June 28, 2019 PLEASE MR. POSTMAN

The art of letter writing. I think it's gone by the wayside. Yup. In the age of texting-- email--twitter--instagram--instant messenger --NO ONE WRITES LETTERS ANYMORE. I used to love writing and receiving letters--especially-- from my pen pal.  Ask any member of Generation Z about pen pals--they won't have a clue. Have a friend who recently asked her son to put a stamp on an envelope--he asked where?? Not kidding--kids today have never addressed an envelope--bought a book of stamps--gone to the post office. I understand that email is instantaneous and free but it's different. Opening a letter and reading the written word is much more personal. I still have a collection of letters and cards that I've saved through the years. It's fun to go back and read them every now and then--especially the ones from my grandmother. She used to send me cards, notes and recipes all the time. So glad I kept them--just seeing her handwriting brings me  comfort I could never get from an email. Pretty sure the characters in Anne Youngson's debut novel Meet Me at the Museum feel the same way. 
In this epistolary novel, Tina Hopgood's correspondence begins with a curator named Anders Larsen because of a shared fascination.  The Tollund Man--a 2000 year old body found in the bogs--that is housed in the musuem Anders works at in Denmark. Initially, Tina writes a letter looking for her old professor with questions about the Tollund Man and Anders replies because her professor is dead. The letters continue and become more personal over time.  Through letters, the reader learns that Tina has been married for forty years. She lives with her husband and extended family on an isolated farm in England.  After the death of her childhood friend, Tina begins to take stock in her life and the choices she has made over the years. Anders, whose wife went missing on their anniversary, is grappling with loneliness and welcomes Tina's letters. As their friendship deepens, they share fears, thoughts, dreams and wonder if it's too late to change. Will they write a new story? Find out when you read this 288 pager--or 3 mile--thought provoking book about the choices we make.