From Across the Room
I love the epistolary novel. It may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s mine. Mulligan has does the form proud with From Across the Room. Writer Thomas Gadwell begins his correspondence in the summer of 1888. He’s arrived at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego and attempts to appease his editor. He promises to meet his deadlines and finish his book, but he soon finds a more attractive correspondent, Mary Harting. Mary is the daughter of a railroad tycoon, Charles Harting, and her father’s disapproval means that she and Thomas must meet and correspond in secret.
The correspondence is all from Thomas, but we can guess his relationships with the recipients, who include novelist Henry James, from the tenor of each letter. His letters to Mary range from the first flush of love to despair as her father pushes another suitor in her path. He takes a different tone with his editor, Avery, his mentor, Henry James, and his father. His correspondence spans sojourns in San Diego, New York City, his home in Boston, and a memorable stay in Newport. His letters bring each recipient to life, and the novel doesn’t suffer from showing only his correspondence. I read this in one sitting, and when I came to the surprise ending, rather than feel cheated, I was instead open-mouthed in admiration.
