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kimberlyf's review against another edition
5.0
What a wonderful read through. The letters here range from 1938 to the time of Jackson’s untimely death in 1965. In the beginning, we see most of her letters addressed to Stanley Hyman (who would later become her husband) and then transition to being mostly addressed to her parents and her agent. In between, we get some really funny letters to other people though: friends, her children, and even this brilliant clap back to a “complaining reader”:
July 24 [1957]
Dear Mrs. White,
If you don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree.
Sincerely,
Shirley Jackson
The letters drip with Jackson’s usual candor and wit. I greatly enjoyed gaining a larger insight in to Jackson’s day to day life, her thought process while writing, and particularly her thoughts about her own pieces of work: which were her favorites, what she thought about the characters, etc. Though I have read some of her work, I certainly have not read it all but this has encouraged me—as if I wasn’t interested before—to seek out the rest.
All in all, a fun read and I think Shirley and I would have made good friends.
July 24 [1957]
Dear Mrs. White,
If you don't like my peaches, don't shake my tree.
Sincerely,
Shirley Jackson
The letters drip with Jackson’s usual candor and wit. I greatly enjoyed gaining a larger insight in to Jackson’s day to day life, her thought process while writing, and particularly her thoughts about her own pieces of work: which were her favorites, what she thought about the characters, etc. Though I have read some of her work, I certainly have not read it all but this has encouraged me—as if I wasn’t interested before—to seek out the rest.
All in all, a fun read and I think Shirley and I would have made good friends.
maddy_walock's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
5.0
arockettm's review
5.0
I’ve always been so so on Shirley Jackson’s actual books, but I think I need to revisit this opinion because WOW
Her letters, written to many people in her life, throughout her life, are amazing. Even if you’ve never read a Shirley Jackson book, maybe especially then, you should read her letters.
Her letters, written to many people in her life, throughout her life, are amazing. Even if you’ve never read a Shirley Jackson book, maybe especially then, you should read her letters.
erboe501's review
5.0
Shirley Jackson is one of my favorite authors. Her turns of phrase are so unique and clever, even just when she was corresponding with family and close friends. I found it slightly heartbreaking to read the collection cover to cover, knowing that her untimely death was looming over her great plans for her life and writing career. There's so much goodness to dig into with these letters, as a portrait of family life in the mid century, as a woman balancing career with family, as a fan of Jackson's novels seeing how plots and characters develop during her writing process. This book pairs nicely with her biography, as I needed to keep in mind that everything Jackson shared in letters to others was how she wanted her circumstances to be perceived. Things were not always so jolly.
This collection reaffirmed that Jackson is a true master of the written word.
This collection reaffirmed that Jackson is a true master of the written word.
foofers1622's review
5.0
Oh Shirley, how I love thee. Any fan of Shirley Jackson's needs to read this or at least skim through it. These letters highlight her witty humor and how she grew into such an amazing writer.
stevenyenzer's review
3.0
These are probably mostly interesting only to Shirley Jackson fans, but I did enjoy them. Her writing is just so fabulous that I'm happy to read whatever.
readbyashleyd's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
When I saw this book floating around the internet I immediately knew I needed to get my hands on a copy and devour it. It’s not often you have a chance to dive into the personal correspondence of one of the horror greats and I was salivating instantly at the thought. And thankfully it did not disappoint! I loved every minute I spent between the pages of this book, getting an insight into Jackson’s personal life was just thrilling and I have even more respect for her as an author after reading this. Highly recommend this if you love Shirley Jackson!