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The Wednesday Letters
The inspirational story of marriage, family, and forgiveness that has become not just a bestseller but an instant classic—a surprise New York Times bestseller from an author who delivers “American storytelling at its best.”
Their story begins with one letter on their wedding night, a letter from the groom, promising to write his bride every week—for as long they both shall live.
Thirty-nine years later, Jack and Laurel Cooper die in each other’s arms. And when their grown children return to the family B&B to arrange the funeral, they discover thousands of letters.
The letters they read tell of surprising joys and sorrows. They also hint at a shocking family secret—and ultimately force the children to confront a life-changing moment of truth...
Their story begins with one letter on their wedding night, a letter from the groom, promising to write his bride every week—for as long they both shall live.
Thirty-nine years later, Jack and Laurel Cooper die in each other’s arms. And when their grown children return to the family B&B to arrange the funeral, they discover thousands of letters.
The letters they read tell of surprising joys and sorrows. They also hint at a shocking family secret—and ultimately force the children to confront a life-changing moment of truth...
280 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2007
About the author
Jason F. Wright
53 books547 followersJason Wright is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author.
Jason also writes an occasional column which has appeared in over 100 newspapers, magazines and web sites across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Deseret News, Forbes, CNN, FoxNews, and others.
Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the miracle of opening doors, faith, failure, the Christmas Jars movement, the lost art of letter writing, and many other topics. He has been seen on CNN, FoxNews, C-SPAN, and on local television stations around the country.
Each year Jason visits schools across the country and presents assemblies and writing workshops to students at all ages.
Jason grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has also lived in Germany, Illinois, Brazil, Oregon and Utah. In 2007, while researching Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for his novel The Wednesday Letters, Jason fell so in love with the area that he moved his family westward from northern Virginia to Woodstock.
Jason is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys they love, and two grandchildren they love even more.
Jason also writes an occasional column which has appeared in over 100 newspapers, magazines and web sites across the United States including The Washington Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Deseret News, Forbes, CNN, FoxNews, and others.
Jason is also a popular speaker who speaks on the miracle of opening doors, faith, failure, the Christmas Jars movement, the lost art of letter writing, and many other topics. He has been seen on CNN, FoxNews, C-SPAN, and on local television stations around the country.
Each year Jason visits schools across the country and presents assemblies and writing workshops to students at all ages.
Jason grew up in Charlottesville, Virginia, but has also lived in Germany, Illinois, Brazil, Oregon and Utah. In 2007, while researching Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley for his novel The Wednesday Letters, Jason fell so in love with the area that he moved his family westward from northern Virginia to Woodstock.
Jason is married to Kodi Erekson Wright. They have two girls and two boys they love, and two grandchildren they love even more.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,988 reviews
February 20, 2009
My Book Club's latest selection...I don't have much to say about it except if you love Hallmarky books that are written on about a 5th grade reading level with characterization that reads, "But with eyes like that, Rain never blended into the crowd.", then you'll love it.
October 30, 2021
This was a cliche feel-good book. It only took a day to read and it had a nice message. That being said, it's not great literature and is entirely forgettable. I didn't identify with the main characters and I don't really like books in which rape plays a large part of the plot. As far as a love story between the deceased parents, it was very sweet and satisfying. Having the family pastor turn out to be the rapist and suprise father was a bit much for me. I just don't think I could ever have my pastor be a man who once raped me (even if he was high at the time), and was the secret father to my child. Forgiveness is real and true, but the consequences of sin, particularly rape, are also real and true. I feel I could forgive such an act through God's help, but that man would not ever become my own and my family's spiritual advisor. What husband would go to his wife's rapist for spiritual guidance? Two thumbs down.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 20, 2009
Ahirnya beres juga...
jadi begini para rekan durjana tercinta, menurut seorang durjanawanwati ini buku ide-nya bagus, sayangnya eksekusi gak terlalu bagus, ceritanya terlalu datar buat sang durjanawanwati. Sepertinya dia sedikit "terganggu" dengan karakter Jack yang dimatanya terlalu hebat ato agung *kalo dia jadi jack dijamin dia bakal cari itu brandal yang macem2 itu dan membunuhnya ~ dengan kampak pingky tentunya, hehehe* Dia lebih memilih buku2 karya nicholas sparks aja kalo nyari buku bertema romantis. Ato baca ulang lagi buku Doctors-nya Erich Segal, ato Love Story yang sempet bikin dia tersedu-sedu ketika pertama kali baca bukunya *begitupun filmnya*
Karena ide utama buku ini adalah tentang kata maaf yang bisa mengubah sesuatu, dan terinspirasi rekan durjanawan yang malah cerita tentang kisah cintanya yang menginspirasi seekor ayam bugil (hasanudin) untuk curhat di ripyu dia dan juga karena gue lagi butuh untuk meminta maap pada seseorang untuk sebuah "dosa" dimasa lalu...
jadi begini, dulu sekali ada anak laki-laki gendut *sekarang dah sixpack* yang masih berseragam putih biru dan duduk di kelas III. Ceritanya dia naksir cewe kelas laen neh. Awalnya sih si gendut ini cuek aja ama itu cewe, cuman gara2 sering digodain ama dijodoin ama temen2 cewenya sejak kelas I, ni anak laki2 sepertinya mulai "tertarik" juga ama si neng geulis ini *butuh waktu ampir tiga tahun* Pas kelas 1 dan 2 ni anak gendut ini ga pernah mikirin cewe. Ngapain sih? kecil2 dah pacaran.. gitu dia mikirnya. Maklumlah, dia masih doyan ngejar2 layangan putus, maen kelereng ama maen sepeda BMX. Tetapi si anak gendut ini tetep gak ngaku kalo dia mulai naksir si neng geulis ini dan temen2nya pun spertinya dah mulai bosan ngegodain dia. Masalah lain timbul, anak gendut ini sepertinya dikeceng (bukan ge er) juga ama anak cewe kelas sebelah. Sepertinya temen2 cewe si gendut sudah kehabisan bahan guyonan sehingga mereka mengalihkan sasaran cewe lain yang dirasa "cocok" buat si gendut. "Cocok" karena mungkin tingginya sedikit diatas si gendut dan bodynya (maap) sedikit lebih besar. Karena keseringan digodain.. "eh, kamu dapet salam dari si gendut" *kita2 gitu lah* ni cewe lama2 sepertinya "termakan" gosip itu. Si gendut ini lama-lama sebel juga ngeliatin si Miss T yang tambah lama kliatan tambah genit aja kalo ketemu. Karena kelasnya sebelahan, jadi tiap si gendut dateng ke sekolah dan mo masuk kelas, Miss T ini sepertinya sudah nungguin didepan pintu kelas dia, dan tiap papasan temen2 yang lain sibuk nyorakin. Reaksi Miss T selalu sama, tiap papasan dan kalo kebetulan si gendut ini ngelirik, mukanya langsung merah, nutupin pipinya tersipu-sipu sambil lari ke kelasnya diiringi sorakan temen2nya. Wah! sebel banget jadinya si gendut.
Suatu hari ada temen cewe biang gosip yang berbisik.. "eh, lo tau gak? neng geulis lagi diincer temen sekelasnya. Beneran gak naksir?" dengan dinginnya si gendut ini ngjawab, "Nggak, biarin aja..." *padahal hatinya panas, hahaha* Ahirnya si gendut memutuskan untuk kirim lagu lewat radio buat neng geulis (jaman dulu sptnya lagi seru2nya acara kirim2 lagu) Minta duit jigow ama emaknya dan larilah ke telp umum. Minta diputerin lagu "Take My Breath Away" (OST Top Gun yang lagi ngetop2nya) ama operatornya. Ngacir pulang, nyetel radio. Ampe acara mo bubaran lagu rikues si gendut gak diputer juga, kecewa.. niat matiin radio. Tiba2 penyiarnya ngomong.. "ini lagu terahir.. dirikues oleh Miss T *eh, gak salah denger nih* dipersembahkan buat.. *waks! nama lengkap si gendut disebutin, lengkap dengan kelas dan nama sekolahnya OH, NOOO!!!* sebuah lagu dari Air Supply berjudul I Can Wait Forever.." *TIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!* Dalam kondisi syok berat si gendut mendengar lagu...
.......................
All the emptiness inside me flows
All around and there's no way out
I'm just thinking so much of you
There was never any doubt
I can wait forever
If you say you'll be there too
I can wait forever if you will
I know it's worth it all, to spend my life alone with you
Pokonya sejak saat itu si gendut selalu syok berat tiap dengerin intro itu lagu. Lemes banget deh tiap dengerin intro itu lagu. Sebuah lagu yang menorehkan trauma akut buat si gendut..Pokoknya si gendut ini gak bisa lagi denger itu lagu ampe sekarang! Buntutnya sedikit merembet ke semua lagu2 Air Supply, pdhl dulu dia demen banget ama lagu yang judulnya Making Love Wearing Nothing At All.. eh, oh.. maap, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All kamsutna :D
Pas disekolah, cewe2 biang gosip nyegat..
