Assignment to the Dead

Laurel, a high school freshman, receives an English assignment to write a letter to a dead person. Instead of a simple exercise, this becomes her private ritual, a way to process the loss of her beloved older sister, May. Laurel's letters—addressed to icons like Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, and Amelia Earhart—become a diary of grief, confusion, and longing. Through these letters, she reveals her struggle to find her place in a new school, her fractured family, and a world that feels suddenly unsafe and unfamiliar. The assignment, never turned in, becomes the backbone of her healing journey.

May's Shadow Lingers

May's death is the central trauma of Laurel's life. Once the dazzling, brave, and beautiful older sister, May's absence leaves Laurel adrift, haunted by memories and guilt. Laurel idolizes May, wearing her clothes and trying to emulate her confidence, but feels like an imposter. The family is shattered: her mother flees to California, her father is emotionally distant, and Laurel shuttles between homes, unable to talk about what happened. May's room remains untouched, a shrine to a lost world, and Laurel's grief is compounded by secrets she cannot share.

New Friends, New Fears

At her new school, Laurel is isolated until she befriends Natalie and Hannah, two girls with their own secrets and struggles. Their friendship is a lifeline, but also a source of anxiety—Laurel fears being truly seen, and the possibility of losing them. The trio navigates the treacherous waters of adolescence: parties, crushes, and the pressure to fit in. Laurel is drawn to Sky, a mysterious boy with a troubled past, and their tentative romance is both exhilarating and terrifying. Through these relationships, Laurel begins to experience moments of belonging and joy, but also the risk of heartbreak.

Becoming Invisible, Becoming Seen

Laurel's sense of self is fractured. She tries to disappear, eating lunch in the bathroom, wearing May's clothes, and avoiding attention. Yet, she yearns to be noticed—by her friends, by Sky, by her teachers. The tension between invisibility and visibility is a constant theme: Laurel wants to be understood, but is terrified of exposure. Her letters become a space where she can be honest, even as she hides her true self from those around her. The process of being seen—by friends, by Sky, by herself—becomes both her greatest fear and her deepest need.

The Art of Losing

Laurel is obsessed with loss—not just of May, but of childhood, innocence, and family. She is drawn to Elizabeth Bishop's poem "One Art," which insists that "the art of losing isn't hard to master." But for Laurel, loss is a disaster she cannot accept. She clings to memories, rituals, and objects, unable to move forward. Her grief is isolating, but also connects her to others who have lost—her friends, her teacher, the dead celebrities she writes to. The letters become a way to practice letting go, to master the art of losing, even as she resists it.

Secrets and Kisses

Laurel's friendships and first romance are complicated by secrets. Hannah and Natalie's relationship is fraught with fear and longing, as they navigate their feelings for each other in a world that may not accept them. Laurel's own relationship with Sky is shadowed by her past and her inability to be fully honest. The girls experiment with alcohol, parties, and kissing, testing boundaries and searching for connection. But beneath the surface, there are deeper secrets—about May, about Laurel's trauma, about what it means to love and be loved.

Haunted by the Past

As Laurel's relationships deepen, her unresolved trauma begins to surface. Flashbacks to the night May died, to the abuse she suffered at the hands of an older boy, and to the family's unraveling haunt her. She is consumed by guilt, convinced that she is responsible for May's death, and unable to forgive herself. The past intrudes on the present, making it difficult for Laurel to trust, to love, or to imagine a future. Her letters become increasingly confessional, as she edges closer to the truth she has been avoiding.

The Bridge and the River

The bridge over the river is both a literal and symbolic site of Laurel's trauma. It is where May died, and where Laurel returns in her mind and in reality, searching for answers and absolution. The river represents the flow of time, the inevitability of change, and the possibility of release. Laurel's journey to the bridge, accompanied by Sky, becomes a turning point: she confronts her memories, speaks the truth about what happened, and begins to let go of her guilt. The river carries May's ashes, and with them, Laurel's hope for peace.

Love and Letting Go

Laurel's path to healing is marked by forgiveness—of herself, of May, of her parents, and of those who have hurt her. She learns that love is not about holding on, but about letting go. Through therapy, friendship, and the support of her family, Laurel begins to accept that she cannot change the past, but she can choose how to live in the present. She forgives May for leaving, and herself for surviving. The act of scattering May's ashes in the river is both an ending and a beginning—a way to honor the past and embrace the future.

Hannah's Bruises, Natalie's Love

Hannah's story parallels Laurel's: she is abused by her brother, afraid to speak out, and unsure if she deserves love. With Natalie's support, and Laurel's encouragement, Hannah finds the courage to leave home and seek safety. Their relationship, once secret and fraught, becomes a source of strength and visibility. The friends rally around Hannah, helping her to confront her abuser and claim her right to happiness. Their journey is a testament to the power of friendship, honesty, and the refusal to be defined by pain.

