Letters Never Mailed: 32 Years of Writing to Tom Waits, by Susan Borgeson

Susan Borgeson's place among modern day existentialist writers is definitely at the front table. The evidence that remains is within the pages of this book---and what does remain after writing Tom Waits everyday for 32 years--with no response--is truly remarkable. A woman of letters is an understated description of a courageous individual that was stricken in her teens with mild schizophrenia and severe, bi-polar (manic-depression) disorder. Her individual struggle to overcome is a lesson for women of all ages, and for anyone with a mental handicap. These ‘ letters’ were all written around the turn of the 21st century. And, nearly 10 years later , still have a reflexive quality that transcends the psychologist’s case study. Borgeson's letters have remained fresh and give meaning to our shared and diverse humanity….Richard Collins, RedEye Publishing International


According to the foreword by Richard Collins, over a period of 32 years Susan Borgeson sent Tom Waits more than 5,000 letters (which works out to a new letter every two or three days), but didn't ever receive a single response. This book contains just nine unedited poems which she wrote over forty-two hours, illustrated with photographs of her original handwritten drafts.

I am concerned by the excessive nature of Miss Borgeson's behaviour, and by her history of mental illness, and so have decided that it would not be appropriate for me to give this book the review that it deserves. But if Richard Collins of RedEye Publishing International took even a single penny from Miss Borgeson to pay for her publication, he should be thoroughly ashamed of himself, regardless of her mental state.