Letters In Search of Love [Paperback]

Ronald L. Donaghe (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1998

Some of these essays were in response to requests by the late John Preston and other editors for inclusion in their anthologies; others explore that same period--one of the darkest in my life, as well as one of the most valuable.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Xlibris Corp; 1 edition (November 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0738801208
• ISBN-13: 978-0738801209
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,346,870 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of "Letters in Search of Love" by Cheri, April 24, 2004

By 

Cheri Crystal (Eastern United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Letters In Search of Love (Hardcover)

"Letters in Search of Love and Other Essays" by Ronald L. Donaghe is a wonderful collection of essays that are filled with love, hope, despair, some anger, adventure, realizations, relationships, and the importance of a family's love and support. It may be a thin book to the naked eye, but it is thick in content, wit, wisdom, and humor. This small book is so full of what life is all about, what is really important, that you are happy to be along for the ride, picking up bits of advice that may apply to your own life, as you go along.

Donaghe takes us on an adventure from the depths of despair, over the break up of a fourteen year old relationship with a man he thought he would spend the rest of his life with, to the renewal of hope that, time, experience, strong family ties, and connections with other people--even strangers, brings. "Letters in Search of Love" is an open and honest account of a young man's feelings and experiences during a difficult time in his life.

This true story makes the reader feel privileged to be allowed into the private mind of the writer while coming to the realization that we are not as unique as we thought. We often share the same feelings, emotions, and thoughts, and because of this, we need each other, and there is a strong connection to one another.

In response to the pain, sorrow, and possibly even depression, Donaghe posts a letter in a rural gay magazine, RFD, in hopes of finding love or at least to connect with other people with similar circumstances. The responses he receives all help him through his healing and he summarizes some of them from the most poignant to the most absurd. Most importantly he shows that it is through human contact that one can heal thy soul, and be able to move on, and hopefully find love again.

As an adult, he went back home to live with his parents and to help them in their failing health--only to be healed himself by their unconditional love and understanding. He does not regret for a moment this dark period in his life since he was able to "rediscover" his parents and appreciate all they had unselfishly, sacrificed and done for him, and his five siblings, even helping friends, extended family, and strangers alike. They were excellent role models who helped shape the person Ronald Donaghe is today.

My favorite essay is, "The Healing Place" because it is a beautiful tribute to his parents and shows his roots. Any parent would be proud to call Ron Donaghe their son, and his words and actions are the best thank you they could receive, for raising him right.

Donaghe's essays show a kind and intelligent man who may not be wealthy in worldly possessions, at this stage of his life, but is wealthy in what is most important in life, and that is love, caring, compassion, and appreciation for nature and the simple pleasures in life. This is a man whose belief in equality for all human beings regardless of race, religion, or sexual orientation, is best expressed in his essay, "The Old Man and St. Louis", when he compares the plight of gays to that of the Negro slaves. It was an excellent analogy--worth reading and thinking about. In this essay he describes his employment by a sick old man, as his chauffeur, driving him from New Mexico to Missouri, for his last trip to visit his family.

Other essays in this book include: "My Sister and I", about his loving relationship with one of his sisters; "AIDS in Paradise", about his adventure working on a goat farm where he was able to strip down all the conventions of modern living and get back to the bare bones of nature, gaining both inner and outer strength; and "Deming, New Mexico", where the reader gets to happily share Donaghe's joy and excitement of having his first book published, and coming out of the closet to his hometown. Best of all, the people in Deming didn't make too much of a fuss about his being gay, and they celebrated his book, even if they weren't thrilled with the gay theme. If it bothered them to know he is gay, they didn't let on. He learned he would always have a place to come home to.

"Letters in Search of Love" just reaffirms my love for the fiction and non-fiction written by one of my favorite authors, Ronald L. Donaghe. He teaches many valuable lessons and even though he posted on his website that you could read this book without purchasing it, I recommend buying this book at any price. It is worth the money--and for the most return on your investment, lend it to a friend.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More than just true stories from a fiction writer, February 15, 2002

By 

Duane Simolke "author, The Acorn Stories, Deg... (Lubbock, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Letters In Search of Love (Paperback)

Most gay readers know Ronald L. Donaghe for novels that explore gay issues, especially his bestseller Common Sons. However, many of his readers have also discovered his autobiography: My Year of Living Heterosexually...and Other Adventures in Hell. I also suggest that book, but Letters in Search of Love...and Other Essays offers a probing look at various other times in his life, finding wisdom, insight, and sometimes humor from those moments. The fact that he wrote the essays at various times allows him to look back more introspectively, discovering and re-discovering the full impact of those moments on his life.

In this collection of richly detailed and reflective prose, Donaghe constantly stresses the importance of learning from one's family and one's experiences, which makes the essays themselves so much more than just true stories from a fiction writer. Like one of the other reviewers here at Amazon, I found the tribute to his parents especially touching.

You'll share in Donaghe's surprises, disappointments, and personal growth. Though being gay and breaking up with his first lover both affect much of the writing, these essays should appeal to anyone, gay or otherwise, who likes thoughtful, well-written prose that analyzes an individual life. In that analysis, Donaghe finds reasons to keep living, loving, and writing, while you will find reasons to keep reading this truly gifted writer.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Intriguing collection of essays on gay and family values, January 7, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Letters In Search of Love (Paperback)

Mr. Donaghe has given us an intriguing look into his life, during a time when he was back at home with his parents, hurting from the demise of a long relationship; and yet, shows us how he was able to recover himself and learned to value family. These essays are of pain, as well as healing; disappointment, as well as triumph. Donaghe is a teacher and should serve well as a role model for gay men who fit in to their families and communities. I recommend this work without reservation.