DEAR MONA: LETTERS FROM A CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR

Jonah Jones, ed. Peter Jones (Seren)

Dear Mona is a collection of letters sent, circa World War II, to Jonah Jones’ boss and on-mostly-off lover, Mona.  These are letters from the heart and the mind, as Jonah (born Leonard) battles his demons with the backdrop of war in Europe ever-present. He’s good company: it’s an inspiring read with the bathos, humour and shared experiences.  Here’s Len on language: “All Esperanto etc might start with swear words, because they appear to be the easiest to learn and most popular words.” He became familiar with other languages as a medic for some of the first soldiers to meet their Russian counterparts approaching from the East. Not so much a coming of age novel as a coming of age through real life letters.

words David Wyn

Price: £19.99. Info: www.serenbooks.com