The Wednesday Letters [Paperback]

Jason F. Wright (Author)

Book Description

Release date: August 26, 2008

The surprise New York Times bestseller, from an author who delivers “American storytelling at its best.”

The story of marriage, family, and forgiveness that has become not just a bestseller but an instant classic.

Their story begins with one letter on their wedding night, a letter from the groom, promising to write his bride every week—for as long they both shall live.

Thirty-nine years later, Jack and Laurel Cooper die in each other’s arms. And when their grown children return to the family B&B to arrange the funeral, they discover thousands of letters.

The letters they read tell of surprising joys and sorrows. They also hint at a shocking family secret—and ultimately force the children to confront a life-changing moment of truth…

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In the wake of his bestselling Christmas Jars comes a sweetly crafted story from Wright, a Virginia businessman. Jack and Laurel Cooper are two hardworking, loving Christian pillars of the community who die in each other's arms one night in the bed-and-breakfast that they own and operate. The event calls their three grown children home for the funeral, including their youngest son, a fugitive from the law who must face an outstanding warrant for his arrest and confront his one true love, now engaged to another man. As events unfold around the funeral, the three children discover a treasure trove of family history in the form of Wednesday letters-notes that Jack wrote to his wife every single week of their married lives. As they read, the children brush across the fabric of a devoted marriage that survived a devastating event kept secret all these years. It's a lovely story: heartening, wholesome, humorous, suspenseful and redemptive. It resonates with the true meaning of family and the life-healing power of forgiveness all wrapped up in a satisfying ending. (Oct.)
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Review

“A lovely story: heartening, wholesome, humorous,suspenseful, and redemptive. It resonates with the true meaning of family and the life-healing power of forgiveness all wrapped up in a satisfying ending.”—Publishers Weekly

“Romance and magic still live!”—Glenn Beck, talk-radio and CNN host

“Jason’s ability to write compelling fiction is a gift. I am of course writing a letter to my wife of 44 years on Wednesday.”—Kieth Merrill, Academy Award-winning film director

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Berkley Trade; Reprint edition (August 26, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425223477
• ISBN-13: 978-0425223475
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 5.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (212 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #194,208 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USAToday bestselling author.

He is the author of The James Miracle (2004); Christmas Jars (2005); The Wednesday Letters (2007); Recovering Charles (2008), Christmas Jars Reunion (2009); Penny's Christmas Jar Miracle (2009); The Cross Gardener (2010); The Seventeen Second Miracle (2010); The Wedding Letters (2011); and The 13th Day of Christmas (2012).

Articles by Jason have appeared in over 50 newspapers and magazines across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, and Forbes. He has been seen on FoxNews, CNN, CSPAN and on many local and national radio shows.

Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks to over 100,000 annually on topics ranging from the value of service, the joy of failure, the lost art of letter writing and many other topics.

He lives with his wife, Kodi, and their four children in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

70 of 78 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of three books that must not be missed September 14, 2007

By Sandra Denton

Format:Hardcover

Do yourself a favor: skip the celeb-gossip books that are bombarding the amazon top ten list, and go straight for The Wednesday Letters by Jason Wright, A Beautiful Bucket of Bones by M. Luci, and Mother Theresa: Come Be My Light. If you refuse your voyeur instincts, you will turn to these novels and find the rewarding feelings of love and hope that all three so graciously inspire.

The Wednesday Letters is a classic American story filled with dreams and the struggles that surround them. A happily married couple, the Coopers, die in each others arms after a life of hard work, faith and love. Their children return for their funeral and find letters that not only show them the secrets of the lives they thought they knew, but guide them to the point of self-discovery, acceptance, and peace. It is a heartwarming story that will satisfy anyone who has ever had a dream and has had to find a way to move along when that dream dies.

34 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A fabulous book! September 12, 2007

By Danielle Funk

Format:Hardcover

What a great book. It made me laugh and cry. The relationship within the family was so realistic and believable to anyone that has siblings. I loved the local landmarks and the pride of living in a small town. The ending was so shocking and unexpected I had to read the last two chapters over again to really believe it. Sit down and be prepared to enjoy a really fabulous book!

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars "I will fail. But I pray you will never give up on me, though I will surely fail again." July 25, 2008

By Long Ago

Format:Hardcover

The first chapter started the story off with real power. It evokes a strong emotional response. And the latter half of the story also had some very poignant and emotional scenes; the type that put a tear in the eye and a lump in the throat. The story in its entirety was overall quite good, and the quality and emotion of the second half of the story helped make up for some not-so-subtle weaknesses.

After the powerful first chapter, as the Cooper siblings were introduced into the story, the story seemed to struggle to find its direction. Most obvious - and even irritating - to me was the dialogue between the siblings early on in the story. It seemed artificial and ingenuine. Not to mention they seemed to lack adequate development, with maybe the exception of Malcolm. Also, there were parts of the story that were very much over-written, as if the author was trying too hard to illustrate an environment, a character or a circumstance. Unfortunately, this caused some sections to just be hokey, goofy, and even a bit pathetic.

However, I thought in the second half the author seemed to find his stride and ended the book strongly. In the final assessment this was a good story, but it suffers 3 stars for a weak front half, except the first chapter.