Readers' Comments for Letters From Skye

In June, a select group of readers who participated in one of our Women’s Fiction Author Spotlights won copies of LETTERS FROM SKYE by Jessica Brockmole. LETTERS FROM SKYE is Brockmole’s debut novel, an epistolary romance that spans several decades and two world wars --- as well as a testament to the power of love to overcome great adversity. Take a look at some of the readers’ comments for more insight into the story --- and make sure to watch out for spoilers!

Jennifer --- This comment contains SPOILERS!
I read LETTERS FROM SKYE in two days, if that's any indication of how much I enjoyed it. I didn't want to put it down! I think it helps that it’s written in epistolary style. Even though I feel like I have read similar stories before (84 and THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY come to mind). I am a huge fan of historical fiction --- especially WWII fiction --- so this was right up my alley. The best part of this book was that there was no sad ending! This book was the perfect escape for a few days and I would recommend it to anyone who likes light historical fiction and romance books that aren't dummied down. 

I enjoyed the author's descriptions of Scotland and at one point thought, "I really should visit someday." I was moved by a few of the passages in which Elspeth discusses the plight of women --- true back then, true now. I would have liked more background on her relationship with Iain and her unhappiness with him as it would have made her interest in Davey that much more believable. I expected Finlay and Iain to be in a romantic relationship. I also didn't buy that the whole break-up of her family was precipitated by her affair, but it didn't ruin the book for me at all. I really enjoyed this novel and look forward to the author's future efforts. 

Andy
I just finished reading LETTERS FROM SKYE and was favorably impressed. Although it started slowly and took some time for me to get involved in David and Elspeth's lives, I was soon rapidly turning pages to find out how their relationship would develop. The background of the war and the distance from both Iain and David made the premise that Elspeth could have feelings for both men concurrently rational.

Cindy
I really enjoyed this book. I wasn't sure that I would like it because it’s set up as letters. The characters came alive right from the beginning and you can read their emotions in the words that they write to each other.

I was worried that because of the letter format you wouldn't get to know them as well as in a regular book, but I was surprised that when reading each person’s letter you hear them in their own words.

Carol
I opened up LETTERS FROM SKYE this morning and was captivated by it. I couldn't put it down until I finished it. The letter format sucked me in. "Just one more," I said to myself and, hours later, I was still reading. I had to know what happened to Elspeth and whether she and David ever met until I had finished the book.

I would recommend LETTERS FROM SKYE to friends who value relationships that begin with the sharing of mutual interests and respect that slowly builds. Elspeth's daughter Margaret added another layer to the anticipation of what happened in Elspeth's and David's lives and watching her solve the mystery of Elspeth's closed-off life was beautiful. Even though the story takes place during two wars, there is no real violence to make the book hard to read. Because you get to read the letters from both sides, their personalities really develop and you learn their dreams. By the end of the book, you want them to find happiness. I found the ending satisfying, and I think the story will stay with me for a while.

Rachel
When I first heard about this book last winter, I immediately put it on my wish list! I devoured LETTERS FROM SKYE in a day. Told through letters, this is the story of a Scottish poet, Elspeth and a young American man, David, who starts their correspondence by writing her a fan letter. They write to each other for many years and eventually meet. David enlists to fight in WWI, and that influences their relationship in many ways. During WWII, Elspeth's daughter, Margaret, finds letters from David and sets out to discover more about her past. I don't want to give away too much, so I'll just say that this was a lovely bit of historical fiction. The love story will impress fans of romance and the war settings were well written. It will also appeal to people who love books and reading. I've read a few books set on the Isle of Skye and I could get a real sense of the island in this novel. Sometimes Elspeth irritated me (mostly her issues with travel) and I wish a few of the letters had been longer. Overall, a wonderful summer read and I will look forward to reading more by this author.

Mary Kay
It was an easy read, but it took a little bit of time to get used to the "letter" format of the story. LETTERS FROM SKYE became a book that I was always anxious to pick up again! It is the story of an emotional mother/daughter relationship during wartime, linking the mother's life in WWI and the daughter's life in WWII. The characters go through all of the emotions and struggles that women everywhere share during wartime --- waiting for their men to return home to them all the while hoping to recapture the life they had before the war intruded so rudely in their lives. I am recommending this to my book club because it is a "sentimental" book and we will all enjoy it. I think there are more than a few women who could claim this story their own.       

Sharon
I really, really enjoyed LETTERS FROM SKYE. I am a romantic at heart and loved the premise of the book. I liked the pace of the book and the going back and forth between Davey and Elspeth (Sue), as well as Margaret and Paul. I have read other books with letters and enjoyed them, but I enjoyed this one so much more! I think it was because of Jessica Brockmole’s writing style, which I found to be very moving. The writing is descriptive, but not overly so --- there is so much emotion and feeling in the words. Not only could I picture the individuals, but I could feel what they felt! I could feel the anticipation Davey and Sue felt waiting and wanting that next letter. The ending was different than I was expecting, which I liked. The book reads fast and I was eager to get to each next letter. The book is entirely letters, but you learn so much about Skye, America, the wars, the people and their relationships with their families, sisters, etc.  I also enjoyed that the author included one of Elspeth’s poems, as well as one of Davey’s fairy tales. 

I have already recommended the book to two other people. I would say most women who enjoy relationship books would enjoy LETTERS FROM SKYE. I would describe the book as relationships between two on the surface very different individuals in different parts of the world and the bond and love they develop through their letters. Also, how as children we think we know our parents and maybe we do not! The overall theme is the lost art of letter writing! This book is much more than a love story; it is the bond between two individuals. This book is written with emotion and feeling and is very moving. I would absolutely read another book by this author! If she keeps writing like this, she will have a wonderful career as an author.

James
LETTERS FROM SKYE was an interesting read, especially from the perspective of both letter writers. I enjoyed reading both writing styles and finding out the history of both mother and daughter through the letters they sent to their loves. While I enjoyed the book, I thought that the end happened rather quickly. It may have been that I just wanted to know more of what happened rather than it ending. I would enjoy reading more from this author.
 
Karina
I finished reading LETTERS FROM SKYE and loved it. I had read GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY and thought LETTERS FROM SKYE would be a letdown in comparison. In fact, I have read several other books since GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY that were trying to be similar that just didn't appeal to me.  LETTERS FROM SKYE, however, gave me all of the good feelings I had when reading GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL SOCIETY. I am going to book club tomorrow night, and I will most certainly be recommending LETTERS FROM SKYE and passing my copy on to someone else in the club. It definitely makes my top 10 for this year.

Ann
I found the first 50 pages or so to be rather dull and boring. However, I kept plugging along and it turned out to be a beautiful love story that I could not put down. My only negative comment would be the ending, which I would say was rather unbelievable. I would recommend this book to my friends as a good read!

Aletheia
I was excited to read this book, but I did not love it. I was disappointed, as I heard a lot of good things about the book!  But it was a quick read and various aspects were interesting and intriguing.