Language and Meaning
The premise of the work is that through select letters the author is able to construct the story of the deep relationship forged between herself and the bookseller she has come to know on both a professional and personal level. Therefore, the idea of communication as a deep personal expression is a key factor in discovering the story behind the correspondence. There is a meaning behind the language that gives the story its emotive power.

Nora, for example, admits she is a terrible writer, and by her admission has realized some meaning is lost in the text of her letters. In contrast, language and meaning forge the bond between Frank and Helene. It is the glue keeping their relationship together, so powerful that Helene is afraid to actually meet Frank and others in person for fear of losing the credibility and power she has forged in writing. By way of literary illusion as well as writing ability, Helene connects with Frank in a way others, like Nora, may not.

In a letter to Frank, Helene also demonstrates the significance words carry. In looking for an apartment she discovers what she considers to be distasteful violations of the English language. ‘‘Rents do not make sense,’’ she states, ‘‘and prices do not sit around being reasonable.’’ She concludes that she goes through life ‘‘watching the English language being raped before me face.’’ In this instance and others, she also uses a literary reference to Edward Arlington Robinson to express her feelings of dismay.

Beginning and Ending
The work is based on a series of letters, and therefore, on beginnings and endings. The events of the story are recalled in relational time, either in response letters preceding letters, or as historical documents by date. The beginnings and endings are made implicit in specific life events or transitions, marked by career, personal relationship, environment, or history.

For example, when Cecily instructs Helene to stop sending care packages because ‘‘everything is now off rations and even nylons are available in all the better shops,’’ it is safe to assume that London has made a transition for the better. Likewise when Frank reports to Helene he has lost touch with Cecily, the reader knows it marks the end of any subsequent communication between Cecily and Helene.

On a more tragic note, the death of Frank marks the end of many things for Helene—including a long friendship and her plans to visit England—and the beginning of others. Helene has managed to put together a book of correspondence for publication, and in so doing has sparked a relationship with one of Frank’s daughters.

Lack and Sufficiency
Through communication of their needs and wants, the characters explore the idea of lack verses sufficiency. Often times the communication is subtle, a hint or request rather than a demand for something, or may simply be the author’s personal expression of a sense of deprivation. Such expressions set the tone for the work in terms of both history and characterization. As characters make their needs and wants known, the reader is able to make value judgments on the personalities represented in the work.

When Helene does not get a response to her letter of inquiry, or does not receive a particular book she has requested, her responses are impetuous or fueled by sudden energy, action, or emotion, suggesting impulsiveness, impatience, or thoughtlessness of character. Telling Frank it will be a long, cold winter, she suddenly exclaims, ‘‘and I need reading matter, now don’t start sitting around, go find me some books.’’

Other expressions of lack and sufficiency serve as...