Review of A Letter Unwritten

[Barry Jones 2]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "A Letter Unwritten" by Randy Rauh.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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In A Letter Unwritten: Two Women, One Man, and the Words That Changed Everything by Randy Rauh, the author remembers his mother, JoAnn, and his wife, Bonnie, as extraordinary women. The stories are separate and yet interwoven, building on each to help tell the story about the things that surround love and the ability to overcome the odds and maintain faith and value in the lives of such everyday people.

Divorce had bitten her in the butt—JoAnn managed, through sheer perseverance, to sustain herself and three children after the break and after fighting through health and money troubles. Despite all the hardships she faced, especially as she had a birthmark and was married to a person with mental health problems, she continued to be a source of strength to her children by teaching them how to be kind and faithful. Bonnie is presented as Randy’s high school romance, one who, with her tenderhearted love, shaped his character. JoAnn walked by her husband’s side in life, nursing him and taking care of him, and he was an example of silent courage. The author shows how love speaks through written letters as well as thoughts not expressed and how the lives of ordinary people make history.

Completing the memoir opened up pangs of powerful emotions. With each section of the writing, Rauh expresses every sense of admiration towards JoAnn and Bonnie. It’s one poured out of respect and flat-out love for them; it’s heartfelt, and it’s sincere. From one suffering, this book became one of suffering yet one that inspired the author to perfect a steady method of mixing tragic moments with heartfelt entertainment. These stories were so personal and genuine because they allowed me to have a full experience of what their underlying emotion was. The approach to straightforward storytelling works because the author does not lace up the narrative with fancy embellishments and makes it simple.

The author relies on fictional storytelling techniques, even though the story is based on facts, to build an emotionally compelling narrative. This book’s narrative moves chronologically, beginning with JoAnn’s life first and then Randy’s, and then their relationship with Bonnie before examining the difficulties of living and growing up and dealing with loss. The author adds emotional depth by using reflective sections, but the structured chronology makes reading through the text easy. He has a personal way; while he is very relaxed, it is like you are there listening to him remember things. He provides the book with a balance of comedy and tragedy that ensures the book does not become too much of a burden.

I found no grammar errors in the book. It is edited excellently well and has straightforward writing that allows the reader to access the stories without complex prose. It’s possible to read this book without the content reducing itself to something simplified to understand. Each descriptive part has its essence and doesn’t go beyond the boundaries of the visual. Overall, I'd rate this book 5 out of 5 stars, as I have nothing to dislike about it.

I recommend this book to young and older adult readers who love to read true-life stories that are emotionally touching and have a sense of motherhood or a feminine theme.

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A Letter Unwritten
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[Rashida Anshad]

A Letter unwritten two women and one Man and the words that changed every thing Randy Rauh.

[Shaniz Tobiaz]

This must be a very interesting story, it is a must read for me and am glad the author did amazing job in editing the book.

[Mark Lazarus]

It sounds like a deeply emotional and heartfelt story that beautifully captures the resilience and strength of the women in the author’s life. I appreciate stories that celebrate everyday people and their quiet courage, especially when told with such sincerity. The combination of personal reflection and straightforward storytelling makes it seem like a relatable and moving read. I could definitely see myself giving it a try, especially for the way it highlights the power of love and perseverance.

[Jelani Trotter]

A Letter Unwritten by Randy Rauh is a heartfelt tribute to two remarkable women—his mother, JoAnn, and his wife, Bonnie. Through intertwined stories of resilience, love, and faith, the book highlights JoAnn’s perseverance as a single mother and Bonnie’s enduring influence on Randy’s character. A moving reflection on the power of love, both spoken and unspoken.