letters to an american lady

i most recently read letters to an american lady, cs lewis' half of a correspondence.  it being of the epistolary genre, at first i was disappointed to see that it didn't include the american lady's letters.  a little less than half way through, however, i became rather glad it didn't.

lewis' humanity and wit comes through, as he genuinely and most earnestly tries to encourage his pen pal.  reading his side begins to paint a picture of her, at least to me she comes off as rather negative, trouble-plagued, and a bit self-centered.  she fishes for compliments, asks for money, and seems to get her feelings hurt rather easily if jack, as he is known to his friends, doesn't write back immediately.

even when he tells her his lecture schedule, the fact that he is marrying a woman who may possibly imminently pass away (joy davidman) and all the other letters he must answer, she seems rather demanding. (i dare not think what her texting habits might have been had such technology existed for them.  the very thought of lewis having a social media agent, however, makes me grin.)

so, in all honesty, it does not make me want to know more about the american lady.  it does, however, make me want to know more about joy (she answers a letter when lewis is away) and makes me grateful for the celebrated author who was also a person who enjoyed a hearty breakfast, sometimes had trouble sleeping, and liked to joke about his cat.

it also makes one think twice about what one puts into writing.  much like anne frank and her diary, i very much doubt lewis expected me to be reading his letters over fifty years later.  nonetheless, i'm committed to the handwritten word and supporting the us postal service.  letter writing is an art form that, all things considered, seems to mean more today than ever.