Book Review: Once Again to Zelda

I can't remember where I heard of this book, but I was curious enough to request it from interlibrary loan. Once Again to Zelda, by Marlene Wagman-Geller, is a collection of stories about interesting book dedications. Wagman-Geller considers herself a dedication detective. Each story reveals deep research. Although I skipped a few chapters (just not interested in those authors or dedications), on the whole it was a very compelling book.

I was unaware of the dedication Charlotte Bronte gave to Jane Eyre, or how much chaos and speculation it stirred. Many of the stories I knew peripherally (Lewis Carroll, Dostoevsky, Frank Baum, and Stephen King). Many of the stories fleshed out more details and extended the stories deeper than I knew. For example, I knew Sylvia Plath's depression led to suicide. I was shocked to learn the woman who had the affair with Sylvia's husband also committed suicide in the same manner. Some stories were entirely new. 

So many of these authors endured great obstacles and tragedies. Laura Hillenbrand suffered a lengthy illness. Several lost beloved parents, spouses, and children.  Indeed, it was J. K. Rowling's loss of her mother that led her to include the Mirror of Erised in one of the installments of Harry Potter's story. I hadn't realized she didn't invite her father to her wedding because she was "upset with him for  moving in and marring his secretary right after [her mother's] death." It seems to write great literature, one must endure great upheaval and extreme challenges. In light of that, perhaps I don't want to write great literature. Ha!