Letters for Emily [Paperback]

Camron Steve Wright (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 13, 2001 | ISBN-10: 0970549628 | ISBN-13: 978-0970549624

Harry Whitney is dying – not only dying, he’s losing his mind. Afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease, he knows his “good” time is short. Worried he’ll ultimately be remembered as mean and contemptible, Harry compiles a book of his own poems as a final gift to Emily, his favorite granddaughter. His secret hope is that somehow his words will heal tenuous relationships in a family that is falling apart. His book of poems is discovered, but it does little to ease the tension as the writings are quickly dismissed as the babbling words of a crazy old man; that is until secrets are discovered hidden within each poem.

How could an old man afflicted with Alzheimer’s have created such intricate hidden messages? And what of the hidden gold to which Harry alludes in his poems? As Harry’s secrets are uncovered one by one, his children learn about romance, compassion and hope.

Will it be enough to change their attitudes and bring them closer together, or will greed take over and destroy them forever? For better or for worse, their lives will be undeniably altered by Harry’s words in his Letters for Emily.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this tearjerker of a debut novel, author Wright delves into a family's struggle with a dying parent's mental illness, a marriage breakup and a mysterious legacy left for a seven-year-old granddaughter. Widower Harry Whitney is old and dying. Alzheimer's disease is taking its toll, and he wants only two things to die with dignity and to be remembered as the good man he once was, not as the drooling, cranky old coot he is becoming. His children are estranged, their marriages on the rocks, and his only true friend is his granddaughter, Emily. After Harry dies, his daughter-in-law, Laura, finds three identical homemade books filled with Harry's poems and stories. As she and Emily discover, each poem and story contains a secret, coded password linked to computer files. The files each hold a special letter to Emily confessions, revelations, advice, even a hint of hidden gold. After Harry's son and daughter read the letters, too, they begin to realize that Harry was a pretty amazing father after all. Wright's word picture of old Harry slowly dying and knowing it is powerful and gripping, as are his vivid portrayals of nursing homes, adult children making tough decisions for elderly parents and the insensitivity of the medicare system. His melodramatic characterizations of husbands and wives involved in divorce proceedings are less successful, but Harry's letters to Emily are eloquent enough to make this a worthwhile read overall. 12-city author tour. Agent, Dorian Karchmar. (Jan.)Forecast: Originally self-published, this novel was a regional bestseller in Utah. It lacks a seasonal hook, and so may not catch on as easily as its close cousin, The Christmas Box, but it is otherwise equipped with all the key trappings of grassroots success including a blurb from Mary Higgins Clark and poems by Wright's grandfather, the inspiration for the book.

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Before losing his mind to Alzheimer's, Harry Whitney composes a book of poems for his favorite granddaughter that he hopes will heal the entire family.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 222 pages
• Publisher: Premiere Pub Group (January 13, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0970549628
• ISBN-13: 978-0970549624
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.2 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,460,124 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Definite Must Have, February 5, 2002

By 

Stephen J. Eckert (Hillsborough, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Letters for Emily (Hardcover)

What an amazing book!!!! Recommended to me by a member of my Church, I was a bit skeptical about cracking the cover. To my delight, I fell in love with the book and the characters. Your heart begins to ache for poor Harry. You begin to well up with tears for Laura. You start getting angry at Bob. And you are excited for little Emily.

It starts out as a book about Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and its cruelty to those who are inflicted with it. AD is one of the worst because you watch your loved one wither away before you. AD steals the most important part of life...your memories -- then your body. It is, however, a book just about AD because as you are engrossed with the characters and the story, another problem begins to surface. What is it? Read the book and find out.

I highly recommended this book to all readers! As a Pastor, it will certainly have a place of prominence on my bookshelf. Truly a delight to read as well as a challenge to our lives. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is an amazing book!, January 21, 2002

By 

Xena (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Letters for Emily (Hardcover)

I read until three o'clock in the morning. I couldn't put it down. The best way to describe this book would be to say it's a cross between "Tuesday's With Morrie" and a Nicholas Sparks novel. It's not only full of fabulous wisdom about life, the story grabs you by the heart and won't let go. I was fascinated by the clues hidden in the poem and the grandfather's wisdom dispensed in each letter. And, the ending was a terrific surprise. I hope we see many more books from this author. Until then, Letter for Emily is my new favorite novel. Bravo!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Letters for Emily is Fabulous, January 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Letters for Emily (Hardcover)

I'm a huge fan of Mary Higgins Clark so when I read her endorsement on the cover, I bought the book. I was not disappointed. The book was excellent. The way the old man's poems weave into the story is fascinating. I found myself trying to solve the clues and figure each one out. Here's the best part - my husband who never reads picked it up and read it as well. And, he loved it. I look forward to many more books from this author. Keep writing!