BOOK BY: Kerry Barratt
The Book of Last Letters is a split time story focusing on a book of memories and last words of soldiers and hospital patients during the Second World War in London. Elsie is a nurse who wishes she knew the final words her brother had spoken before he died on the battlefield. As a way to honour his memory, and to prevent others having to wonder the same thing, Elsie starts a book of last letters at the hospital where she works. Patients are encouraged to write a note to their families, sketch, or write anything at all that will help ease their stay in the hospital or help them face the end of their lives.
In modern time, Stevie is an artist who walked away from her passion when her own family fell apart. When an art grant is offered for artists who will paint a mural about the past, Stevie rediscovers art. Stevie uses Elsie’s book as an inspiration for the mural.
This was an interesting read, with a variety of characters, though not too many that it was difficult to follow. Friendship is a huge theme within both the historical and contemporary stories. The heroines are quite similar – Stevie is a support worker to elderly patients and Elsie is a nurse. The setting of the story happens in the same spot – the London hospital which is eventually turned into a nursing home. There are a lot of connections that seamlessly weave the two timelines together.
The fears and anxieties of Elsie’s story are almost palpable, and readers can empathize with her choices she has to make. There are characters to love, and one character in particular to detest.
This is a general market book and not my usual inspirational fiction read, and as such, some content isn’t suitable for avid readers of inspirational fiction.
There are some scenes that sensitive readers may find disturbing (rape, assisted death).
I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.