Intro

Letter from an Unknown Woman is a novelby Austrianwriter Stefan Zweig.

Many yearslater, as the mother of an adolescent girl, reading "letter from anunknown woman", I want to say to all the girls, "you must loveyourself" and to all the girls' mothers, "you need to connect withyour children deeply, with their heart."

Published in 1922, this novel told the story ofan author who, while reading a letter written by a woman he does not remember,gets glimpses into her life. The storybegins eighteen years ago, when she first met the man, the woman was only achild. She experienced the obsession as a young girl, the passion as a woman,and even sold herself, but never changed her love for this man and only confessedher love to him by the end of her life.

I first read this book at theage of 13 or 14, as an ignorant young girl naturally attracted by this type of story. I'veread Anna. Karenina , The Lady of the camellias", "JaneEyre", "Wuthering Heights", "Pride and Prejudice",moved to tears for every love story, the women in these stories, regardless oftheir class origin, education and character, no matter they’re end up with asad or happy ending, they’re all like moths to flames, set to pursue love,dignity, independence, equality and freedom, although often restrained andhelpless in the historical background. but it is exactly why people are so muchmoved and inspired by their bravery, tenacity, warmth, gentleness, nobility,full of feminine strength and the brilliance of human nature. Their lovewas poignant yet beautiful, even heroic!

but when I read the letterfrom an unknown woman, I was really disappointed. Apart from sympathizing withthis woman, I felt more unworthy or even angry for her. I wanted to time travelback to her life and make senses with her. Her unrequited love was merely herimagination, it was illusion. She was so desperate even betting on herentire life, not at all beautiful, but delusional! The person she loved hadno idea who she was, to him, it was just an instinctive reaction to her desirelike an animal. I doubted deeply if her desperate letter could reallytouch him? She buried herself! And also an innocent little lifetogether with her!

Years later, I heard that amovie was produced based on this story, I didn’t watch it because of what thedirector said in an interview prior to the premiere of the movie. Thedirector's interpretation of the novel was that, when she was young, sheregarded it as a love story between a devoted woman and an unfaithful man. Andwhen she was psychologically matured, she felt sorry for the man while couldfeel the inner strength of the woman. This interpretation makes me verydisappointed. I must say, say aloud to the girls, don't have such innerstrength and bravery! Ever!

After experiencing real lifelove and marriage, now as the mother of an adolescent girl, when I read thisbook again, I feel more like a heartbroken for this woman. We can clearlysee the influence of her original family on her, especially the attachmentdisorder, even after the living environment improved greatly when she grew up,it still dragged her into an abyss for a doomed eternity. I wish I couldtravel to her childhood to talk to her mother, ask her to pay more attention toher daughter, let her feel loved, supported and safe. Especially in heradolescence years, be there for her, give her empathy, warmth, support andcomfort. Also talk to her so that she can accept and love herself. IfI can really travel to that era, I must have surreal super power to set up asocial support system so that she and other girls in a similar situation can becomforted and supported when they are lonely and helpless. Of course, Iknow it’s impossible, but I think this exactly is the practical significance ofreading this book today. I hope that mothers, especially those withdaughters, could care more about and spend more time with the children, notonly be there physically when they need you, but also be with them mentally andspiritually. I hope that all girls would not lose themselves for anyone,anything, any desire and benefit, but accept themselves, love themselves, obtainwealth and peace of mind, and experience true love they deserve.
This book is voice performed inboth Chinese and English, uploaded one episode a day. You are welcome tosubscribe. You are also welcome to leave messages, tell me how you feel,or share your stories. I’m Huoyanyan, bring you warmth and strength with myvoice.