THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES

I feel I must respond to Marion Winik’s June 9 review of Joy Horowitz’s book, “Tessie and Pearlie: A Granddaughter’s Story.”

Winik is correct when she states that the book “has no plot to unfold, no secrets to reveal, no thesis to prove.” The reason is, these all too common features are not necessary in Horowitz’s clear, heart-warming and emotional observations of her grandmothers. I, too, found that “reading this book, is very much like spending a great deal of time with one’s own grandmother.”

To call these glimpses of tradition and family values “boring” is insulting to anyone who appreciates and has experienced the generational relationships between people and the warmth and sharing of traditions passing from one generation to the next with love, hope and the wonderful values with which they are expressed.

I closed the book with a feeling of having been a part of Horowitz’s family. I felt as if she was writing about my grandmother, as I remembered again her wisdom, love and little axioms that guide me to this day.

I’m sorry that you were disappointed that nobody died in Horowitz’s book. And while we know that Tessie and Pearlie will not live forever, Horowitz’s picture of them will live in my memory always. We thank you, Joy, for a wonderful memory.

ELLEN FRANKEL

NORTHRIDGE