"Eh, tau gak Miss T kirim lagu tuh, romantis banget" kata mereka cekikikan.
"Nggak, gak dengerin radio" kata si gendut dingin *padahal panik* "Emang napa?"
"Ahem.. beneran! dia ngirim lagu buat elo."
"Oya?" *tetep pasang tampang dingin*
Sejak kejadian itu, kelakuan Miss T ini tambah genit aja dimata si gendut, sehingga dia harus pasang tampang garang tiap ketemu dia. Di tambah patah hati karena neng geulis disamber si borokokok. Dua bulan terakhir di kelas tiga adalah "neraka" buat si gendut, hehehe.
Trauma I Can Wait Forever ternyata terbukti sekitar dua tahun yang lalu, ketika itu tiga orang cewe biang gosip itu nelp dan ngajak reuni kecil2an setelah belasan tahun gak pernah bertemu. Bersepakat ngumpul di kafe rumah nenek. Ketemuan lah sekitar jam 8 malam, ada yang bawa anak2nya juga. Ketika lagi asik ngalor ngidul ada temen yang menyelinap ke panggung (ada live musiknya) dan meyelipkan secarik kertas berisi rekues lagu.. ketika lagi asik makan sang penyanyi ngomong.. "berikut ini sebuah lagu yang khusus dipersembahkan untuk.." *nama si gendut di sebut lagi* dan mengalunlah intro lagu I Can Wait Forever yang ternyata masih bikin syok itu. Dan berlangsung adegan komikal yang bikin pengunjung laen heran. yak! si gendut dengan paniknya lari ke toilet sambil tutup kuping! Pas balik lagi setelah mengira2 lagunya dah kelar dia melihat temennya seperti orang yang udah ketawa abis2an. Mereka langsung komen.. "Lo masi trauma ama itu lagu? after all this years? Payah!" Yang lain nambahin, "Superman lemes kalo ketemu batu kripton, elo lemes denger air supply." si gendut cuman bisa manyun. Nah disitu jadi inget lagi ama kelakuan dulu yang udah segitu juteknya ampe melotot sebal tiap ketemu Miss T ini.
Um.. masalahnya bulan Mei depan temen2 smp satu angkatan si gendut mo bikin reuni. Hasil "investigasi" mengindikasikan bahwa neng geulis dan miss T ini termasuk salah satu dari mereka yang belum terlacak keberadaannya. Meski demikian, dia berharap neng geulis dan miss T ini bisa datang. Buat neng geulis pertanyaannya mungkin.. "kenapa dulu mau ama si borokokok?" :D dan yang terpenting si gendut ini bisa meminta maaf secara pantas kepada Miss T. Do'ain yah!
PS: Sejak keluar dari SMP ampe sekarang si gendut blom pernah ketemu lagi ama neng geulis & Miss T
erie
*teteup* masih blom bisa "berdamai" dengan lagu I Can Wait Forever
Merinding gitu looh
jadi begini para rekan durjana tercinta, menurut seorang durjanawanwati ini buku ide-nya bagus, sayangnya eksekusi gak terlalu bagus, ceritanya terlalu datar buat sang durjanawanwati. Sepertinya dia sedikit "terganggu" dengan karakter Jack yang dimatanya terlalu hebat ato agung *kalo dia jadi jack dijamin dia bakal cari itu brandal yang macem2 itu dan membunuhnya ~ dengan kampak pingky tentunya, hehehe* Dia lebih memilih buku2 karya nicholas sparks aja kalo nyari buku bertema romantis. Ato baca ulang lagi buku Doctors-nya Erich Segal, ato Love Story yang sempet bikin dia tersedu-sedu ketika pertama kali baca bukunya *begitupun filmnya*
Karena ide utama buku ini adalah tentang kata maaf yang bisa mengubah sesuatu, dan terinspirasi rekan durjanawan yang malah cerita tentang kisah cintanya yang menginspirasi seekor ayam bugil (hasanudin) untuk curhat di ripyu dia dan juga karena gue lagi butuh untuk meminta maap pada seseorang untuk sebuah "dosa" dimasa lalu...
jadi begini, dulu sekali ada anak laki-laki gendut *sekarang dah sixpack* yang masih berseragam putih biru dan duduk di kelas III. Ceritanya dia naksir cewe kelas laen neh. Awalnya sih si gendut ini cuek aja ama itu cewe, cuman gara2 sering digodain ama dijodoin ama temen2 cewenya sejak kelas I, ni anak laki2 sepertinya mulai "tertarik" juga ama si neng geulis ini *butuh waktu ampir tiga tahun* Pas kelas 1 dan 2 ni anak gendut ini ga pernah mikirin cewe. Ngapain sih? kecil2 dah pacaran.. gitu dia mikirnya. Maklumlah, dia masih doyan ngejar2 layangan putus, maen kelereng ama maen sepeda BMX. Tetapi si anak gendut ini tetep gak ngaku kalo dia mulai naksir si neng geulis ini dan temen2nya pun spertinya dah mulai bosan ngegodain dia. Masalah lain timbul, anak gendut ini sepertinya dikeceng (bukan ge er) juga ama anak cewe kelas sebelah. Sepertinya temen2 cewe si gendut sudah kehabisan bahan guyonan sehingga mereka mengalihkan sasaran cewe lain yang dirasa "cocok" buat si gendut. "Cocok" karena mungkin tingginya sedikit diatas si gendut dan bodynya (maap) sedikit lebih besar. Karena keseringan digodain.. "eh, kamu dapet salam dari si gendut" *kita2 gitu lah* ni cewe lama2 sepertinya "termakan" gosip itu. Si gendut ini lama-lama sebel juga ngeliatin si Miss T yang tambah lama kliatan tambah genit aja kalo ketemu. Karena kelasnya sebelahan, jadi tiap si gendut dateng ke sekolah dan mo masuk kelas, Miss T ini sepertinya sudah nungguin didepan pintu kelas dia, dan tiap papasan temen2 yang lain sibuk nyorakin. Reaksi Miss T selalu sama, tiap papasan dan kalo kebetulan si gendut ini ngelirik, mukanya langsung merah, nutupin pipinya tersipu-sipu sambil lari ke kelasnya diiringi sorakan temen2nya. Wah! sebel banget jadinya si gendut.
Suatu hari ada temen cewe biang gosip yang berbisik.. "eh, lo tau gak? neng geulis lagi diincer temen sekelasnya. Beneran gak naksir?" dengan dinginnya si gendut ini ngjawab, "Nggak, biarin aja..." *padahal hatinya panas, hahaha* Ahirnya si gendut memutuskan untuk kirim lagu lewat radio buat neng geulis (jaman dulu sptnya lagi seru2nya acara kirim2 lagu) Minta duit jigow ama emaknya dan larilah ke telp umum. Minta diputerin lagu "Take My Breath Away" (OST Top Gun yang lagi ngetop2nya) ama operatornya. Ngacir pulang, nyetel radio. Ampe acara mo bubaran lagu rikues si gendut gak diputer juga, kecewa.. niat matiin radio. Tiba2 penyiarnya ngomong.. "ini lagu terahir.. dirikues oleh Miss T *eh, gak salah denger nih* dipersembahkan buat.. *waks! nama lengkap si gendut disebutin, lengkap dengan kelas dan nama sekolahnya OH, NOOO!!!* sebuah lagu dari Air Supply berjudul I Can Wait Forever.." *TIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAK!!* Dalam kondisi syok berat si gendut mendengar lagu...
.......................
All the emptiness inside me flows
All around and there's no way out
I'm just thinking so much of you
There was never any doubt
I can wait forever
If you say you'll be there too
I can wait forever if you will
I know it's worth it all, to spend my life alone with you
Pokonya sejak saat itu si gendut selalu syok berat tiap dengerin intro itu lagu. Lemes banget deh tiap dengerin intro itu lagu. Sebuah lagu yang menorehkan trauma akut buat si gendut..Pokoknya si gendut ini gak bisa lagi denger itu lagu ampe sekarang! Buntutnya sedikit merembet ke semua lagu2 Air Supply, pdhl dulu dia demen banget ama lagu yang judulnya Making Love Wearing Nothing At All.. eh, oh.. maap, Making Love Out Of Nothing At All kamsutna :D
Pas disekolah, cewe2 biang gosip nyegat..
"Eh, tau gak Miss T kirim lagu tuh, romantis banget" kata mereka cekikikan.
