"We do things sometimes because we feel so much inside of us, and we don't notice how it affects somebody else." (Laurel)
I was worried that the format of Love Letters to the Dead wouldn't work for me. The whole story is told through the main character, Laurel, writing letters to dead celebrities. The beginning of Love Letters to the Dead is slow because Laurel just writes about her day, but with each letter that she writes the rawness, honesty, fragility and vulnerability increases. There's also a lot of strength and hopefulness in them too.
As Laurel writes these letters, she has to deal with feelings of grief that result from the death of her older sister, May. May is such an important part of Laurel's life. In Laurel's eyes, May is perfect, beautiful and brave and in Love Letters to the Dead, Laurel has to come to terms with the fact that May was human too. Laurel's love for May is overwhelming and as Laurel shares memories of her sister, her grief, pain and heartbreak is so palpable.
The secondary characters are extremely interesting. Natalie and Hannah, Laurel's friends, have a beautiful relationship. Tristan and Kristen are fun and full of depth. Laurel's relationship with her parents is so real and I appreciate that Aunt Amy isn't portrayed as a stereotypical religious type and that she's kind, understanding and loving. The relationship between Laurel and Sky is insta-lovey, but they have one of those cute and awkward first love romances.
The first part of Love Letters to the Dead didn't do much for me, but when everything started coming together, this book became so profound. There are so many quotes that got to me. Love Letters to the Dead is a book that creeps into your heart and overwhelms you with emotions and feelings when you least expect it. It's about growing up, loss, grief, hurt, pain, heartbreak, hope and everything in between.
"You can be noble and brave and beautiful and still find yourself falling." (Laurel)