Love letters - Andrea Clarke

Long before there were e-mail emoticons for love hearts and
flirtatious text messages and photos sent via cell phone satellite, one
had to actually try to articulate feelings of love and desire in real
words and sentences. The love letter these days often seems like a lost
art form, when even those of us who might wish to enclose sentiments in
an envelope can turn to the assistance of Hallmark cards. But love
letters are not just the made-up stuff of novels; once upon a time
handwritten letters facilitated some of the most intimate exchanges
between lovers. This beautiful book from the British Library celebrates two
thousand years of love letter history, from ancient Egypt to the present
day. Included here are facsimile reproductions of twenty-five letters,
which are fully transcribed along with engaging commentaries about the
correspondents and their circumstances and portraits of the writers and
recipients. Love Letters includes correspondence by figures such
as Henry VIII, Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bront\u00eb, Admiral Nelson, Oscar
Wilde, and Mervyn Peake. The words of love letters allow us insights
into the private relationships of people across centuries, cultures, and
continents, and the original manuscripts of such letters grant the
reader a direct connection with the author of such personal words. A perfect gift for any beloved, this charming book may inspire many
to pick up a pen and record some passionate missives of their own.