"Nggak, gak dengerin radio" kata si gendut dingin *padahal panik* "Emang napa?"
"Ahem.. beneran! dia ngirim lagu buat elo."
"Oya?" *tetep pasang tampang dingin*
Sejak kejadian itu, kelakuan Miss T ini tambah genit aja dimata si gendut, sehingga dia harus pasang tampang garang tiap ketemu dia. Di tambah patah hati karena neng geulis disamber si borokokok. Dua bulan terakhir di kelas tiga adalah "neraka" buat si gendut, hehehe.
Trauma I Can Wait Forever ternyata terbukti sekitar dua tahun yang lalu, ketika itu tiga orang cewe biang gosip itu nelp dan ngajak reuni kecil2an setelah belasan tahun gak pernah bertemu. Bersepakat ngumpul di kafe rumah nenek. Ketemuan lah sekitar jam 8 malam, ada yang bawa anak2nya juga. Ketika lagi asik ngalor ngidul ada temen yang menyelinap ke panggung (ada live musiknya) dan meyelipkan secarik kertas berisi rekues lagu.. ketika lagi asik makan sang penyanyi ngomong.. "berikut ini sebuah lagu yang khusus dipersembahkan untuk.." *nama si gendut di sebut lagi* dan mengalunlah intro lagu I Can Wait Forever yang ternyata masih bikin syok itu. Dan berlangsung adegan komikal yang bikin pengunjung laen heran. yak! si gendut dengan paniknya lari ke toilet sambil tutup kuping! Pas balik lagi setelah mengira2 lagunya dah kelar dia melihat temennya seperti orang yang udah ketawa abis2an. Mereka langsung komen.. "Lo masi trauma ama itu lagu? after all this years? Payah!" Yang lain nambahin, "Superman lemes kalo ketemu batu kripton, elo lemes denger air supply." si gendut cuman bisa manyun. Nah disitu jadi inget lagi ama kelakuan dulu yang udah segitu juteknya ampe melotot sebal tiap ketemu Miss T ini.
Um.. masalahnya bulan Mei depan temen2 smp satu angkatan si gendut mo bikin reuni. Hasil "investigasi" mengindikasikan bahwa neng geulis dan miss T ini termasuk salah satu dari mereka yang belum terlacak keberadaannya. Meski demikian, dia berharap neng geulis dan miss T ini bisa datang. Buat neng geulis pertanyaannya mungkin.. "kenapa dulu mau ama si borokokok?" :D dan yang terpenting si gendut ini bisa meminta maaf secara pantas kepada Miss T. Do'ain yah!
PS: Sejak keluar dari SMP ampe sekarang si gendut blom pernah ketemu lagi ama neng geulis & Miss T
erie
*teteup* masih blom bisa "berdamai" dengan lagu I Can Wait Forever
Merinding gitu looh
March 15, 2008
This book was a very simple read. When I finished I definitely closed the book understanding the message the author, Jason Wright, was trying to get across to his readers: Forgiveness. The whole book is based on forgiveness. Forgiveness a husband gives to his wife; Forgiveness children give to their parents; a family forgiving an uncle; siblings forgiving the mistakes a brother has made; and forgiving of a man who caused a major life change for the whole family involved. All of the forgiveness is stemmed from a life time of letters written to the wife from the husband (both who have passed away) and father to the children reading the letters. Some of it is believable. I can believe that people will forgive certain circumstances and forgive their family and siblings for the things they have done wrong. But the last forgiveness in the book was way to unrealistic for me to believe. How they had this person in their lives as a result of their father forgiving, I just couldn’t believe it. I can not believe that a husband would become involved in the rehabilitation of another man who violated his wife is such a manner. And I can not believe this person would actually eventually become a vital part of this family. Possibly I did not walk away with the lesson learned and the powerful feeling of forgiveness that the author was trying to instill in his readers, because I say this is very far fetched and would not happen in real life.
I don’t believe I would recommend this book to my friends.
I don’t believe I would recommend this book to my friends.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2008
Talk about a made-for-tv movie to be featured on the Lifetime channel! Not my cup of tea---too cheesy and Hallmark-y (is that a word?). You could just hear the violin music playing in the background of this one. Yeah, it was a good, clean, easy read, and offered a good lesson on forgiveness and how we should be slow to judge others because we don't know their whole story, but SO much of it was too dramatized. The little plot shocker at the end of the story was too "YEAH RIGHT,(w/ eye roll)" for my skeptical mind. The one good thing I'll say about this book is what a cute, romantic, inlove couple Jack & Laurel were--makes everyone want to be a little gentler and a little more unconditional in their love.
November 21, 2009
********If you liked the book, don't read this********
Funny thing, this story echoed my own experience,
you see before my husband Benjamin and I got married, we dated in High school, then when I refused to put out Benjamin ran away to central america for two years, where, despite frequent attepts on his virtue, which he carefully chronicled in letters sent to me every wednesday, he remained as pure as the driven snow just as he had left (you know, like most juvenile delinquents). Except of course for his felonies, but they really didn't turn out to be that big of a deal after all.
The short mean awful lawyer that I dated for 5 years and nearly married, however was another story. A horrible man who took delight in squashing my dreams, and didn't allow me to believe in God. Bad bad guy. I stayed with him for 5 years. We got engaged. I had honor. I simply didn't want to go anywhere or do anything because developing my character was just too much work.
It all worked out in the end. Now we are happily writing to each other every wednesday about how great we all are. We have dinner every now and then with my Mother in Law's rapist. Oh, no, its not like you think. We aren't in denial,...He found God. And unlike other criminals I am sure he isn't lying. That's the power of forgiveness. Good thing I forgave him. You know it is usually the victim's responsibility to forgive the perpetrator, and by forgive I don't mean just stop hating him and go on with your life, but really forgive, pretend it never happened. Invite him over every week and let him babysit your kids. That's what we do.
Too bad the State Children's Protective services doesn't agree.
This book got 1 star because I am sure there exists an even worse book, for which I am reserving the 0 star rating....though I have yet to find it.
December 6, 2007
One more for the "best read" group ---
Jack and Laurel have been married for 39 years. Every Wednesday of those years Jack has written a letter to Laurel.
With his wife cradled in his arms, and before Jack takes his last breath, he scribbles his last "Wednesday Letter." When their adult children arrive to arrange the funeral, they discover boxes and boxes full of love letters that their father wrote to their mother each week on Wednesday. As they begin to open and read the letters, the children uncover things about their parents they didn't know but will treasure forever.
This faith based book has a beautifully powerful message about forgiveness.It makes me want to think about writing letters to my spouse.
Jack and Laurel have been married for 39 years. Every Wednesday of those years Jack has written a letter to Laurel.
With his wife cradled in his arms, and before Jack takes his last breath, he scribbles his last "Wednesday Letter." When their adult children arrive to arrange the funeral, they discover boxes and boxes full of love letters that their father wrote to their mother each week on Wednesday. As they begin to open and read the letters, the children uncover things about their parents they didn't know but will treasure forever.
This faith based book has a beautifully powerful message about forgiveness.It makes me want to think about writing letters to my spouse.
January 31, 2008
While reading the reviews on this book, I was so excited to open and read. However, this book was NOT what I was expecting. I feel like the author was trying to hard to produce another acclaimed novel with a Title that entices, but failed to deliver. The adolescent verbage used by the characters cheapened the novel a bit. I would not have titled this book The Wednesday Letters due to the fact that the letters, although an integral part of the book, was not what the book was about.
