Letters of Note

Reviews / Votes

This book was brilliant in written form and it's even better in audio, with a cast of famous voices elevating hilarious, horrifying and moving historical epistles . . . An eclectic treasure trove of letters . . . The letters are variously life-affirming, devastating, wilfully mundane, subtly acidic and sometimes downright creepy * * Guardian * * Quite literally the most enjoyable volume it is possible to imagine. Every page is a marvel * * Spectator * * Addictive, like dipping into a bag of variously tempting assorted candies, knowing that the next one will always bring surprise and pleasure * * New Yorker * * A gloriously presented compilation * * Financial Times * * The literary equivalent of a box of chocolates - bite-sized and pure addictive pleasure . . . The result is beautifully produced, with photographs and colour facsimiles of much of the correspondence. A gorgeous Christmas present * * Sunday Times * * It is hard to see how Letters Of Note could ever be surpassed * * Mail on Sunday * * Funny, tragic, brilliantly incisive, historic, lyrical, romantic and studiedly offensive, this stupendous compendium of letters ancient and modern is my book of the year. You will never tire of it -- Stephen Fry It is inspiring, and often sad, funny, and occasionally quite surreal * * GQ * * A wonderful collection of magical missives . . . It'll have you reaching for pen and paper * * Evening Standard * * As a guide to letters that deserve a wider readership, Usher's compilation is hard to beat * * Scotland on Sunday * *