In the daunting foothills of Book II, there’s nothing so encouraging as a nice letter from a reader. Happily, those who write are, on the whole, the ones who have nice things to say.
The few exceptions often have specific grievances. Witness the Jan 30 review on Amazon, regarding my use, in Book I, of “Money is the root of all evil" - instead of “A love of money is the root of all evil.”
The review followed two outraged letters, to which I was not sure how to respond. It's not the only complaint I’ve received about the truncated phrase, which passed several editors and which – bewildering in the context of the fuss – related to an exam question I was set, as a teenager, in a convent in Zimbabwe. It’s like there’s a secret society, the Defenders of Money, its members' letters infused with indignation you’d expect from supporters of the Fox Terrier Association if you wrote off the breed as bloodthirsty.
But if the LOVE OF letter made me question the wisdom of having a contact form on the web, the following splendid LOVE FROM letter, received a few days ago, has removed any doubt of its value.
Hello!
Dear Mr.Robyn Scott !
My name is [] . I live in Russia in city Novocherkassk . Our city very small and on it for me a great honor to write to you. I am very much, very much the great admirer of your activity. I realy enraptured your person. You are great writer. In our city there is a fan club of your name and I am its chairman. Very much I ask you to send me by mail your photo and your autograph. Very much it would be desirable that the autograph nominal on my name. This you will make me the happiest man! Please!!! After all very not to be easy during our heavy time the happy man. Very much I hope for you! I wish you creative successes and health! I invite you to Russia. We love you and very much we think much of your creativity.
With the big respect and hope, [] .
My adress: Name – [] Street Address – [] City – Novocherkassk State – Rostov reg ZIP – [] Country – Russia
Thank you! From Russia with love.
Sincerely yours, []
The letter was published with the consent of its author, whose email address charmingly involves a juxtaposition of “big” and “papa”.
I shall be sending an autograph, perhaps with, as my ever witty friend Marie Phillips suggested, a "suitably masculine looking photo".
If this is a hoax, the 10% of me who thinks it is can live with it. Such has been the pleasure enjoyed by the other 90%.