February 15, 2009
saya memiliki satu pemikiran sejak dulu. bahwa jika saya bertemu sosok yang saya cintai, dan menghabiskan seluruh sisa hidup saya dengannya nanti, saya ingin kematian menjemput saya duluan dibanding dia (egois ya? lol). karena bagi saya, ungkapan 'hingga maut memisahkan' jelas tidak dapat diatur dalam waktu yang sama. dan jika itu dapat terjadi, seperti sebuah bonus. jadi jika boleh memiliki satu keinginan egois terkait orang yang dicintai, saya akan memilih keinginan tadi. 'pergi duluan'.
kisah yang diceritakan di buku ini bermula dari kematian sepasang suami istri di usia lanjutnya --dengan sakit yang diderita masing-masing, meninggalkan dua putra dan seorang putri, juga kisah percintaan mereka selama hidup yang tersebar di tiap surat yang ditinggalkan jack, sang suami, untuk istrinya, laurel -- dan mengakhiri kisah hidup mereka dengan maut yang menjemput pada waktu hampir bersamaan. tidak direncanakan. tapi datang menyambut begitu saja seolah menyempurnakan kebersamaan mereka dalam hidup yang telah diikat erat tali cinta. terpisah oleh maut, tapi juga dipersatukan oleh maut itu sendiri.
dari sana cerita bergulir ke orang-orang sekeliling mereka. keluarga-keluarga dan para pasangan lain di sekitar mereka. dari anak, tetangga, sanak saudara, relasi, hingga pelanggan penginapan yang mereka kelola selama hidup. kita disuguhi ragam kondisi kehidupan dan percintaan yang juga dialami orang-orang ini. orang-orang yang telah bersentuhan dengan mereka. tidak semuanya punya awalan atau perjalanan yang mulus, atau kisah happy ending. tapi cinta tetap ada. tidak melulu cinta antar kekasih. cinta juga ditemukan dari hubungan persaudaraan dan kekeluargaan. pada sesama. mereka memiliki banyak keluarga instan. orang-orang yang awalnya asing lalu terhubung satu sama lain dan menjadi bagian hidup seperti keluarga sendiri. ada banyak empati disana. juga ada banyak maaf. salah satunya dalam kisah cinta pasangan jack dan laurel sendiri. ditemukan belakangan oleh anak-anak mereka lewat surat-surat yang terkumpul di gudang.
akhir kata, jika hidup dan mati merupakan pasangan, saya rasa cinta dan maaf juga demikian...
3.5 bintang.
ps. saya pernah melakukan hal serupa tema cerita buku ini, satu kali. dulu. meninggalkan satu buku penuh berisi tulisan tangan saya pada seseorang. tujuan saya, agar dia tetap masih dapat saya temani lewat tulisan tersebut, hari demi hari. hingga bertahun-tahun. karena --lain dengan kisah di buku ini dimana tulisan sang suami ditujukan pada istrinya-- saya, dulu, harus meninggalkan dia dengan memilih jalan lain.
kisah yang diceritakan di buku ini bermula dari kematian sepasang suami istri di usia lanjutnya --dengan sakit yang diderita masing-masing, meninggalkan dua putra dan seorang putri, juga kisah percintaan mereka selama hidup yang tersebar di tiap surat yang ditinggalkan jack, sang suami, untuk istrinya, laurel -- dan mengakhiri kisah hidup mereka dengan maut yang menjemput pada waktu hampir bersamaan. tidak direncanakan. tapi datang menyambut begitu saja seolah menyempurnakan kebersamaan mereka dalam hidup yang telah diikat erat tali cinta. terpisah oleh maut, tapi juga dipersatukan oleh maut itu sendiri.
dari sana cerita bergulir ke orang-orang sekeliling mereka. keluarga-keluarga dan para pasangan lain di sekitar mereka. dari anak, tetangga, sanak saudara, relasi, hingga pelanggan penginapan yang mereka kelola selama hidup. kita disuguhi ragam kondisi kehidupan dan percintaan yang juga dialami orang-orang ini. orang-orang yang telah bersentuhan dengan mereka. tidak semuanya punya awalan atau perjalanan yang mulus, atau kisah happy ending. tapi cinta tetap ada. tidak melulu cinta antar kekasih. cinta juga ditemukan dari hubungan persaudaraan dan kekeluargaan. pada sesama. mereka memiliki banyak keluarga instan. orang-orang yang awalnya asing lalu terhubung satu sama lain dan menjadi bagian hidup seperti keluarga sendiri. ada banyak empati disana. juga ada banyak maaf. salah satunya dalam kisah cinta pasangan jack dan laurel sendiri. ditemukan belakangan oleh anak-anak mereka lewat surat-surat yang terkumpul di gudang.
akhir kata, jika hidup dan mati merupakan pasangan, saya rasa cinta dan maaf juga demikian...
3.5 bintang.
ps. saya pernah melakukan hal serupa tema cerita buku ini, satu kali. dulu. meninggalkan satu buku penuh berisi tulisan tangan saya pada seseorang. tujuan saya, agar dia tetap masih dapat saya temani lewat tulisan tersebut, hari demi hari. hingga bertahun-tahun. karena --lain dengan kisah di buku ini dimana tulisan sang suami ditujukan pada istrinya-- saya, dulu, harus meninggalkan dia dengan memilih jalan lain.
September 14, 2011
This was one of the stupidest books I have ever read. Well, to be honest, it was so poorly written that I could not do much more than skim it. If you want a book about forgiveness and redemption, or choices for goodness sake, read East of Eden or Crime and Punishment or something worthwhile. Had it been merely "cutesy" or stupid, I would say, yeah, go ahead and read it. SPOILER: The problem, however, was that this MALE author suggested that his female fictional character believed God had sent a man to rape her (and so did not abort the baby). So, instead of being merely sort of dumb, I found the book extremely offensive, both as a woman and as a religious person.
Oh, and I nearly forgot the most offensive part -- the rapist "didn't remember" the offensive act. He saw her as an angel before, and as a crumpled person after. So, in this book, rape is an act of love, something that one does when drunk and over come by beauty, not an act of violence, and the rapist is almost as innocent as the victim, since he doesn't remember all of the gruesome steps he must have taken to perform the deed.
Oh, and I nearly forgot the most offensive part -- the rapist "didn't remember" the offensive act. He saw her as an angel before, and as a crumpled person after. So, in this book, rape is an act of love, something that one does when drunk and over come by beauty, not an act of violence, and the rapist is almost as innocent as the victim, since he doesn't remember all of the gruesome steps he must have taken to perform the deed.
December 3, 2007
Maybe this book is good. I wouldn't know, I couldn't get interested enough to go past the first few chapters. Fuck off book.
February 22, 2008
I have decided that I am a big fan of Jason F. Wright; this is the second book of his that I've read. I liked Christmas Jars, but I loved The Wednesday Letters. Each of the characters were so real and charming. I thought the story was beautiful but I could have read a whole book of just Jack’s letters. There was only one thing that really bothered me and it really bothered me. When they read the letters and came across the letter of November 1. 1956 (pg. 144) and they all just assume from the tone of the letter that their mother cheated, not one of them said “NOWAY, that’s not our mother.” And really shouldn’t they have known her and her character. How could they just believe that about her? I guess it bugs me because the underlying message is no matter how good the person is humans are ready to believe the worst of someone. That bothered me. And as a mother I think gosh I hope my children wouldn’t so easily believe the worst just because it looks a certain way.
I enjoyed watching Laurel and Jacks children getting to know them as people, not just their parents. It made me think about people I am close to and how I know them at the different stages of their lives but they are even more than what they have been, and will become changed people through their experiences and I might be there to experience it with them but I might not be. This book also caused me to pull out “Wednesday Letters” that I had written to my sister while she was on her mission and boy those letters carry a lot of history and frame a time in my life. Sadly I was not as funny as Jack but I am sure glad she kept those letters; it is fun to read over them. The Wednesday Letters is an easy and enjoyable read. If you are sensitive you’ll need to have a box of Kleenex handy I was crying and blowing snot bubbles a couple of times during this book. Secretly I am hoping that Jason F. Wright will have a desire to reveal all of Malcolm’s Wednesday Letters.
I enjoyed watching Laurel and Jacks children getting to know them as people, not just their parents. It made me think about people I am close to and how I know them at the different stages of their lives but they are even more than what they have been, and will become changed people through their experiences and I might be there to experience it with them but I might not be. This book also caused me to pull out “Wednesday Letters” that I had written to my sister while she was on her mission and boy those letters carry a lot of history and frame a time in my life. Sadly I was not as funny as Jack but I am sure glad she kept those letters; it is fun to read over them. The Wednesday Letters is an easy and enjoyable read. If you are sensitive you’ll need to have a box of Kleenex handy I was crying and blowing snot bubbles a couple of times during this book. Secretly I am hoping that Jason F. Wright will have a desire to reveal all of Malcolm’s Wednesday Letters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 25, 2009
Surat Cinta di Hari Rabu demikian judulnya. Tamatpun di hari Rabu. Kilasan mengenai sepasang kekasih yang terpisah oleh maut hanya dalam rentangan menit. Karena begitu yang satu menyusul tak lama setelah kepulangan kekasihnya. Lalu dimana arti surat-surat itu? Saya yang suka sejarah menyebutnya surat-surat itu adalah artefak perjalanan mereka.
Seremeh itu kah?
Artefak yang terkumpul lama sejak mulai pertemuan hingga menjelang perpisahan mereka menjadi tak remeh tentunya. Di dalamnya ada torehan naik-turun perasaan satu sama lainnya. Ada bahagia yang tercatat indah. Ada juga luka yang menyayat yang tak mungkin terhapuskan. Semuanya ada demi sebuah kesempurnaan cerita mereka berdua: Jack dan Laurel.
