Edith Warner

Edith Warner was born in eastern Pennsylvania in the 1890's, but moved to New Mexico in her late twenties, primarily for health reasons. After living in Florida and Colorado for a short time, she returned to New Mexico for the rest of her life. Most of that time was spent in a house situated between Los Alamos and the San Ildefonso Reservation. The house served as the mail drop for people living in Los Alamos (before Los Alamos was taken over by the bomb project), and she eventually converted it into a guest house and “tea room”. It attracted the residents from Los Alamos, and she became friends with many of the scientists working there on the bomb, including Robert Oppenheimer. She was also very close friends with many members of the Pueblo community of San Ildefonso.

Although she was not well known in her lifetime, two books previous have been written about Edith Warner: a biography The House at Otowi Bridge by Peggy Pond Church and a novel inspired by her life, The Woman at Otowi Bridge by Frank Waters. In addition, the editor writes in the Preface of reading numerous magazine and newspaper articles about her, and finally wishing to provide a opportunity for her life to be told in a book that “... contains Edith Warner's own words.” Although she was not a professional writer, she published several magazine articles. Much of the book, however, is a collection of her letters which were saved by the recipients.

Reading the letters, one has the impression that she was an unusually spiritual person. Some of the letters, called “the Christmas Letters”, were addressed to a wide audience of family or acquaintances. Others were private letters. Sometimes, when reading the private letters, it seems like you are reading someone's private correspondence. Fortunately, there is nothing in the letters that would offend writer or recipient, and so despite this reservation, the letters are very interesting (e.g. “... peace embodies freedom and security”). Only letters from Edith are included. It would be nice to have more context: dates, letter replies, current events, etc. I liked this book and will probably now read the other 2 books.… (más)