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Reviews
Four Letter Word: Invented Correspondence from the Edge of Modern Romance by Rosalind Porter
spiffysarahruby's review
3.0
More like 3.5 stars.
I came across this book during a MASSIVE weeding project at my former library. It hadn't been checked out in 5 years so, out it goes (Don't holler! If customers don't check out a book, it's likely not needed in the collection, and after it's weeded, something that customers DO want can be put on the shelf in its place. That's how libraries should work.). I was intrigued by the title and like epistolary books, so I took it home. After having read it, it does feel sad that nobody had read this book in the 5 years it had been sitting on our shelves.
Anyway, I did like it. I didn't love it. It took me a long time to get through only because I never seem to be in much of a hurry when I pick up an anthology these days. Like most anthologies, there were stories I LOVED, and others that were Meh. There weren't enough stories that I LOVED to tip the scales to a 4 star-"I really liked it" review, but I still enjoyed it. I did. I'd say if you're into epistolary books, go for it. Give this one a shot from your own library, so it doesn't get weeded from 5 years of no checkouts.
I came across this book during a MASSIVE weeding project at my former library. It hadn't been checked out in 5 years so, out it goes (Don't holler! If customers don't check out a book, it's likely not needed in the collection, and after it's weeded, something that customers DO want can be put on the shelf in its place. That's how libraries should work.). I was intrigued by the title and like epistolary books, so I took it home. After having read it, it does feel sad that nobody had read this book in the 5 years it had been sitting on our shelves.
Anyway, I did like it. I didn't love it. It took me a long time to get through only because I never seem to be in much of a hurry when I pick up an anthology these days. Like most anthologies, there were stories I LOVED, and others that were Meh. There weren't enough stories that I LOVED to tip the scales to a 4 star-"I really liked it" review, but I still enjoyed it. I did. I'd say if you're into epistolary books, go for it. Give this one a shot from your own library, so it doesn't get weeded from 5 years of no checkouts.
_mallc_'s review
3.0
It was pretty good. A nice quick glimpse at a whole lot of different authors' work. Definetly gave me a few author's names to look into and it was neat to see the letters written by author's whose books I have read and enjoyed.
jessalynn_librarian's review
3.0
I think I like the idea of this book more than the reality - a collection of fictional love letters. There was quite a range, both in terms of subject matter (I particularly liked the love letter to a house) and style, and some of them hooked me and some left me cold. Good for dipping in for a quick read.
and_abigail's review
2.0
maybe a couple good stories in here, but overall highly disappointing, even from acclaimed authors :(
barrettcmyk's review
I thought sure I'd love this. An assortment of fictional love letters, written by an assortment of most excellent authors? Gaiman included? Yes please. Yet somehow I just couldn't get into it. Maybe I didn't give it enough of a shot, or I just didn't make enough time, but of the 5 or 6 stories I read, most tended toward the silly / ludicrous. Perhaps too much of a good thing just made each ridiculous love letter that much less shocking?
jdyschmdt's review
2.0
This book wasn't what I wanted it to be. I suppose it was ok for what it was.
library_brandy's review
3.0
Despite the contributor list reading like a Who's Who of my bookcase, this just wasn't that good. It wasn't bad--many of the stories were enjoyable--but the bulk ends up being forgettable. Several pieces feel like they were dashed off in a "why not?" response to the project, with minimal planning or editing. The "love letter" is interpreted several ways, but most end up with sarcastic and/or "twists"--love gone wrong, I Never Want To See You Again, letters from chimps to the primatologist who's been studying his clan. Taken as individual microfictions, these might be enjoyable, but when put together into a collection, there's not enough diversity in tone and/or subject matter to hold my interest. Did every author think they were being clever to write breakups and bitter irony as their love letters? The stand-outs were the ones who broke from that mold: a husband placing ad after ad, looking for his wife after Katrina. A performance artist stalking a woman he sees daily. Descriptions of photos that chronicled a relationship. Unfortunately, these pieces were the minority and back-loaded the book (arranged loosely by tone; the organizational plan is somewhat obtuse); many readers will likely never make it all the way to the few gems that are hidden here.
emilyjbridges's review
3.0
This book contains exactly what you would expect from your basic "anthology around a theme." Some regular letters, some from or to psychoes, some to non-humans, some not actually letters, blah blah blah. Problem is none were that interesting. I score three stars in honor of the letter by Chris Bachelder, an author I hadn't heard of before, whose letter, describing a student who did very well in the Intermediate Love course, was the only one that was in any way interesting, clever, or moving. EDIT: I do read a lot of "Anthologies around a theme" though. Maybe I am just jaded.
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