Ketika mereka berdua berpulang dan meninggalkan tumpukannnya, tinggal ketiga anak mereka, Mathew, Malcolm, dan Samantha yang menjadi juri utama atas kesempurnaan cerita itu. Kesanggupan mereka menerima kedua orang tua dan keluarga mereka secara wajar. Jack dan Laurel adalah pasangan biasa. Yang tidak biasa adalah mereka mau menerima semua cerita yang ada di antara mereka berdua dengan utuh. Bahkan keutuhan itu ada dalam kata "maaf". Kata itu menjadi menu utama kisah ini.
Bila akhirnya saya menamatkan buku ini saya pun memaafkan kekurangan dalam penerjemahannya. Di halaman sekitar 90-110, saya menemukan kalimat-kalimat yang penerjemahannya menjadi sangat word-to-word. Terasa sekali kata "bahwa" adalah alibahasa dari to be. Kata "dari" yang berceceran adalah terjemahan dari "of" yang sangat tidak pas dalam bahasa Indonesia sehari-hari. Saya kontan ingat kejadian saya ceting dengan seorang kawan yang belum lama tinggal di luar negeri. Dia menuliskan, "abdi teu nyarios sunda!" Saya menukas, "weh baru berapa bulan, grammar elo dah Inggris banget yah! Bahasa sunda mah harusnya mah, "abdi teu tiasa nyarios sunda." Sepenggal kata "nyarios" yang membedakan struktur bahasa yang berbeda antara Inggris dan Sunda. Teman saya itu menggunakan bahasa sunda dengan grammar Inggris. bandingkan saja, I cant' speak english = i teu nyarios sunda. Demikian juga dengan kata "bahwa" dan "dari" yang tidak tertera dengan tepat di beberapa halaman buku ini.
Surat Cinta di Hari Rabu, dimanakah cinta dalam buku ini? Pernah saya berdiskusi gibranian dengan seorang kawan di Bandung dulu. When we talk about love, i mean i see both side of your partner. And you still accept those two sides as a whole package of he/she is. Dua sisi menyenangkan dan menyebalkan berbarengan, and then you may call it love. Jika hanya satu sisi, either anda sedang mabuk kepayang, atau sedang membenci saja. Begitu kesimpulan para jombloers yang cenderung so' wise dari sebuah kost-kost-an berbentuk Kapal Titanic di Jatinangor. :D
Jack tetap melanjutkan menulis surat kepada Laurel. Memaafkan setelah terluka, melanjutkan sesuatu yang sudah diniatkan diawal mereka bertemu. Saya pun begitu. Saya tetap membacanya dengan semangat kedurjanaan demi mengejar rekan durjana yang lain, walau sempat patah semangat dengan terjemahan dan beberapa tokoh yang berkesan figuran dan kurang dikembangkan. Saya memaafkan kekurangan terjemahan buku ini dan mengakui kelebihan idenya untuk mengangkat sebuah kisah dari pasangan biasa. Menerima keutuhan novel ini dan menamatkan bacaan bulan pinky ini.
Hore!!!
3 bintang lah!
NB: Weks, baru nyadar lupa hatur tenkyu sama yang punya. Padahal yang punya aja belum baca. :D
Thx to Roos yang biarpun belum baca dah mau meminjamkan buku ini agar para durjana bisa mempinky-kan February ini.
***
Sebagai awalan cukuplah sebuah kisah cinta saya tuliskan di sini. Kisah cinta saya kepada seorang perempuan. Dia itu bawel, sumpah! Sering suka ribet ketika saya sedang autis. Jadinya saya suka sewot. Udah tau lagi asyik sendiri. Walau tampang saya kesannya mumet, saya kalo lagi autis sedang meikmati isi kepala. Jangan ganggu, itu kata saya dalam hati. Sikap perhatian biasanya malah jadi bibit ribut.
Dia tinggal di Tangerang begitu saya lulus SMA dan kuliah di Jatinangor. Dia sih suka ujug-ujug nongol. Satu kali nongol waktu saya lagi ospek. Namun waktu itu ospeknya sampe sore. Persiapan mau Ospek pusat di Dipati Ukur. Saya pulang dari kampus masih nongkrong di Munggaran. Warung makan favorit mahasiswa baru di Jatinangor. Sampe kamar dah mau isya. Masuk ke dalam, di meja saya udah ada makanan dan buah, serta selembar surat. (Meuni jaduls yah, gak dink emang belum jaman sms waktu itu) Isi suratnya...he he he salah satunya sih, "kurangin rokok!" :D Itu sih bahasa alus untuk berhenti ngerokok :D Perempuan itu memang orang jawa. Bukan Banten kayak saya. Dia datang dan langsung pulang. Tidak menginap, karena dipikir saya sudah pergi ke Bandung. Demi datang ke Ospek di Dipati Ukur yang mulainya subuh. Duh ada sedih juga, datang jauh-jauh langsung balik. Ya udah lah, saya mah tidak sempat pusing. Harus packing alat-alat Ospek besok dan segera nginap ke kost teman buat berangkat bareng. Mari nikmati perbaikan gizi yang ada di meja.
Itu awal saya pisah dari perempuan itu. Dianya aja yang suka sok khawatir. Suka tanya-tanya soal makan. Istilah dianya mah jajan, untuk setiap aktifitas makan di luar rumah. Kayaknya dia lupa saya mah gak doyan makan, doyannya ngemil :D. Nah ini istilah saya untuk jajan. Jajan kue, bukan jajan nasi goreng. [wah jadi inget nasi goreng pedro yang porsi kuli itu :D Kalo makan di situ celetukannya, "makan apa tumpengan?" =))]
Lambat laun, saya bisa juga melupakan perempuan itu. Saya hanyut dengan dunia kampus. Kampus saya FISIP. Jagonya pencetak tukang kecap nomer satu. Intrik dan gosip biasa. Sambit lalu kabur itu jurus. Tebar omong lalu diem ketika diminta pertanggung jawaban adalah kemahiran. Gak semua sih. Seru kok ngumpul bareng orang dengan segala model, ngawadug, cekakakan, hingga ngobrol serius adalah model orangnya. Ada juga kaum hore-horeis, alias Gaulis kata teman saya. (gak ada hubungannya sama Jenderal dan Presiden Perancis yah). Berorganisasi itu berteman dan makan gratis. :D Saya datang ke rapat dengan tidak lupa, cemilan adalah sasaran. Saya suka nyambit orang yang menceramahi soal heroisme mahasiswa namun lupa, mahasiswa juga manusia yang harus melek sama mahasiswi.
Makanya saya paling menganjurkan untuk melirik ke gedung fakultas kebanyakan gadis (FKG) di sebelah. Mengadakan aksi bersama mahasiswi fakultas selebelah yang kalau ke kampus suka bawa "kotak amal". Duh mahasiswi solehah mereka itu. Ke kampus sebelahnya lagi juga gak apa-apa kok. Fakultas kedokteran itu juga boleh. Saya pernah punya obesesi jadi dokter. Walau pupus karena dalam bayangan bodoh saya jadi mahasiwa kedokteran itu harus berani pegang tikus dan liat darah berceceran. Yang pertama emang bodoh, yang kedua saya gak salah-salah amat lah. Nah, demi obsesi itu, begitu masuk HI saya langsung berikrar saya akan seperti Utut Adiyanto. Bukan jadi pecaturnya, tapi punya gebetan anak kedokteran :D. Begitulah kredo kaum hore-horeis. Hidup bersosial tanpa lupa suka-suka dan hihihi.
Lambat laun, kaum hore-horeis alias Gaulis mendapatkan lawan. Ada saja kaum yang tidak suka. Dibilang gak peduli sosial lah, gak peka jaman, gak melek politik, sampai gak punya masa depan. Eh, yang dibilang gitu temen saya dink. Dia tidak bermasa depan emang. Soalnya kerja di Depkeu sekarang :D. Sampai suatu masa ada saatnya saya kena batunya. Dikeroyok sana-sini. Saya cuma bersabar saja waktu itu. Dalam bayangan saya, Roy Martin dalam "Cintaku di Kampus Biru" akhirnya happy ending kok! "Kuat-kuat, harus kuat!" saya menyemangati diri sendiri. Anjing menggongong kafilah tetep hore-hore!
Ternyata, saya bukan lah Roy Martin, juga bukan Roy Haris. Roy Martin dapat cewek abisng ospek, saya mah cuma dituduh cukur demi gebetan Maba. :D Roy Haris menyelesaikan masalahnya di gelap nyawang, saya mah gelap teuing. Dunia menyempit. Bahkan ketika seorang sahabat berkata, "itu cuma analisa lo aja kok to!" Wah, sudah jadi parno saya di mata sahabat sendiri.
