Customer Reviews

From Calcutta with Love: The World War II Letters of Richard and Reva Beard

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I enjoyed this book so much! The totality of the letters is finally a story of love, patience, endurance, and the way we and two people in particular are able to live through a long absence and the fears of war. The book gave a strong sense of how very difficult it would be to be separated for TWO years when one is very much in love, and really how brave Richard and Reva both were to keep going, doing what was necessary to get through one day and then the next and then the next. These characters, the mother and father of the author, come through so well, not only through their endearments, but through the everydayness of their lives (when they can be everyday) and the specialness of their lives in times of stress, loneliness and disgust and fear. The author did a superb job of putting all this together. FCWL also includes several fairly long essays about the China-Burma-India theatre, which gives the reader a good grounding on this aspect of World War II. It was nice to have the author tell "the rest of the story" too--about how she and her brother were adopted by Richard and Reva and about their lives as a family.

This collection beautifully captures both the magic of letters and the exotic, turbulent China-Burma-India theater of World War II. The devotion this couple, Richard and Reva Beard, have for each other will renew your faith in steadfast love. Their daughter Elaine Pinkerton has added her intriguing, informative historical essays, enriching the reader's imagination and understanding of this little-recognized part of WWII.
You'll find yourself marking letters to re-read later - for their moving sentiment or marvelous wit. Whether you read "From Calcutta with Love" for literary or historical reasons, you'll be amply satisfied.

Elaine Pinkerton's "From Calcutta with Love" offers a unique way to look at World War II. I enjoyed learning about the China-Burma-India theater of operations and getting to know about Richard and Reva Beard through their daily letters. Their devotion was the old-fashioned kind, their relationship one that could serve as a model for today. The book is a powerful reminder of the way WWII tested values, built character and deepened love affairs. "From Calcutta with Love" stayed with me long after I read the epilogue. I was entertained, touched, and inspired!

Having a loved older brother who fought in the European theater of World War II, I've always been fascinated by that time and events. But I'd never known anything about the China-Burma-India theater. So "From Calcutta with Love" was a fascinating story about two very real people. The commitment to their marriage, each other, and their future family was rather inspiring. The times weren't as the romantic movies often portray, but often very difficult even if not in combat. I really enjoyed getting to know about the people, places, and things even before getting to the letters. That helped to make it all so real and honest. By the time I finished I felt like I really knew Richard and Reva. What wonderful parents they must have been!