Letters in Cardboard Boxes

Letters in Cardboard Boxes by Abby Slovin

Ebook

Experience what advanced reviews are proclaiming, "An absolute must read...this is a novel you will want to keep with you for the rest of your life" and "A poignant and moving story...a true work of art." 

Letters In Cardboard Boxes tells the story of an eccentric grandmother and her granddaughter alongside a series of fantastical letters they once exchanged. Their letters once traversed the East River to help Parker escape the loneliness of a childhood without her globe-trekking parents and communicate during her turbulent teenage years. Now, nearly a decade later, Parker begins to rediscover the evidence of this letter writing tradition, as well as the family’s untold stories and, unexpectedly, letters from her grandmother’s own youth that paint a very different portrait of the woman who raised her. 
Letters carries us through the universally-shared experience of loss and the process of coping with life’s unexpected twists and turns. Through unusual and bold characters, the story moves through some of its heavier themes with honesty and humor. 


Ramblings: I loved this book from the very first chapter! This is one of the best ways to start out a story that I've ever read. At first I was really sad, but then I was laughing! It was just such a spectacular twist at the very beginning! I haven't read a good first chapter like this in a while.


Characters: Parker is a great main characters. She is quiet and somewhat shy, and she really doesn't like change. At points in the story I became frustrated with her though, just because of her lack of decision making skills, but I was so happy to watch her evolve and grow stronger and more confident. Parker's grandmother also played a big role in the story--the emotional role. As her grandmother slipped further away my heart just melted for her! She tugged on my heart strings numerous times and I really loved her character.


Plot: This was certainly an interesting book! Slovin's writing style just flowed and I found that I couldn't put it down! The story is one that could just make you cry and cry, but Slovin does a terrific job of balancing the good and the bad, creating a lighter emotional book. I don't really know how to word this right, I hope you are understanding!


Overall: This is such a spectacular read, I don't know of anyone who wouldn't enjoy this. It has so many beautiful qualities to it, and for such an emotional plot, she keeps the book very uplifting! A fantastic read, don't pass this one up. I don't know why I waited so long to read it!


Overall Rating: 4 Stars