Since I still associate James Patterson with
thrillers like Along Came a Spider, it's hard for me
to get used to the idea that he's also good at writing love
stories. Sam's Letters to Jennifer is exactly that, the
story of two women, the men they love, and their love for each
other. This audio version is the ideal way to enjoy the intertwined
tales, and it's a great road trip accompaniment.
Sam is Jennifer's grandmother. When an accident
leaves Sam in a coma, Jennifer, a young newspaper columnist,
travels to Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, to be at her side. She
stays at her grandmother's house, where she discovers a sheaf
of letters addressed to her. Sam, it turns out, wrote them
to tell Jennifer the true story of her life, a tale that includes
some surprising secrets. She also wants to help Jennifer get
over the tragic death of her husband Danny and the subsequent
loss of their unborn child. Thus Patterson's book is three
love stories in one. It's Sam's account, through her letters,
of the love of her life. We also hear, in Jennifer's words,
about the relationship she develops with a childhood friend
who is also spending the summer at Lake Geneva. Through it
all is the story of Sam and Jennifer, who share an unusual
bond.
Anne Heche and Jane Alexander make this
CD version of Sam's Letters to Jennifer truly outstanding.
Heche performs the sections narrated by Jennifer while Alexander
reads Sam's letters. Their interpretations bring the story
to life, and the production includes musical punctuation that
enhances the whole experience. I have no doubt that this is
a pleasant book to read, but it's truly a delight to experience
it through the performances of these two talented actresses.
