@Lissa: Oh dear. What book is this?

@Staci: Oh dear. Yet another of those books I think I’ll pass on. But great letter!

You are smart. You are educated. You had high enough reasoning skills to dump that jerk in Mexico. So why do you keep letting yourself be alone with unknown men when you know someone is after you? Right after you have been warned not to be? I want to like you really, I do. I want to buy in to you character motivations. And I don’t remember it bothering me that much last time I picked up your book. Maybe I’m getting tired and cranky, but please! Act like the intelligent, independent woman I know you can be. I know we are trying to build sexual tension here, but can we do it in a more believable way? Thank you. Other then that, love the story line, and the suspense is definitely building. Keep up the good work.

Lissa

PS. Always go with the ‘bad boy’

Since people are copying and pasting theirs, here is mine:

Dear Mr. Abagnale (from Catch Me If You Can),

You’re story is simply amazing. I loved all of the details about your different escapades and I am convinced that you are a genious. It does make me wonder, though, that if you were such a brilliant con-artist, are you pulling the wool over my eyes? I sincerely hope that you have not conned your readers into believing something that is not true. For two reasons–because I spent a good chunk of the ‘thon on your story and because I so thoroughly enjoyed it.

Sincerely,
Trish

Dear Juana Inez de la Cruz

Your precociousness in verbal and reasoning skills do not amaze me nearly as much as your tender heart. It is one thing to learn how to read at age three by spying through your sister’s schoolroom window, it is another to notice and be disturbed by the way in which your family’s native born servants are treated as less-than.

It is one thing to read with comprehension the reports of Thucydides at age 9? 10? it is yet another to be heart-broken when Thucydides’ Athenian compatriots (representing to your mind the epitome of rationality and civilization) follow their logic to the bitterest of conclusions thus displaying it’s empty heart when they slaughter all the males on the isle of Menos and sell their women and children into slavery because the people of Menos refused to swear loyalty and subservience to Athens.

You, at such a young age, 9? 10? were able to see the equality of the Athens and Menos peoples, even the parity of their respective logic (ATHENS: Exceptions would weaken us in our enemies eyes; MENOS: Acquiescing to slavery is cowardice and worse than death.) As head-shaking stunning as that achievement, it is as nothing compared to the way in which you saw your own beloved Abuelo (Grandpa) through new eyes and found him wanting in some unnameable crucial thing when he attempted to explain that ancient conflict as pragmatism (ATHENS) vs. idealism (MENOS) clearly favoring pragmatism.

The only explanation is that you were born with the soul of a poet.

Oh that we had a few such as you living in our generation.

If I could ask you to answer one question for me, it would be: Why, as an adult, did you choose to enter a cloister and take not only the vows of a nun but a vow of silence as well? Based on the reason suffused with heart you exhibited as a pre-teen, I cannot believe it was simple expediency. Not even the expediency of protecting your own life.

Your awed admirer from beyond the ‘Unstable Margins’
Joy Renee

note: I’m reading Hunger’s Bride by Paul Anderson

To Bits,
Why do you have to be so self-destructive? What girl starts having sex at age 10 because her sister goes missing? Don’t you realize all the pain you’re causing your family and the shame you make your brother feel when kids make fun of his trampy sister? Can you please stop sleeping with every man you meet and try to form a real relationship with one? For starters, try to connect with your brother again, he’s got his head on straight!!! I wanted to like you but I find it hard to even have compassion for you…..this makes me sad.

Sincerely,
Staci