Letters to the Editor
by Mo McDonald
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Pub Date Mar 28 2020 | Archive Date May 20 2020
Troubador Publishing Ltd. | Matador
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Description
During the 1980’s Jack Kelly was a celebrity broadcaster and successful novelist. Terrestrial television was enjoying its heyday and TV presenters started to receive the status of A-Lister celebrities. Jack’s life in the public eye allowed him a privileged position only a few experienced. He had access to select places and stars around the world, with an adoring army of fans.
Several decades later, while preparing for a new show in the USA, Jack receives a phone call from his secretary. A story about Jack has emerged on social media which has gone viral. It has details of his relationship with a young woman, Marian Davies, 30 years previously.
He is more than ready to dismiss the warning at first, but the pressing urgency in his secretary’s voice leads him to stop in his tracks. He looks back over the many decades, since he last saw Marian. Back to a time before social media, to a time when he controlled the narrative; people listened to him and he was trusted. But one question kept cropping-up: why has Marian reappeared? Just at the time when there are so many other parallels with the eighties. Political unrest, Thatcherism and the horrors of IRA terrorism all uncannily mirrored in 21st century Britain.
From terrorism from extremists, in the name of the ISIS and Britain First, another female Prime Minister and a nation divided from the political fall-out of a divisive Brexit result in the 2016 British European referendum.
Advance Praise
"Read it in all consuming haste. The juxtaposition of different themes are woven into a fine tapestry, the messages subtle but bound to be understood for those with eyes to see. An impressive read." - Amazon review
Available Editions
| EDITION | Ebook |
| ISBN | 9781838595760 |
| PRICE | $4.99 (USD) |
| PAGES | 200 |
Featured Reviews
Maria F, Reviewer
I found the description for ‘Letters To the Editor’ by Mo McDonald to the intriguing – during the glory days of the television presenter in 1980s, Jack Kelly was a celebrity broadcaster and novelist. It was commonplace for Jack to receive fanmail but a letter from fan Marian Davis, caught his attention and so begins a relationship conducted via mail and television where Jack cruelly attempts to manipulate Marian through this editing of his tv show. His behaviour comes back to haunt Jack several decades later when Marian’s granddaughter discovers their letters and the story goes viral on social media.
There is a strong focus on the psychological aspect to the story and while understandable as this forms a central component of the story, I found that the author dwelt of this topic for too long and neglected the actual movement of the storyline.
I did enjoy the ending though (no spoilers!)
Thank you to Netgalley and The Book Guild for the ARC in return for an honest review.
Claire M, Media/Journalist
Plenty to like here. Though something holds it back from being great, I still thoroughly enjoyed it. One for your TBR pile.
Preslava S, Reviewer
Letters To The Editor is a very old-fashioned book - both in the good and in the bad sense of that. Very slow, very character-driven, very... last century romantic. I strongly believe that many people would really enjoy the story, especially with its charming epistolary style, but it definitely is not everybody's cup of tea. This book was graciously provided to me for a review by Troubador Publishings.
Reviewer 660325
Jake Kelly is a famous TV broadcaster in the 1980s who one day finds a letter from a woman named Marian Davies in his pile of fan mail.
Their attraction is mutual, and Jake arranges for a studio visit to meet her, and maybe more. Of course both Jake and Marian are married to other people but that doesn’t stop Jake from wanting to embark on a “social experiment” which has terrible consequences for both of them.
Fast forward 30 years, and just as he is preparing for a new show in America, Marian reappears and shares their story on social media. By why?
Letters to the editor is a clever novel that juxtaposes the various realities of people in Britain throughout the various decades of recent history. Those feeling nostalgic of the 1980s or who are perhaps curious about them are in luck, as the book contains an excellent description of the various political and socioeconomic events of the decade.
The story is told from two different points of view: Jake’s and Marian’s, who ponder philosophically about the different realities they are living.
An excellent, cerebral read that will wrap your senses and which you will not want to put down!
Disclosure: I would like to thank NetGalley and Matador for a copy of Letters to the Editor by Mo McDonald. This is my honest review.
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STEPHEN W, Reviewer
With thanks to Troubador Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.
Jack Kelly is a major celebrity, best selling novellist and major TV star. He has a great love of Psychology.
Back in his 1980's heyday he is contacted by a a fan, Marian Davies. all she is looking for is a word from someone she greatly admires.
Using tecniques learned from his Psycology heroes, Jack then carries out a major Psychological experiment at a distance. Using his TV show and novels he sends subliminal messages to Marian and manipulates her to change her life and head in new directions. This is carried out over 3 or 4 years.
Along the way Jack gets caught up and not everything goes according to his elaborately laid plan.
An entirely unique book, to my knowledge anyway.
I was close to giving up part way through due to my lack of knowledge in the field, there was times I was confused and found some of the psycology a bit over my head but I'm glad I persevered for the pay off. I really did end up enjoying the book immensley.
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