Saya diam di kamar. So' mikir. Buka laci, buka diari. (hehehe dulu saya suka nulis di diari loh! dear diari hahaha gak getu sih!) Nemu surat pengurangan rokok yang pas waktu itu seperti ngeledek. "Pusing, kok jangan ngerokok", dalih saya yang ahli hisap ini. Sebatang rokok malah saya sulut. Pusing juga. Saya pergi ke wartel. Pijit nomer interlokal. Suara halo terdengar saya mengucap, "Bu, ade sayang ibu!" "Kamu kenapa nan...?" "Gak papa, doain yah" "Ya udah, ibu sayang dan doain kok." Legaa... cinta tak bertepuk sebelah tangan. "udah yah, telpon mahal neh!" hehe so' bokek padahal mah takut ceurik.
Huh!!!! Buang napas panjang. Suara perempuan itu sebuah mantra ajaib. Termasuk kata "sayang" yang jarang keucap dari mulut saya itu. hehehe
Siap lah, berani saya mah sama semua yang anti-hore-horeis! Saya akan tunjukan kaum hore-horeis adalah kaum paling revolusioner! Tidak ceurik saya mah, da ceurik mah mahal biaya telponnya :D
Dengan tangan terkepal ke udara, saya siap mengibarkan panji kaum hore-horeis revolusioner!! Merdeka dan sayang ibu! itu motonya :D
Duh my ibu, I love you full-ah!
Durjana juga manusia...
punya rasa, punya hati
jangan samakan dengan...
Pisau belatiiiii..!!!
Salam tiga jari pake kutek rekan durjana sekalian!
Seremeh itu kah?
Artefak yang terkumpul lama sejak mulai pertemuan hingga menjelang perpisahan mereka menjadi tak remeh tentunya. Di dalamnya ada torehan naik-turun perasaan satu sama lainnya. Ada bahagia yang tercatat indah. Ada juga luka yang menyayat yang tak mungkin terhapuskan. Semuanya ada demi sebuah kesempurnaan cerita mereka berdua: Jack dan Laurel.
Ketika mereka berdua berpulang dan meninggalkan tumpukannnya, tinggal ketiga anak mereka, Mathew, Malcolm, dan Samantha yang menjadi juri utama atas kesempurnaan cerita itu. Kesanggupan mereka menerima kedua orang tua dan keluarga mereka secara wajar. Jack dan Laurel adalah pasangan biasa. Yang tidak biasa adalah mereka mau menerima semua cerita yang ada di antara mereka berdua dengan utuh. Bahkan keutuhan itu ada dalam kata "maaf". Kata itu menjadi menu utama kisah ini.
Bila akhirnya saya menamatkan buku ini saya pun memaafkan kekurangan dalam penerjemahannya. Di halaman sekitar 90-110, saya menemukan kalimat-kalimat yang penerjemahannya menjadi sangat word-to-word. Terasa sekali kata "bahwa" adalah alibahasa dari to be. Kata "dari" yang berceceran adalah terjemahan dari "of" yang sangat tidak pas dalam bahasa Indonesia sehari-hari. Saya kontan ingat kejadian saya ceting dengan seorang kawan yang belum lama tinggal di luar negeri. Dia menuliskan, "abdi teu nyarios sunda!" Saya menukas, "weh baru berapa bulan, grammar elo dah Inggris banget yah! Bahasa sunda mah harusnya mah, "abdi teu tiasa nyarios sunda." Sepenggal kata "nyarios" yang membedakan struktur bahasa yang berbeda antara Inggris dan Sunda. Teman saya itu menggunakan bahasa sunda dengan grammar Inggris. bandingkan saja, I cant' speak english = i teu nyarios sunda. Demikian juga dengan kata "bahwa" dan "dari" yang tidak tertera dengan tepat di beberapa halaman buku ini.
Surat Cinta di Hari Rabu, dimanakah cinta dalam buku ini? Pernah saya berdiskusi gibranian dengan seorang kawan di Bandung dulu. When we talk about love, i mean i see both side of your partner. And you still accept those two sides as a whole package of he/she is. Dua sisi menyenangkan dan menyebalkan berbarengan, and then you may call it love. Jika hanya satu sisi, either anda sedang mabuk kepayang, atau sedang membenci saja. Begitu kesimpulan para jombloers yang cenderung so' wise dari sebuah kost-kost-an berbentuk Kapal Titanic di Jatinangor. :D
Jack tetap melanjutkan menulis surat kepada Laurel. Memaafkan setelah terluka, melanjutkan sesuatu yang sudah diniatkan diawal mereka bertemu. Saya pun begitu. Saya tetap membacanya dengan semangat kedurjanaan demi mengejar rekan durjana yang lain, walau sempat patah semangat dengan terjemahan dan beberapa tokoh yang berkesan figuran dan kurang dikembangkan. Saya memaafkan kekurangan terjemahan buku ini dan mengakui kelebihan idenya untuk mengangkat sebuah kisah dari pasangan biasa. Menerima keutuhan novel ini dan menamatkan bacaan bulan pinky ini.
Hore!!!
3 bintang lah!
NB: Weks, baru nyadar lupa hatur tenkyu sama yang punya. Padahal yang punya aja belum baca. :D
Thx to Roos yang biarpun belum baca dah mau meminjamkan buku ini agar para durjana bisa mempinky-kan February ini.
***
Sebagai awalan cukuplah sebuah kisah cinta saya tuliskan di sini. Kisah cinta saya kepada seorang perempuan. Dia itu bawel, sumpah! Sering suka ribet ketika saya sedang autis. Jadinya saya suka sewot. Udah tau lagi asyik sendiri. Walau tampang saya kesannya mumet, saya kalo lagi autis sedang meikmati isi kepala. Jangan ganggu, itu kata saya dalam hati. Sikap perhatian biasanya malah jadi bibit ribut.
Dia tinggal di Tangerang begitu saya lulus SMA dan kuliah di Jatinangor. Dia sih suka ujug-ujug nongol. Satu kali nongol waktu saya lagi ospek. Namun waktu itu ospeknya sampe sore. Persiapan mau Ospek pusat di Dipati Ukur. Saya pulang dari kampus masih nongkrong di Munggaran. Warung makan favorit mahasiswa baru di Jatinangor. Sampe kamar dah mau isya. Masuk ke dalam, di meja saya udah ada makanan dan buah, serta selembar surat. (Meuni jaduls yah, gak dink emang belum jaman sms waktu itu) Isi suratnya...he he he salah satunya sih, "kurangin rokok!" :D Itu sih bahasa alus untuk berhenti ngerokok :D Perempuan itu memang orang jawa. Bukan Banten kayak saya. Dia datang dan langsung pulang. Tidak menginap, karena dipikir saya sudah pergi ke Bandung. Demi datang ke Ospek di Dipati Ukur yang mulainya subuh. Duh ada sedih juga, datang jauh-jauh langsung balik. Ya udah lah, saya mah tidak sempat pusing. Harus packing alat-alat Ospek besok dan segera nginap ke kost teman buat berangkat bareng. Mari nikmati perbaikan gizi yang ada di meja.
Itu awal saya pisah dari perempuan itu. Dianya aja yang suka sok khawatir. Suka tanya-tanya soal makan. Istilah dianya mah jajan, untuk setiap aktifitas makan di luar rumah. Kayaknya dia lupa saya mah gak doyan makan, doyannya ngemil :D. Nah ini istilah saya untuk jajan. Jajan kue, bukan jajan nasi goreng. [wah jadi inget nasi goreng pedro yang porsi kuli itu :D Kalo makan di situ celetukannya, "makan apa tumpengan?" =))]
Lambat laun, saya bisa juga melupakan perempuan itu. Saya hanyut dengan dunia kampus. Kampus saya FISIP. Jagonya pencetak tukang kecap nomer satu. Intrik dan gosip biasa. Sambit lalu kabur itu jurus. Tebar omong lalu diem ketika diminta pertanggung jawaban adalah kemahiran. Gak semua sih. Seru kok ngumpul bareng orang dengan segala model, ngawadug, cekakakan, hingga ngobrol serius adalah model orangnya. Ada juga kaum hore-horeis, alias Gaulis kata teman saya. (gak ada hubungannya sama Jenderal dan Presiden Perancis yah). Berorganisasi itu berteman dan makan gratis. :D Saya datang ke rapat dengan tidak lupa, cemilan adalah sasaran. Saya suka nyambit orang yang menceramahi soal heroisme mahasiswa namun lupa, mahasiswa juga manusia yang harus melek sama mahasiswi.