Sky's Mystery Unveiled

Sky, once enigmatic and distant, reveals his own wounds: a broken family, anger, and guilt over May's death. His relationship with Laurel is tested by secrets and misunderstandings, but ultimately becomes a space for mutual healing. They learn to see each other as they are, not as reflections of the past. Through honest conversation and shared vulnerability, they move beyond idealization and disappointment, discovering a love that is grounded in truth and acceptance.

Letters Unsent, Truths Unspoken

Laurel's letters, never intended to be read, become her most honest form of expression. Through them, she confronts her deepest fears, desires, and regrets. The act of writing is both cathartic and transformative, allowing her to process her grief and trauma. But the letters also highlight the limits of confession—some truths are too painful to speak aloud, and some wounds cannot be healed by words alone. Ultimately, Laurel chooses to share her letters, turning private pain into a story that can be witnessed and understood.

Breaking the Silence

The climax of Laurel's journey is her decision to break the silence surrounding her trauma. She tells her friends, her mother, and her teacher the truth about what happened to her and to May. This act of courage is both terrifying and liberating, opening the door to support, understanding, and healing. Laurel learns that she is not alone, and that speaking the truth is the first step toward reclaiming her life. The silence that once isolated her is replaced by connection and hope.

Forgiveness and Farewells

Laurel's final acts of forgiveness are both internal and external. She forgives May for leaving, her parents for failing her, and herself for surviving. She says goodbye to the past—not by forgetting, but by integrating it into her story. The scattering of May's ashes is a ritual of release, a way to honor her sister's memory while embracing the possibility of a future. Laurel's farewell is not an erasure, but a transformation—a way to carry May's heart forward.

The Ashes and the Ocean

The family gathers to scatter May's ashes in the river, a symbolic act that connects the past, present, and future. The river, once a site of tragedy, becomes a place of healing and hope. Laurel imagines May's ashes traveling to the ocean, joining the vastness of the world. The ritual is both an ending and a beginning, a way to honor loss while embracing the flow of life. Laurel's poem for May is a final love letter, a testament to the enduring power of memory and connection.

Carrying May's Heart

Laurel learns that healing is not about forgetting, but about carrying the ones we love within us. She finds May's favorite poem, "i carry your heart(i carry it in my heart)," and realizes that her sister's presence endures in memory, in love, and in the person she is becoming. Laurel's room, once a shrine to the past, becomes a space for new beginnings, filled with objects that honor both May and her own emerging identity. She is no longer defined by loss, but by the love she carries forward.

Becoming the Author

Laurel's journey culminates in her decision to become the author of her own story. Inspired by poetry and the act of writing, she chooses to share her letters, transforming private pain into a narrative that can be witnessed and understood. She recognizes that while we cannot control what happens to us, we can choose how to tell our stories, how to make meaning from suffering, and how to shape our own lives. Laurel's voice, once silenced by grief, becomes a source of strength and connection.

Summer's New Beginning

As summer begins, Laurel steps into a new chapter of her life. Her friendships are stronger, her family is healing, and her relationship with Sky is renewed. She finds work, joy, and purpose, and begins to imagine a future beyond loss. The story ends with a sense of possibility: Laurel is no longer defined by what she has lost, but by what she has survived, learned, and created. She carries May's heart, and her own, into the world.

Characters

Laurel

Laurel is a sensitive, introspective teenager struggling to process the death of her older sister, May. Haunted by guilt and trauma, she retreats into herself, using letter-writing as a way to make sense of her pain. Laurel idolizes May, feeling inadequate and invisible in her shadow. Her journey is one of gradual self-discovery: through friendship, love, and the courage to speak her truth, she learns to forgive herself, integrate her loss, and claim her own identity. Laurel's psychological depth is marked by vulnerability, resilience, and a longing for connection.

May

May is Laurel's older sister, whose death is the novel's central mystery and wound. In life, May was dazzling—beautiful, rebellious, and seemingly fearless. But beneath the surface, she struggled with her parents' divorce, her own trauma, and the pressure to be perfect. May's choices, including risky relationships and substance use, reflect her pain and longing for escape. Her relationship with Laurel is both protective and fraught, marked by love, secrets, and the inability to save each other. May's presence lingers, shaping Laurel's journey toward healing.

Sky

Sky is Laurel's love interest, a junior with a troubled past and a reputation for aloofness. Like Laurel, he is haunted by loss—his father's abandonment, his mother's instability, and his own guilt over May's death. Sky's relationship with Laurel is marked by mutual attraction, misunderstanding, and the struggle to be honest. He is both a source of comfort and a mirror for Laurel's pain. Through vulnerability and forgiveness, Sky and Laurel help each other heal, moving from idealization to genuine connection.

Hannah

Hannah is one of Laurel's first friends at her new school. Outgoing and charismatic, she hides deep wounds: the loss of her parents, abuse by her brother, and fear of being truly seen. Hannah's relationship with Natalie is a source of both joy and anxiety, as she struggles to accept her sexuality and claim her right to love. Her journey is one of survival, courage, and the gradual embrace of her own worth. Hannah's resilience and humor mask a longing for safety and acceptance.

