Envelope of a Letter
'Envelope of a Letter', Laura Dawn's first published novel, is now available from all good bookshops and online at Amazon, retailing at £9.99. Read on to discover more about the book and gain a direct insight from the author herself.
The Story - Laura's Thoughts
The Story
'Envelope of a Letter' tells the story of two very different sisters. An accident leaves Annette Eider facially disfigured and, her confidence shattered by the experience, only capable in her mind of contemplating new relationships and discovering true love by the exchange of correspondence. As a consequence she is horribly torn when the long-term recipient of her letters and affection, Clemence Skye, the heir to Rookery Castle, extends an invitation to her to visit. Her affection has developed into a far more powerful emotion, yet she cannot abide the thought of the horror that she hysterically imagines will greet her when he perceives her countenance for the first time. Surely there is no solution?
Her beautiful yet selfish and thoroughly spoilt sister Anna, however, has a devious and ingenious plan. She will visit the castle herself, posing as Annette. Delighted by this seemingly considerate and selfless suggestion, Annette agrees enthusiastically and Anna appears in her stead. However, Annette is not the only sister whom Clemence is able to wield his considerable masculine charm over...
A hilarious but inevitably tragic web of intrigue, deception and counter-deception is weaved as Anna battles with her conscience, emotions and the falseness of her assumed identity. Will Clemence discover the truth? Which sister will prevail?
'Envelope of a Letter' is an inspired hybrid - a tragi-comic post-modern Regency narrative with deceptively complex characterisation and lavishly and convincingly described period locations. In the manner of Ford Madox Ford's 'The Good Soldier' and E.M. Forster's 'A Passage To India', the hero (or, more accurately, heroine) is an intriguingly ambiguous and (occasionally thoroughly anti-heroic!) figure who delights and frustrates in equal measure. The engagingly dry humour of the dialogue and excitingly fast-paced narrative - and a somewhat unexpected yet distinctly satisfying conclusion - helps ensure that Laura Dawn's first novel is an extremely enjoyable read.
UPDATE (13/01/06): An extract from 'Envelope of a Letter' is now available for perusal at the Fygleaves website.
The Story - Laura's Thoughts
