You can’t believe anything said in wartime. Emotions are as fleeting as a quiet night.
(from Letters From Skye)
Letters From Skye is a sweet love story set during both the First and Second World Wars and told entirely through letters. The book centers on the correspondence between Elspeth Dunn, a poet who has never ventured beyond her home on Scotland’s Isle of Skye, and David Graham, a college student from Illinois. A fan letter from David sparks a friendship that blossoms into love, but there are roadblocks to their happiness, including David’s decision to serve as an ambulance driver in France during World War I.
The novel alternates between Elspeth and David’s letters and those sent by Elspeth’s daughter, Margaret, in 1940. Her mother has always been tight-lipped about her past, but Margaret didn’t realize the extent of her secrets until Elspeth disappears following a bombing raid on their Edinburgh home and Margaret’s announcement that she is engaged to an RAF pilot. Elspeth knows the dangers of giving your heart away during the chaos of war, and the memories of the first war come flooding back. Margaret begins a correspondence with her long lost uncle, Finlay, in order to learn the truth about her mother.
Despite being overly sentimental at times, I couldn’t help but love this book. I loved the characters, from the conflicted and passionate Elspeth and the fearless and sweet Davey to the curious and feisty Margaret. Jessica Brockmole manages through letters to not only create believable characters, but she also paints a beautiful picture of the landscape of Skye and evokes the worry and desperation that become so commonplace during wartime. I was invested in the story from the first letter, and Brockmole’s pacing was so good, I was on the edge of my seat even when I was pretty sure how it would all play out.
I usually prefer a little more history and depth in wartime romances, but Letters From Skye made up for it with relatable, endearing characters, family secrets, and of course, the lost art of letter writing. Brockmole emphasizes the difficult choices made during wartime and shows how a simple letter can bind people together forever and turn someone’s world upside down in a single moment.
Thanks to TLC Book Tours for having me on Letters From Skye tour. To follow the tour, click here.
Disclosure: I received Letters From Skye from Ballantine Books for review.
© 2013 Anna Horner of Diary of an Eccentric. All Rights Reserved. Please do not reproduce or republish content without permission.
Anna: This one has been in my TBR pile for a while now. Your thoughtful review has encouraged me to move it farther to the top. Thanks—and Cheers! BCC
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I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
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Yes I’d read it
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Yay!
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I really loved this one.
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There was just something about this book. I just ate it up.
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I’ve seen a few reviews about this book, now I want to read it even more. It sounds great! And I like how it spans through both World Wars. Now, to wait on the library hold list!
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I hope you enjoy it! I wish there had been more of the WWII story with Margaret, but Elspeth’s story was so good, I could forgive that.
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I love epistolary novels and can’t wait to explore this one!
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Hope you love it! There’s something so appealing about epistolary novels.
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Letter writing is a lost art, and I think that’s why more and more books in this format are becoming popular. Thanks for a great review. Makes me want to read this book now.
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I especially love epistolary novels set during wartime.
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I loved this book! I was lucky enough to snag the audio from my library Anna and it was awesome. I was surprised how easy it was to become so drawn into this novel with it being told in letters.
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I’d be curious about the audio, especially it being letters. Glad you loved it, too!
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So many great reviews for this book! I love that it’s told through letters.
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I think that was a great move on the part of the author. I can’t imagine the story being told any other way.
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I can’t wait to read it – great review!
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Thanks, Mary!
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Would be a perfect addition to the Reading Scotland Challenge too!
glad to hear it was so good 😉
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I had no idea there was a Reading Scotland Challenge! I. must. stop. myself. 😉
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This sounds like a perfect read for a rainy summer weekend!
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Definitely!
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This book sounds fascinating and beautiful, Anna. I’m happy to know you really enjoyed it. As a woman who believes letter writing and written correspondence is a lost art as well as one of the better ways to talk with and bond with friends and family, this book certainly speaks to me.
I enjoyed your fantastic review and, as often when I read your reviews, which I missed very much, this book is going on my tbr list!
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Thanks, Amy! I’ve missed you! 🙂
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[…] Wednesday, July 17th: Diary of an Eccentric […]
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“relatable, endearing characters” really make a book work for me no matter what else is going on. And I LOVE epistolary novels so this one is sure to be a hit with me!
Thanks for being on the tour Anna.
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Thanks, Heather!
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This sounds absolutely lovely! I will have to move it up my TBR pile.
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I can’t wait to see what you think of it!
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This is one that I’m sure I would really enjoy. I love your review of it!
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Thanks, Staci!
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This looks sweet.
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It is, for sure! 🙂
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