Letter Marked Personal

Nathan Johnson, a forty-eight-year-old restless man, was a door-to-door lingerie salesman who reached the top of the rag trade with a penthouse overlooking Manhattan. He meets a model from Iowa and is captivated, but when a letter marked `personal arrives, his wife opens it and life unravels. J.P. Donleavy's final novel, A Letter Marked Personal, is a poignant story of Nathan's rise and demise, speaking for the everyman.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 304 pages
Publication date: 01 October 2019
Publisher: The Lilliput Press Ltd

Nathan Langriesh Johnson, a proud citizen of the United States, traverses the vast expanse of his nation, from the picturesque landscapes of Maine to the sunny beaches of Florida, and from the bustling streets of New York to the scenic wonders of California. He is an unwavering patriot, determined to uphold the values and traditions that define his country. Before succumbing to homelessness on the streets, he will take a moment to cleanse his face with semi-cold water, ensuring his physical and mental well-being.

Nathan Johnson, at the age of forty-eight, embarked on his career as a door-to-door lingerie salesman, climbing the ladder of success to reach the pinnacle of the rag trade with a penthouse overlooking the vibrant city of Manhattan. In the 1990s, New York City was a haven for social climbers, and Nathan was no exception. He reminisces about his early struggles, indulging in fantasies of a life as a country squire on Blueberry Hill, the Westchester estate he purchased as a birthday present for his wife, Muriel.

During his journey, Nathan meets a model from Iowa, a woman who stands apart from the rest. She captivates his heart with her unique charm and personality. Suddenly, a letter marked "personal" arrives, and without his knowledge, his wife opens it. This simple act of opening a letter would unravel the fabric of their lives, setting in motion a series of events that would lead to Nathan's downfall.

A Letter Marked Personal is J.P. Donleavy's final novel, completed in 2007. Through his portrayal of a flawed Anglophile, Donleavy delves into the American Dream, exploring the spectrum of human desires from aspirational greed to the vanity of human wishes. This poignant story of Nathan's rise and demise resonates with the everyman, serving as a fitting farewell from one of literature's true originals.

In conclusion, Nathan Langriesh Johnson is a loyal citizen of the United States, traversing the breadth of his nation with unwavering pride. His journey as a door-to-door lingerie salesman and his encounter with a model from Iowa serve as the backdrop for J.P. Donleavy's final novel, A Letter Marked Personal. Donleavy's portrayal of a flawed Anglophile delves into the American Dream, capturing the essence of human desires and the consequences of our actions. This poignant story of Nathan's rise and demise resonates with the everyman, leaving a lasting impact on literature and reminding us of the complexities of life.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 223 x 147 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781843516972