emessages.
Hope you're all looking forward to a lovely break, I'm thinking of you all.
JC
Hey all...
ReplyDeleteI keep in touch with an elderly friend of mine, Marg, through letters and I am always delighted to receive one in the mail. I talked about this topic with a friend on the bus trip home, who was studdened to hear that stamps prices had gone up from 50c to 55c to 60c. It just shows how out of touch some young people are from their post office, since the rise occured months ago. I too have horrible spelling, but what I find even more frustrating is that when writing in a word doc, the computer atomatically changes some things, and frequently gets it wrong.
Glad to hear you're well JC.
Georgia
hey there everyone, rose and me have had computer issues. But hey we are here on mine now!!!!! so yes bettles are lovely. and me (lyndel) i don't personally get many letters that are not bank stuff or work stuff, or government pestering me to register to vote. Birthday cards come alot in the mail. but very very rarely do i just recieve a letter. was pen pals with my cousin for a month once as she's always moving. But letter writting on my behalf never happens. the lives of everyone these days are too hectic for that simple pleasure. rose does recieve letters, usually from family members who live far away. she also once had a japanese pen pal up till 2 years ago. However the pen pal was older than her and slowly they lost touch.
ReplyDeletewell i hope everybody's holidays are going lovely. So keep on smiling. from rose and lyndel :):):):) :) :) :):) :) :)