Love Letters Of The Great War, edited by Mandy Kirkby
THIS is a collection of real, never-before-published correspondences between soldiers and their sweethearts from around the world. During the First World War, many men and women suddenly found themselves separated by great distances, not knowing when or if they will be reunited, and countless numbers ended up never seeing their loved ones ever again.
These touching and fascinating first-hand accounts relay the separation, the longing and the conditions faced by individuals at that time. There are heart-wrenching love notes, sweet drawings and tenderly exchanged photographs, but the focus isn’t just on the romantic, there are also wonderful bursts of humour, Dear John letters, and barely concealed frustrations and fears.
As well as an insightful foreword by Helen Dunmore, every letter is prefaced by background notes from editor Mandy Kirby, further bringing to life the individual situation of each letter writer for the reader.
Love Letters Of The Great War is a short but wonderful anthology, which paints an intimate and human portrait of love and war, and it really brings to life one of the most significant events in recent history.