Makanya saya paling menganjurkan untuk melirik ke gedung fakultas kebanyakan gadis (FKG) di sebelah. Mengadakan aksi bersama mahasiswi fakultas selebelah yang kalau ke kampus suka bawa "kotak amal". Duh mahasiswi solehah mereka itu. Ke kampus sebelahnya lagi juga gak apa-apa kok. Fakultas kedokteran itu juga boleh. Saya pernah punya obesesi jadi dokter. Walau pupus karena dalam bayangan bodoh saya jadi mahasiwa kedokteran itu harus berani pegang tikus dan liat darah berceceran. Yang pertama emang bodoh, yang kedua saya gak salah-salah amat lah. Nah, demi obsesi itu, begitu masuk HI saya langsung berikrar saya akan seperti Utut Adiyanto. Bukan jadi pecaturnya, tapi punya gebetan anak kedokteran :D. Begitulah kredo kaum hore-horeis. Hidup bersosial tanpa lupa suka-suka dan hihihi.
Lambat laun, kaum hore-horeis alias Gaulis mendapatkan lawan. Ada saja kaum yang tidak suka. Dibilang gak peduli sosial lah, gak peka jaman, gak melek politik, sampai gak punya masa depan. Eh, yang dibilang gitu temen saya dink. Dia tidak bermasa depan emang. Soalnya kerja di Depkeu sekarang :D. Sampai suatu masa ada saatnya saya kena batunya. Dikeroyok sana-sini. Saya cuma bersabar saja waktu itu. Dalam bayangan saya, Roy Martin dalam "Cintaku di Kampus Biru" akhirnya happy ending kok! "Kuat-kuat, harus kuat!" saya menyemangati diri sendiri. Anjing menggongong kafilah tetep hore-hore!
Ternyata, saya bukan lah Roy Martin, juga bukan Roy Haris. Roy Martin dapat cewek abisng ospek, saya mah cuma dituduh cukur demi gebetan Maba. :D Roy Haris menyelesaikan masalahnya di gelap nyawang, saya mah gelap teuing. Dunia menyempit. Bahkan ketika seorang sahabat berkata, "itu cuma analisa lo aja kok to!" Wah, sudah jadi parno saya di mata sahabat sendiri.
Saya diam di kamar. So' mikir. Buka laci, buka diari. (hehehe dulu saya suka nulis di diari loh! dear diari hahaha gak getu sih!) Nemu surat pengurangan rokok yang pas waktu itu seperti ngeledek. "Pusing, kok jangan ngerokok", dalih saya yang ahli hisap ini. Sebatang rokok malah saya sulut. Pusing juga. Saya pergi ke wartel. Pijit nomer interlokal. Suara halo terdengar saya mengucap, "Bu, ade sayang ibu!" "Kamu kenapa nan...?" "Gak papa, doain yah" "Ya udah, ibu sayang dan doain kok." Legaa... cinta tak bertepuk sebelah tangan. "udah yah, telpon mahal neh!" hehe so' bokek padahal mah takut ceurik.
Huh!!!! Buang napas panjang. Suara perempuan itu sebuah mantra ajaib. Termasuk kata "sayang" yang jarang keucap dari mulut saya itu. hehehe
Siap lah, berani saya mah sama semua yang anti-hore-horeis! Saya akan tunjukan kaum hore-horeis adalah kaum paling revolusioner! Tidak ceurik saya mah, da ceurik mah mahal biaya telponnya :D
Dengan tangan terkepal ke udara, saya siap mengibarkan panji kaum hore-horeis revolusioner!! Merdeka dan sayang ibu! itu motonya :D
Duh my ibu, I love you full-ah!
Durjana juga manusia...
punya rasa, punya hati
jangan samakan dengan...
Pisau belatiiiii..!!!
Salam tiga jari pake kutek rekan durjana sekalian!
September 3, 2019
Loved this book surprised by the ending
January 9, 2008
Some of the characters in this story were engaging and well-drawn; others were so little-developed they may as well have not been included at all. The premise of the story—that the father of this clan could have written fifty years-worth of weekly letters to his wife and the children never knew a thing about it—strained credulity a little, but I've read worse.
I devoured the book because I wanted the solution to one of the mysteries it presented (the paternity of the second son); but I closed the back cover a little disappointed that the other mystery remained undisclosed (the contents of the letter). Once again, why even bring it up, then, if you're not going to solve it for the readers?
It was a fine, easy, light read; but nothing deep nor earth-shaking here, and for me a single reading is adequate.
I devoured the book because I wanted the solution to one of the mysteries it presented (the paternity of the second son); but I closed the back cover a little disappointed that the other mystery remained undisclosed (the contents of the letter). Once again, why even bring it up, then, if you're not going to solve it for the readers?
It was a fine, easy, light read; but nothing deep nor earth-shaking here, and for me a single reading is adequate.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 28, 2018
I am a sucker for books that include lots of letters. In this one, the letters are key to the story but don’t dominate the narrative. The undertone of faith and forgiveness is very clear and makes everything fall together beautifully.
December 19, 2010
This book attracted me because I'm a sucker for any book that involves letters. I've read a couple of others recently that I've enjoyed. Maybe one star is a bit harsh for this. I did finish it after all. But, there were a couple of moments that I considered not doing so. The only thing that kept me going was the fact that the book was short and there was a mystery element, so I figured I might as well hang around and see what happened. I'm surprised this is a NYT bestseller. It is not, in my opinion, well written. The character development is poor and as a result, none of the characters appealed to me at all. The descriptors were cliche. It felt like it was written for a teenage audience or something. On a bright note, I think it's good to read a bad book once in a while. It really makes me appreciate one that is well done.
November 16, 2008
This is a story of adult children who come home to bury their parents and find boxes of letters their father had written to their mother every Wednesday during their 39 years of marriage. Lots of secrets and lots of truths and how faith and forgiveness are the lessons good parents teach their children at any age. It reads fast and I cried.
February 21, 2018
3.5 stars
November 8, 2020
This beautiful love story has a lot of mixed reviews, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. A true love story at its core that reminded me (sorry but it did) of The Notebook. It resonated with me perhaps a lot because of my own parents' love story. My dad didn't write Mom love letters every week, but boy did he love her and he was a romantic at heart. And the same thing happened to me after my parents passed away that happened to Jack and Laurel's children.
My own parents were married for almost 66 years when my mom passed at 81 and dad was in a rehab from a stroke at the time Mom died. I was so thankful because from that day on he never remembered she had passed away and he would continue to tell us that Mom had come to bring him breakfast that day or other very sweet, endearing little moments of a memory he had of her such as the two of them watching TV together in his room after she died. He never let her go!
Jack and Laurel had been married for 39 years and every Wednesday Jack wrote a letter to Laurel. When Jack was dying, Laurel was thankfully there to hold him in her arms and would you believe that he still managed to write out his last Wednesday love letter to her? Okay...I am sappy but that's the sweetest thing ever, so (yes) I cried. I especially cried when their children came home to arrange for Jack and Laurel's funeral since they passed away at the same time. Naturally, they went through their parents' things and they found the letters, which is exactly what happened to me and my siblings. The saved cards and letters from their children (written to them over the years) brought back memories and a part of my parents that I never really realized and that's just how sentimental my dad was. One of the most beautiful things I ever read was a beautiful love letter Dad had written to Mom. It was so him! For birthdays and especially anniversaries of their first date ever and their wedding day, Dad always wrote Mom little letters and left them around so she'd have to go on a hunt for her gift. She'd get a little exasperated but we (the kids) all LOVED it!
To this day when I find anything that is written in Mom or Dad's handwriting, it brings tears to my eyes because their handwriting is such a part of them. I will forever love seeing a card or letter they gave me on a birthday, wedding, anniversary, and so on and to read the words, "We love you" and that will never bore me!
I see that there are mixed reviews of this book and I totally understand that, but it's short and it is a quick read so I recommend it as being potentially as touching for you as it was for me.
My own parents were married for almost 66 years when my mom passed at 81 and dad was in a rehab from a stroke at the time Mom died. I was so thankful because from that day on he never remembered she had passed away and he would continue to tell us that Mom had come to bring him breakfast that day or other very sweet, endearing little moments of a memory he had of her such as the two of them watching TV together in his room after she died. He never let her go!
Jack and Laurel had been married for 39 years and every Wednesday Jack wrote a letter to Laurel. When Jack was dying, Laurel was thankfully there to hold him in her arms and would you believe that he still managed to write out his last Wednesday love letter to her? Okay...I am sappy but that's the sweetest thing ever, so (yes) I cried. I especially cried when their children came home to arrange for Jack and Laurel's funeral since they passed away at the same time. Naturally, they went through their parents' things and they found the letters, which is exactly what happened to me and my siblings. The saved cards and letters from their children (written to them over the years) brought back memories and a part of my parents that I never really realized and that's just how sentimental my dad was. One of the most beautiful things I ever read was a beautiful love letter Dad had written to Mom. It was so him! For birthdays and especially anniversaries of their first date ever and their wedding day, Dad always wrote Mom little letters and left them around so she'd have to go on a hunt for her gift. She'd get a little exasperated but we (the kids) all LOVED it!