Natalie

Natalie is Laurel's other close friend, a talented artist with a quiet strength. She is deeply in love with Hannah, and their relationship is a central thread of the novel. Natalie's loyalty, honesty, and capacity for forgiveness make her a grounding presence in the group. She struggles with the pain of secrecy and rejection, but ultimately finds the courage to claim her love and support Hannah through her darkest moments. Natalie's growth is marked by self-acceptance and the willingness to fight for happiness.

Laurel's Mother

Laurel's mother flees to California after May's death, unable to cope with her own grief and guilt. Her absence is a source of pain and anger for Laurel, who feels abandoned and blamed. Over time, the mother's return and willingness to confront the past become a catalyst for healing. She is a complex figure—loving but flawed, broken but trying. Her journey mirrors Laurel's: both must learn to forgive themselves and each other, and to find a way back to connection.

Laurel's Father

Laurel's father is emotionally withdrawn after May's death, retreating into work and routine. He struggles to communicate with Laurel, but his love is evident in small gestures and moments of vulnerability. The loss of his family and the weight of his own guilt make him a quiet, tragic figure. Over time, he begins to open up, supporting Laurel's healing and participating in rituals of remembrance. His journey is one of gradual reconnection and acceptance.

Aunt Amy

Aunt Amy is Laurel's maternal aunt, a devout Christian who becomes a surrogate parent after May's death. She is both overprotective and deeply caring, struggling with her own loneliness and longing for love. Her faith is a source of comfort and rigidity, but she ultimately learns to trust Laurel and support her growth. Aunt Amy's vulnerability and generosity make her a quietly heroic figure, offering stability and acceptance in a world turned upside down.

Tristan and Kristen

Tristan and Kristen are older students who befriend Laurel, Natalie, and Hannah. Their relationship is passionate and unconventional, marked by creativity, humor, and the looming end of high school. They serve as mentors and role models, embodying the possibilities and uncertainties of growing up. Their impending separation—Kristen to college, Tristan to local life—mirrors the novel's themes of change, loss, and the courage to move forward.

May's Abuser (Billy)

Billy is the older boy who abuses Laurel during her movie nights with May. His actions are the hidden trauma at the heart of Laurel's guilt and grief. Billy's presence is a reminder of the dangers that lurk beneath the surface of adolescence, and the ways in which silence and secrecy can perpetuate harm. Confronting the truth about Billy is essential to Laurel's healing and her ability to forgive herself and May.

Plot Devices

Epistolary Structure

The novel is told entirely through Laurel's letters to dead celebrities, creating an intimate, confessional tone. This structure allows for nonlinear storytelling, blending past and present, memory and imagination. The letters serve as both a shield and a bridge—Laurel can say what she cannot speak aloud, and in doing so, she connects with the world and herself. The epistolary form also highlights the power and limits of language: some truths can only be written, not spoken.

Symbolism of the River and Bridge

The bridge over the river is a recurring symbol of transition, danger, and memory. It is the site of May's death, Laurel's trauma, and ultimately, her release. The river represents the flow of time, the possibility of change, and the movement from past to future. Crossing the bridge, returning to the river, and scattering May's ashes are all rituals of transformation, marking Laurel's journey from grief to acceptance.

Intertextuality and Allusion

Laurel's letters to figures like Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, and Amelia Earhart are more than a narrative device—they are a way of exploring themes of loss, fame, vulnerability, and survival. Each icon represents a facet of Laurel's experience: the pressure to perform, the pain of being misunderstood, the longing for escape. Their stories become touchstones for Laurel's own, offering both caution and comfort.

Foreshadowing and Gradual Revelation

The novel withholds key information—about May's death, Laurel's abuse, and the family's unraveling—until Laurel is ready to confront it. Flashbacks, dreams, and fragmented memories build suspense and emotional intensity. The gradual revelation of the truth mirrors the process of healing: only by facing the past can Laurel move forward.

Parallel Storylines

Laurel's journey is echoed in the stories of her friends: Hannah's abuse and coming out, Natalie's struggle for acceptance, Sky's family wounds. These parallel narratives reinforce the novel's themes of trauma, resilience, and the power of connection. The group's rituals—parties, sleepovers, burning letters—become collective acts of survival and hope.

Analysis

Love Letters to the Dead is a raw, lyrical exploration of grief, trauma, and the search for identity in the aftermath of loss. Through the epistolary form, Ava Dellaira gives voice to the silences that haunt adolescence: the secrets we keep, the pain we hide, and the longing to be understood. The novel's power lies in its honesty—Laurel's journey is messy, nonlinear, and deeply human. By weaving together personal and cultural histories, Dellaira shows how we are shaped by those we love and lose, and how healing requires both the courage to speak and the willingness to listen. The story is ultimately one of hope: that even in the face of unimaginable pain, we can find connection, forgiveness, and the strength to carry our hearts forward.

Last updated: May 15, 2025