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Dearest Wonderful Reader,
Where are you? Are you there? I haven't heard from you in so long. I have been doing quite well, and perhaps, it's time we got better acquainted.
My name is THE WHALESTOE LETTERS. I am a small but beautiful book written by Mark Z. Danielewsi, the acclaimed author of HOUSE OF LEAVES, one of the most critically acclaimed books of last year. Have you heard of it? Read it? It will surely make an impact on you, my Dear Wonderful Reader. Newsweek called it "one of the most ambitious, complicated and eagerly anticipated literary debuts of the year." Newsweek was right. But, I'm here to talk to you about me, my story, my life.
I've been taken out of the HOUSE OF LEAVES and made into my own elegant volume. I am a series of letters written by Johnny Truant's mother, Pelafina Leivre. She sent them from the Three Attic Whalestoe Institute, a psychiatric hospital. Pelafina was there for many years. Her husband, Johnny's father, took her there. It was hard for him. Harder for Johnny. Harder still for Pelafina, for she loves Johnny more than she loves life.
These letters are beautiful. They are poetry. They are power. They are brilliant and compelling, compassionate and tender, sad and disheartening. They will bring a tear to your eye. Hidden within the recesses of every mind (no matter how sane, how righteous, how secure, how smart, how hidden) is an undying love. That love Pelafina put into words for her son:
"Dear dear devoted Johnny, Is it possible? Will I really see you in ten days? After all these years, am I to finally marvel at your face and touch your hands and taste for myself the sweetness of your voice?...Hurry. Hurry. I won't be able to sleep until I have you at my side filling my ear with your adventures and plans. With too much love for even the word to hold, Mommy."
Written between 1982 and 1989, these letters are heartfelt and tragic, as you see Pelafina's mind slowly unravel, unravel towards her precocious, gifted young son whom she never ceases to love, no matter how far away he is, or how far away she is:
"As I indicated in my last letter, I've grown increasingly suspicious about the staff here, especially where my personal care is concerned. I need to feel we can correspond without interference. For now all you need to do is place in your next letter a check mark in the lower right hand corner. That way I'll know you received this letter. Don't make the check mark too big or too small or else the New Director will know something's afoot."
Read me, THE WHALESTOE LETTERS. I will touch you. Then, if you haven't already done so, read HOUSE OF LEAVES. It will mesmerize you.
Thank you ever so much for your time and efforts.
Sincerely,
THE WHALESTOE LETTERS
--- Reviewed by Jonathan Shipley
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