35 Letters:
Letters from a Mother to her Son
Her name is Mildred, or Mom. His name is Gordon, or Son. They haven’t spoken in three years. This is their story.
“35 Letters” is a compilation of found letters written by a mother to her absent son. Spanning from 1972 to the spring of 1980, these letters offer insight into the world of a wife and mother who is trying desperately to keep her life on track and family intact. Her words are sometimes kind, sometimes harsh, and oftentimes laced with guilt. Through the relaying of gossip and current affairs, she struggles to hold onto her mother-son relationship, while at the same time sharing her fears and giving us a small glimpse into her mental standing.
For those who did not live during the 70's, these letters will offer up moving stories and settings that are entertaining as well as educational. In reading each letter, the story builds and you will come to realize that life wasn't necessarily easy in small town America, even for a religiously devout woman. Although fictitious, the letters tell an engaging story and give the reader a sense of being part of the writer’s family.
This book was recommended by a friend who thought I might like it. She was right. I read it and WOW! It was like the writer had researched my life an put it in writing. My story is a little different in that I was raised in a small town in Missouri (not Texas) and when I left I went to NYC and not San Francisco. Also my story unfolded in the nineties instead of the seventies. Other than that it could have been written about me. When I came out my dad pretty much disowned me and told me to leave. Like the Gordon character in the book, my mom did not come to my defense. She just pretended that nothing had changed and that this was between me and my dad. It was several years before I had contact with my family again. I would DEFINITELY recommend this book to anyone who feels they don't fit in with the norm. I'd also recommend it to parents who don't understand that their children can't be forced to be someone that they're not.
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