Dear Mary, Dear Luther:
A Courtship in Letters
by Jill Marie Snyder
A rare collection of African American love letters from the 1930s.
Reviews
The Story
Behind the Words
In Dear Mary, Dear Luther, we walk the path of a great love that developed between Luther (Luke) Snyder and Mary Brooks, the author’s parents. Their friendly affection and polite salutations become more endearing through the pages, as their relationship evolves from friendship to marriage.
The several illuminations about events and notable persons such as Father Divine, Ella Fitzgerald, and boxer Joe Louis add context. A reader commented: “Many historical references that make you feel like you are stepping back in time to see what life was like. Poignant, funny and charming. Well written and a delightful read.“
Jill precedes the letters with family history beginning with the 1882 obituary of her great-great-grandfather who escaped enslavement from a Virginia plantation. She follows the letters with insights and anecdotes about her parents. We’re given a complete story of a loving, tight-knit family, facing illness, financial hardship, and racism with dignity and grace.
