Monique's fan mail and correspondence:

"Dear Monique,

Just to let you know I started your book (The Four Winds of Heaven) over Shabbat and it is one hot read!
Love it!"

Linda Yellin, Professor of Sociology, Cal State University, Northridge, Barnard College Class of 1976
February 18, 2009

"Dear Monique,

How did you ever keep all those story threads straight in your head, much less on paper?  Four Winds is absolutely transporting and wonderfully suspenseful.  My heart goes out to so many of the characters in so many ways – and I am not a pushover.  Bravo!

Warmly,"

Shirley Vernick
October 10, 2008

"Dear Monique,

"I loved The Four Winds Of Heaven. I told Ben it would make a wonderful movie, albeit expensive, but great. I haven't seen a truly fascinating movie in ages, 'cause they just don't make them anymore.

"It exquisitely transported me in time to a captivating era, in Russia at the turn into the 20th century . A wondrous trip where I found myself lost in a hauntingly beautiful time when Russian was in it's glory days of the Tsars and their extravagances, to the hauntingly painful hardships of the simple peasants and those who became less fortunate during an historic time of wars and frustration for all who lived in the forever changed country they had once loved.

"The passions and the prejudices in the lives and loves of it's characters is so moving, that I found myself having to remove my glasses to clean them from my tears, as I felt the emotions of the heros and heroines while enduring the events that enfolded. Then smiling when something wonderful would happen.

"As I said I haven't read anything this fascinating in ages and it would make a very worthwhile and award winning movie. A movie classic.

"Thank you, Monique, for this extremely enjoyable read right to the end."

Quinn O'Hara, Los Angeles, CA
September 25, 2008



“Oh, I cried last night when I finished Keeper of the Walls. It was so, so good. It felt so real. You included the sweep of so many different characters, painted such a living tableau. Your mastery of this form and ability to describe the feelings and motives of these different people takes my breath away. I don't think that one loses such talent.

I also get the feeling that you did solid historical research which is so important to me as a reader. I hate to single out the concentration camp in particular but those chapters did stand out for me in particular as seeming to have verisimilitude since I have read so many descriptions, Elie Wiesel's and others.

There's a lot more that's wonderful in this book but these are only those that come to mind immediately.

KATHY SEAL, Coauthor, Motivated Minds: Raising Children to Love Learning (Holt, 2001)
www.Kathyseal.net
January 28, 2006



Dear Ms. High,

I found a website of yours on the internet and I just wanted to write to you to let you know how much I enjoyed your books. I have read every single one at least twice. I believe the last one you wrote was in 1988; "Between Two Worlds". I was just wondering if you were ever going to write any more books.

Sincerely,

Tracy Pulice
July 16, 2003



Hello,

I'm Celia Beryl Philips, 16yrs. Forgive me because I dont know whether this mail goes to the right person. I got it from a pal.

I believe this belongs to Monique Raphael High. I've read just two of your works mam, and am rather enveloped by the style of each. The novels are "The Four winds of heaven" & "Encore". they are so fine that I read them about the umpteenth time. They belonged to my Granddad.

I'm a schoolgirl with lots of interest in literature but have no body to share my ideas with. My pals are all not interested in it as I am. I would be very happy if you reply to this mail. I would treasure it with adorance to its acme. I'm sorry if this reaches the wrong hands.

With lots of love, expecting your mail,

Celia



My Dear Ma’am

It feels as if I’ve jumped into an ocean where elation and solace reign. I must admit that your affectionate letter as sown the seeds of confidence in me. It was my first letter to a very popular and a most wanted person. I think it’s momentous to thank you for you are a connoisseur.

Let me introduce myself. I’m Celia Beryl Philips, 16 years old. I’ll be 17 on the 13th of August. I’m an Indian. But I stay in Oman (Middle East) because my parents work here. I came here when I was 3. My mother is a history teacher in my school. Her name is Stephini. My daddy whose name is Beryl is working in the ministry. I’ve one brother. His name is Cecil, 12 years.

I come from South India, Kerala. My granddad (daddy’s father) loved reading. When my dad married my mother, Granddad gave all his books to her because she had a passion for reading.

