If you could turn back time? Finding love and healing by understanding the past
Vicki Bennett’s latest novel, The Letters, blends historical richness with emotional depth in a tale that resonates with readers.
If you could go back in time, what would you change? This question fuels my new book, The Letters, a novel with a powerful blend of historical fiction, adventure and emotional connection.
Seen through the eyes of the protagonist, Ruby Scott, The Letters explores the scars of love and loss during World War I that rippled across generations. Handwritten letters from my grandfather unlocked this portal to the past, revealing secrets never meant to be uncovered, making history feel profoundly intimate.
As the author, authenticity was crucial, so I retraced my grandfather’s footsteps on the Somme, walked the battlefields and laid on the rough ground where Ruby first meets her young grandfather in the novel. These experiences bring 1917 France to life with vivid, sensory detail. The use of time-travel becomes a metaphor for longing – to fix past mistakes, reconnect with lost loved ones and seek closure.
Ruby’s journey forces her to grapple with ethical dilemmas. Can changing history have unintended consequences? Does she have the power to alter fate, or is history set in stone? Where should she draw the line between personal interference and events that must unfold? These questions add emotional complexity to her adventure.
Beneath Ruby’s strong-willed exterior, few truly know her struggles. She secretly fears love won’t last. Her feelings for Henri, a local Résistance fighter, force her to confront this fear. She also carries guilt over her sister’s death, fuelling her determination to protect Lisette, her grandfather’s secret daughter. Ultimately, her journey is about learning to trust herself and others. Henri is not just a love interest, his secrets shape Ruby’s decisions and his ability to read people challenges her to be honest about her own truths.
A central theme in The Letters is the impact of the past on future generations. History doesn’t disappear – it continues to shape us. Patterns of loss and regret can be broken and deep connections to those who came before us can remain strong. Ruby’s journey is one of forgiveness and understanding the past so she can shape a better future. The Letters asks: Can love truly transcend time?
This novel will appeal to fans of historical fiction, time-slip narratives and multi-generational family sagas. Readers who are drawn to strong female protagonists and thought-provoking themes will connect with this story.
Influenced by The Time Traveller’s Wife and Outlander, early feedback reveals that readers deeply resonate with Ruby’s journey, appreciate the historical elements and are moved by the novel’s exploration of love and reclamation.
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Ultimately, I hope The Letters inspires readers to explore their own family histories. By confronting the past, we can find connection, healing and a deeper understanding of where we come from.
The Letters by Vicki Bennett, Boolarong Press, $32.99, boolarongpress.com.au/product/the-letters
Vicki Bennett is an artist, corporate trainer and author of 27 books, including The Effective Leader and Life Smart. She wrote, directed and co-produced the documentary Never Forget Australia. Other recent titles, Two Pennies and Dreams Can Come True (Boolarong Press) highlight her ability to inspire readers of all ages.