You offer a gripping and nuanced exploration of Edith Thompson’s final letter. How you weave historical detail with legal analysis provides a strong sense of the story's depth. This article evokes sympathy while questioning the broader narrative, making the piece poignant and thought-provoking.
Reading this twice Laura, really got me thinking..you know how much I can immerse myself in true crime, but particularly, the emotional psychology that is the catalyst... Edith's writing fascinates me here , much jumps out doesn't it..then I lived, beaten all over, she says (or alludes to) so much. I can absolutely understand why this case lives on in your mind, it's surrounded by sadness and what ifs, what if Freddy had managed to break free? What if Edith had been younger (would she have received such a harsh outcome,) what really went on behind those closed doors. Thank you so much for such a thought provoking read.
Fascinating indeed. Although the unromantic in me sees Edith as some clinging manipulator, trying to see how far she could push Freddy and then being horrified when he did ‘something’. Is that completely uncharitable? I feel for Freddy and sometimes wonder if he meant to rid himself of Edith once and for all, and then couldn’t do it, turning his frustration onto Percy. Oh dear, I think I’ve just rewritten history to my own satisfaction! Which is equally romantic but a bit more gothic!
Not uncharitable at all, I think there's a lot of truth in it and partly why public opinion was so fiercely against her. The fact of her being older was key to this.
I always think if one takes out the horror of the death penalty one sees these cases more clearly... if Edith had done a year or two for incitement would that be an injustice, I'm not sure?!?
I too feel for Freddy (although he undoubtedly had a wild side) and above all for his mother, who tried to warn him... poor woman.
"Then I lived..." that really sums it all up, doesn't it? In spite of the impression she was partly living in her head, that life was the real one to her. As for Freddy, it is hard to say.
You are made of stronger stuff than me, Laura - I have difficulty reading about true crime, and could never immerse myself in it (I'm happier with beautiful things, lol)! It is a testament to your writing that I've read this post several times, and will probably be thinking about it all morning...
Thank you Jodi, that's a wonderful comment and I treasure it! You do beautiful things to perfection.
I must blame my lovely mother for my fascination with true crime, so many books on it while I was growing up, although (as she has just told me) she finds this particular story too sad....
It is a VERY fascinating case, because Edith's letter give it a kind of literary dimension - her guilt/innocence becomes a question of interpretation....
You offer a gripping and nuanced exploration of Edith Thompson’s final letter. How you weave historical detail with legal analysis provides a strong sense of the story's depth. This article evokes sympathy while questioning the broader narrative, making the piece poignant and thought-provoking.
Thank you so much Jon.
I truly appreciate this comment - the case (as you may have noticed!) is so close to my heart.... and still perplexes me.
Reading this twice Laura, really got me thinking..you know how much I can immerse myself in true crime, but particularly, the emotional psychology that is the catalyst... Edith's writing fascinates me here , much jumps out doesn't it..then I lived, beaten all over, she says (or alludes to) so much. I can absolutely understand why this case lives on in your mind, it's surrounded by sadness and what ifs, what if Freddy had managed to break free? What if Edith had been younger (would she have received such a harsh outcome,) what really went on behind those closed doors. Thank you so much for such a thought provoking read.
Such great questions, which nag at me constantly... and her writing, yes, is what fascinates. How to interpret it? I still don't know!
Thanks so much Nic for reading - and for this wonderful comment.
Fascinating indeed. Although the unromantic in me sees Edith as some clinging manipulator, trying to see how far she could push Freddy and then being horrified when he did ‘something’. Is that completely uncharitable? I feel for Freddy and sometimes wonder if he meant to rid himself of Edith once and for all, and then couldn’t do it, turning his frustration onto Percy. Oh dear, I think I’ve just rewritten history to my own satisfaction! Which is equally romantic but a bit more gothic!
Not uncharitable at all, I think there's a lot of truth in it and partly why public opinion was so fiercely against her. The fact of her being older was key to this.
I always think if one takes out the horror of the death penalty one sees these cases more clearly... if Edith had done a year or two for incitement would that be an injustice, I'm not sure?!?
I too feel for Freddy (although he undoubtedly had a wild side) and above all for his mother, who tried to warn him... poor woman.
Thanks so much June, for reading.
I can see I’m going to have to buy another of your books….
Pleased to hear about the screenplay - hope it comes off.
"Then I lived..." that really sums it all up, doesn't it? In spite of the impression she was partly living in her head, that life was the real one to her. As for Freddy, it is hard to say.
Yes. That line is peculiarly poignant.
I agree that Freddy is actually the greater mystery.
Thank you Maria, for the kind restack!
You are made of stronger stuff than me, Laura - I have difficulty reading about true crime, and could never immerse myself in it (I'm happier with beautiful things, lol)! It is a testament to your writing that I've read this post several times, and will probably be thinking about it all morning...
Thank you Jodi, that's a wonderful comment and I treasure it! You do beautiful things to perfection.
I must blame my lovely mother for my fascination with true crime, so many books on it while I was growing up, although (as she has just told me) she finds this particular story too sad....
What an intriguing letter! The case is new to me. Your analysis is very compelling.
Thanks so much Jeffrey!
It is a VERY fascinating case, because Edith's letter give it a kind of literary dimension - her guilt/innocence becomes a question of interpretation....