To this day when I find anything that is written in Mom or Dad's handwriting, it brings tears to my eyes because their handwriting is such a part of them. I will forever love seeing a card or letter they gave me on a birthday, wedding, anniversary, and so on and to read the words, "We love you" and that will never bore me!
I see that there are mixed reviews of this book and I totally understand that, but it's short and it is a quick read so I recommend it as being potentially as touching for you as it was for me.
March 11, 2009
Christian propa-friggin-ganda! What poo
August 31, 2017
I don't even know what to say. This was BAD. How is this not marked as Christian literature? And by that, I mean TERRIBLE Christian lit! There are so many things wrong with this book. I don't think I feel like discussing all of them. But a few stick out like sore thumbs. 1) There was ZERO character development. 2) Everything that happens is told rather than shown. 3) Christian references were used as a crutch to explain away bad things that happened to this family. It was like reading an instruction manual on how to forgive everyone who has ever wronged you no matter the offense. I have read a few Christian lit works and never ever have I come across one that so blatantly pushes Christian beliefs. And even if I could get over that, this story and the writing were just, to be frank, utter crap. All in all, this is a terrible piece of literature, and I am not even quite sure I want to call it that. Christian lit, after all, is still literature and this certainly was neither.
See my blog (spoilers possible!) here: https://ichleseblog.wordpress.com/201....
See my blog (spoilers possible!) here: https://ichleseblog.wordpress.com/201....
February 2, 2022
Let me start by saying that I read this book at a difficult time for me, and it touched on some things a little too close to home, which may have given it a boosted score just on how it affected me personally. Beware of spoilers within this review, this is a book you should read for yourself.
The Wednesday Letters is an emotional little novel. It starts with an elderly couple- the husband is bed-ridden and terminally ill with brain tumors. Well… the wife has a heart attack. Unable to save her, her husband writes her a letter, and succumbs to his brain tumors, dying beside her. When their family draws together to celebrate their lives and grieve for them, they discover more letters, and find out that their father wrote their mother a letter every single Wednesday from the day they married until the day they died.
This novel took me by surprise. The letters are not just filled with emotions, but they’re so real. They recount a life well lived, ups and downs, apart and together. A couple who loved each other dearly, and a husband who documented it. Not only that, but there are unique storylines running through the family and friends of the deceased couple. Their children play a huge role, including a son who is trying to adopt a baby with his wife, a daughter who gave up her love of acting and took on the role of a police officer instead, and a son who is not what he seems, who fled from criminal charges and left behind the love of his life.
The romantic in me loves this book, and I honestly want to reread it immediately just to fall in love with it all over again. I can’t say much without spoiling it, but I think this book will become one of my favorite reads of 2022- and one of the only books I’ve ever read that made me cry at the end.
The Wednesday Letters is an emotional little novel. It starts with an elderly couple- the husband is bed-ridden and terminally ill with brain tumors. Well… the wife has a heart attack. Unable to save her, her husband writes her a letter, and succumbs to his brain tumors, dying beside her. When their family draws together to celebrate their lives and grieve for them, they discover more letters, and find out that their father wrote their mother a letter every single Wednesday from the day they married until the day they died.
This novel took me by surprise. The letters are not just filled with emotions, but they’re so real. They recount a life well lived, ups and downs, apart and together. A couple who loved each other dearly, and a husband who documented it. Not only that, but there are unique storylines running through the family and friends of the deceased couple. Their children play a huge role, including a son who is trying to adopt a baby with his wife, a daughter who gave up her love of acting and took on the role of a police officer instead, and a son who is not what he seems, who fled from criminal charges and left behind the love of his life.
The romantic in me loves this book, and I honestly want to reread it immediately just to fall in love with it all over again. I can’t say much without spoiling it, but I think this book will become one of my favorite reads of 2022- and one of the only books I’ve ever read that made me cry at the end.
February 16, 2009
I like the premise of this story, and I thought the love story between Jack and Laurel was beautiful. I also like the writing style of the author, although he sort of tells the history of the story backward. It makes it mysterious, and adds a level of interest, but I was confused at first.
My main disappointment is that I felt it ended abruptly. I was looking forward to the romance and felt cheated! Even more importantly, I felt that the entire theme of the book was 'forgiveness', but the author doesn't even approach the forgiveness process. To have the main character Malcolm find out who his father is (the man who raped his mother), then fast-forward 20+ years as Malcolm tells the story to his grown son and explains that it has been forgiven, seems abrupt. I think it would have been more effective to have at least a chapter or two that gave the father & son time to work it out. It makes the forgiveness more real. It's not that I don't think you could ever forgive the man who raped your mother, but it would certainly be a difficult process!
Again, it was a sweet story. I could have read Jack's letters for hours!
My main disappointment is that I felt it ended abruptly. I was looking forward to the romance and felt cheated! Even more importantly, I felt that the entire theme of the book was 'forgiveness', but the author doesn't even approach the forgiveness process. To have the main character Malcolm find out who his father is (the man who raped his mother), then fast-forward 20+ years as Malcolm tells the story to his grown son and explains that it has been forgiven, seems abrupt. I think it would have been more effective to have at least a chapter or two that gave the father & son time to work it out. It makes the forgiveness more real. It's not that I don't think you could ever forgive the man who raped your mother, but it would certainly be a difficult process!
Again, it was a sweet story. I could have read Jack's letters for hours!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2010
Ternyata kebiasaan menulis itu bisa menyimpan banyak makna ya, apa yang tidak bisa diungkapkan secara lisan bisa leluasa diungkapkan dengan tulisan.
Saat membaca awal cerita ini saya pikir seperti cerita roman lainnya karena dari judul dan sinopsis di belakangnya menyiratkan seperti itu. Lembar demi lembar saya lewati dan ternyata makin ke belakang makin seru karena ternyata selain unsur romantisme cerita ini juga dibumbui unsur teka teki tentang siapa Malcolm. Kalau saja Jack tidak pernah menumpahkan isi hatinya lewat surat tidak ada satupun yang mengetahui rahasia ini dan saya pun seperti ikutan bermain tebak-tebakan saat membaca buku ini.
Ending ceritanya pun tak akan ada yang menyangka. Jason F.Wright keren...bisa membuat alur cerita yang menurut saya pembaca ikut menebak-nebak di dalamnya. Saya suka jalan ceritanya tidak membosankan dan membuat penasaran.
Saat membaca awal cerita ini saya pikir seperti cerita roman lainnya karena dari judul dan sinopsis di belakangnya menyiratkan seperti itu. Lembar demi lembar saya lewati dan ternyata makin ke belakang makin seru karena ternyata selain unsur romantisme cerita ini juga dibumbui unsur teka teki tentang siapa Malcolm. Kalau saja Jack tidak pernah menumpahkan isi hatinya lewat surat tidak ada satupun yang mengetahui rahasia ini dan saya pun seperti ikutan bermain tebak-tebakan saat membaca buku ini.
Ending ceritanya pun tak akan ada yang menyangka. Jason F.Wright keren...bisa membuat alur cerita yang menurut saya pembaca ikut menebak-nebak di dalamnya. Saya suka jalan ceritanya tidak membosankan dan membuat penasaran.
December 3, 2012
The story of a married couple, Jack and Laurel, told after their death through a series of letters Jack wrote to his wife. As his children gather for the funeral, they discover the letters and learn so much about their parents and their past. Some of the revelations are sad and disturbing, but as the children pull together, they are able to heal and move on to a better future of their own.
I really enjoyed this book, especially how the letters help tell the story, interspersed and out of order as they were.
I really enjoyed this book, especially how the letters help tell the story, interspersed and out of order as they were.
October 30, 2017
This was a sappy little sad book about a couple that dies on the same day. The husband writes love letters to his wife every Wednesday. It was a little boring I had to force myself to finish this book. I guess this book was not what I expected.
May 9, 2020
With all the tech stuff in the world, we are reminded of a simpler time and the thought process of writing a real letter that you couldn’t just back space if you changed your mind or it would be a crumpled up paper or lines through what you thought you wanted to say...
November 23, 2023
This is a great family drama to read at Thanksgiving! I loved the notion of a Wednesday letter every week and I liked these characters a lot! The ending is emotional, as you can imagine once you start it. A great book!
December 4, 2014
I've found another contender for my worst book of 2014 award and, as it's highly unlikely this will be beaten, I pronounce this sanctimonious drivel as the winner!
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