Customer Reviews

Lost Laysen

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having read and re-read "Gone with the Wind", I desperately wanted to read other books by Margaret Mitchell, and was thoroughly disappointed to learn that it was the only work by the author, until I discovered "Lost Laysen".

But after having read it, which, didn't take me more than a half hour, I was disappointed even more. The book contains a few letters between Margaret Mitchell and her Beau, Henry Love Angel, and several pictures. In the correspondence, Margaret comes across as a somewhat selfish lover with almost no feelings for Henry and in almost every letter, asks Henry to run some or the other errand for her. The pictures are interesting, though. Apart from the letters and pictures is a story written by Margaret when she was sixteen, which she later presented to Henry. The story ends almost before it begins. It's about a "Miss Ross", and her experiences on board a small ship called "Caliban".

Margaret Mitchell has an astounding number of fans throughout the world and I feel, this book is NOT AT ALL something they'd like associating their much-loved writer with. It almost spoils her image, if I may say so.

The overwhelming emotion you are left with, after having finished the book is, disappointment, in capital letters.

I will not recommend the book to anyone, let alone Margaret Mitchell lovers.

I found this book quite by accident. I was so excited I read it all through my favorite class, art. Later on a school bus, I was a freshman, I read the story itself in a half hour. By the end of the story I was crying so hard my shop teacher wondered what was wrong. I loved it! It was great the way the heroine chose to keep what she held precious even in the face of danger. I also loved the letters between Mitchell and Henry Love Angel that compose the first half of the book. Especially the letter about the train ride and the soldier's coffin. That is probably one of the best forms of symbolism I have ever read.

When judged against Gone With The Wind, this book (really more of a short story) fares badly, but you have to keep in mind the youth and inexperience of the author. I found the plot trite, the main character more annoying than inspiring, and the ending unbelievable. And yes, there's an obvious racist slant. If the story weren't written by Margaret Mitchell, I doubt it would ever have seen the light of day. However, it's worth a read to see how even the best writers start with amateurish efforts. If nothing else, it shows aspiring writers that there's hope if they persevere. GWTW is a magnificant achievement, and this book can't take away from that.

If you're a GWTW fan, don't miss this love story! Lost Laysen is second fiddle to the real story in this offering: Margaret "Peggy" Mitchell's letters to Henry Love Angel. Their story fascinated me much more than the fiction she pinned as a teen. Her letters and the photos and the story of how they surfaced made me feel like the young "Peggy" defied time and was alive again. Peggy's Henry must have been very special!

Having read "Gone With the Wind" for the first time ever recently, this additional book was a nice surprise. I enjoyed the background and pictures of Margaret Mitchell as a young lady, and this early unknown writing shows her talent for story telling.

Written by the author of 'Gone With the Wind' at sixteen years old. A sea captain falls in love with a socialite.

Tragic, epic, and astonishing it was written by one so young. I was ecstatic when I realized Margaret Mitchell had a second novel.

Worth every penny.

This book is a great gift for anyone who loves Margaret Mitchell. I am fascinated with her and absolutely enjoy learning all I can about her. To think that she wrote this book when she was so young is amazing. Read it, you will love it.

I didn't know the story of this novella until I received the cassette. This is an indication of the loss to the world of all the works destroyed at Margaret's death. Like the romantic young woman who wrote this tale, perhaps she couldn't bear the thought of her works not being presented as she would have them be. I can't help but see a lithesome Megan Follows at nineteen in the role of Miss Ross when I hear her read this, with her usual mastery. I don't know how it is possible, but she makes the transition from sweet young lady to grizzled seaman in a way that makes this a pleasure to hear. The South Pacific locale and ship terminology seemed real and my limited knowledge found no technical snags-not bad at all for a sixteen year old! The only fault I can think of is that it ends so quickly. Although I believe I could listen to Megan read the phone book, this is much less a strain on her considerable talents. It is a steal at these discounted prices.

The book came is excellent shape. Lost Laysen is a story written by Margaret Mitchell ( Yes, of Gone with the Wind fame) when she was a teenager. You will enjoy it!

Lost Laysen is a wonderful treasure. Something that everyone SHOULD read. Short, and with the maximum amount of sweetness, it's a jewel unlike much of todays literature. The characters ideas of love, and honor, are truly wonderful, and inspiring. Although it ends on a sour(sad) note, Lost Laysen, is far above and beyond anything else in it's class. I recommend this book. In fact, I'm writing a screenplay adaptation of this book it...and THAT is a compliment to any work.