Story Insights: I Will Always Write Back
How much would you be willing to bet on someone?
This journal-esque writing grabbed my full attention once I noticed it was about life changing pen pals. I don’t remember much from my pen pal experience since my long term memory can sometimes be borderline terrible, but I’ve always remembered how excited I was writing my pen pal through a school program in middle school. Another fun fact about me is I’ve always gotten overly excited when I receive something in the mail. It was pretty much a done deal once I read the book summary below. :)
Book Summary:
The true story of an all-American girl and a boy from an impoverished city in Zimbabwe and the letter that changed both of their lives forever.
It started as an assignment. Everyone in Caitlin's class wrote to an unknown student somewhere in a distant place. All the other kids picked countries like France or Germany, but when Caitlin saw Zimbabwe written on the board, it sounded like the most exotic place she had ever heard of--so she chose it.
Martin was lucky to even receive a pen pal letter. There were only ten letters, and forty kids in his class. But he was the top student, so he got the first one.
That letter was the beginning of a correspondence that spanned six years and changed two lives.
In this compelling dual memoir, Caitlin and Martin recount how they became best friends --and better people--through letters. Their story will inspire readers to look beyond their own lives and wonder about the world at large and their place in it.
Considered Reads Summary:
Two teenagers, one American, one Zimbabwean - the unlikeliest of friends become just that through a school pen pal system. Lifestyles severely contrast sitting on either extreme, yet both authors embody the courage to expose their most vulnerable selves. Over time these best friends mature and blossom together, becoming what feels like family and significantly impacting each other’s future.
Alifirenka and Ganda reveal not only how they influence each other’s lives, but also the affect on family and friends surrounding them. The ending of each chapter is a cliffhanger in the most beautiful way, leaving us sitting with inspiring aspiration.
Side note: You hear stories and see photos everywhere in this digital age, but reading a memoir and becoming entangled in the authors’ lives, understanding on a deeper level what life looks like growing up in the western world and in parallel growing up in a slum, inches today’s reality into a more personal awareness.
Audience Match: For those who may be lacking hope in humankind or life, anyone who is curious for more insight on other cultures, and/or a person who might appreciate some encouragement.
Quiet Question: The story quietly questions how we pay kindness to strangers and just how far we are willing to go in an act of kindness.
Mood: Emotional yet inspirational.
Pacing: Fast
Our Rating: 4.75 of 5 - Some parts of the communication where the relationship was deepened was missing at times for me. I also found the way it was written to sound like Caitlin’s parents might feel a bit of savior complex at times, though I’m sure that wasn’t the intention and the selflessness from everyone was ultra inspiring.
Favorite Quote:
“People are so scared of what they don't know.”
Comparable Titles:
The Correspondent - Virginia Evans (this is on my TBR list and I am itching to get to it!)
Paper Things - Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Crying in H Mart - Michelle Zauner
