#BookBingoNW2020: Epistolary

And then there’s that square marked “epistolary.” You’d be forgiven for Googling that one, where you’ll find it means a story told in the form of documents, such as diaries, emails, texts, and – most traditionally – letters – aka, epistles. To which you might respond “they write novels in the form of letters?” Oh yes, Wikipedia replies, in fact they pretty much always have. Chances are you’ve read some yourself! Not just old-timey classics such as Dracula, Frankenstein, and The Sorrows of Young Werther, but many more recent favorites like The Color Purple, Carrie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, and The Martian are epistolary in form. Still unsure? Here are some great recent examples to get you started:

Happiness As Such by Natalia Ginzburg
When young Michele suddenly runs away to England, leaving his family and lover behind in Italy, his absence is filled with poignant letters whose words often say less than what is left unspoken. Ginzburg’s posthumous novel is a wry and witty celebration of our most cherished dysfunctions.

Before She Was Found by Heather Gudenkauf
With the aid of texts and emails, journal entries, therapist’s notes and police reports, we gradually learn of the horrific events surrounding three young girls at a sleepover, and their haunting connection with a legendary killer from the distant past.

Last Words from Montmartre by Miaojin Qiu
In her haunting and enchanting final novel, the Chinese modernist master bids farewell to a world intent on defining her gender, and to her lost loves, and to literature.

Dear Committee Members by Julie Schumacher
Instead of writing the great American novel, frustrated English professor Jason Fitger spends his days writing letters of recommendation, sending his students toward great futures while he simmers amidst the futility of academia, an unconscious comic genius.

For still more epistolary fiction, check out this list in the catalog, or these posts. Or ask your librarian!

For more ideas for books to meet your Summer Book Bingo challenge, follow our Shelf Talk #BookBingoNW2020 series or check the hashtag #BookBingoNW2020 on social media. Book bingo is presented in partnership with Seattle Arts & Lectures .

     ~ Posted by David W.