Yes I loved my granddad a lot. In fact I was the only fortunate one of all his grandchildren to see him. I mean he died when I was 2 years old. The saddest thing was that he died two days after celebrating my second birthday.

My mom’s family is replete with poets and playwrights galore. And I write poems but seldom give them to anyone to read.

My teacher used to encourage me a lot. Like poets and painters I had a patron. But she left the school and with her went my language. Like I said before my pals aren’t interested in listening to my outpours after reading.

I don’t have pets here. I love reading and drawing pictures. I sing and dance. I’m being prepared to become a doctor (like any other person). But my interest lies in Literature. My insatiable desires of reading away to glory, still hidden in my inner self, are waiting to be set free. But I think it’s the society that rules one fate. I mean in India one who is a doctor gets the highest position. I hope I’m not making it boring for you, writing so much. I love writing. And I do write letters to my imaginary friends. Hope you won’t deride my pastime as childish. My pals at school laugh at me when I speak about my unreal pals (some of the characters are Cherry wine, Blossoms etc)

Ma’am, I’ve read only two of your novels and have found that there is something more in them than just being interesting. Each time I read them I get furnished with new words. I’m sure that I’ll get hold of your latest book ‘Keeping Score’ at any cost. I’ve often wondered how you get such beautiful ideas.

I take it that they are from your grand mother’s diaries. I love reading about Russia.

I’m not carrying this lengthy letter to a greater extent. I hope I would be able to write like you someday in the years to come.

My regards to your husband, Natalie, Steve and little Evan. Hope you’ll be able to write more novels with the same finesse that would be treasured by millions like me.

Wishing you best of best,
Expecting your mail,

Celia
February, 2002



Tell your friend Norman (Bogner) that I am almost finishing your book and that his book will be the next and i will let you know what were my thoughts about his book.

I am very proud of your Grandmother and the book is fascinating me! There are persons who are remarkable and you must be very proud of her as well as yr father.

Before reading your book I read another book about the Russian Revolution called "Helena". The name of the author if i am not mistakem, is Judith Egan (?), and is also the history of her family and how they get separated during the revolution. She never saw her family again. This was also a true history about her and her husband.

The details of the book are so fantastic that i can almost see the houses, the jewelry, the paintings, etc. Congratulations once again !! Today i am reading the part were the lady, Sonia, kills herserlf because of Johanna de Mey. I want to kill Johanna for the pain she is causing everyone !

The children are always nice and they are very smart nowadays !!

(From a letter by Antônio Mesquita of Brazil - May 21, 2005)



Good afternoon,

My name is Shanna Davis, and my grandmother was Rochelle Jibilian. I don't know if you remember her or not, but she was a huge fan of yours and as I understand it, she met with you several years ago. She contacted you after reading several books you authored about Russia as that is where she was from. My grandmother passed away about 18 years ago. I now have children of my own and feel bad that neither myself nor my children will know her stories. I was wondering if by any chance you still happened to have any notes you may have taken while meeting with her or any recordings of conversations that I could get copies of. Please understand that I would want copies of these only for posterity and that I would have no intention of using then for any other purpose.

I look forward to hearing from you, and although I would be delighted if you had anything, after all of this time, I wouldn't expect that you would.

Thanks so much.

Shanna Davis
April 5, 2005



"Hi, it’s a pleasure to write you, some friends and I are looking for your work in Spanish, help us please."

Jesús F. Reyes Martínez, Architect, Mexico



Dear Monique High,

I am sorry to bother you but unfortunately I could not find solution to my problem anywhere. I have found your book a few months ago at local library. Since then I've read three more. Your books are very touching. Especially for people like me - my parents are Jewish from Ukraine. Now they are in Israel. Since my first book of yours I've been trying to find your books are translated to Russian to be able to share the pleasure with my parents. They can not read in English, only Russian. However, my search was unsuccessful. Today I found your website and decided to dare to ask you a favor. If there is a possibility to get your translated book please let me know.

Sincerely,

Anna

LETTERS WITH RESPONSES

JULIE FERRONE

June 5, 2009

Dear Monique- seeing you , how elegant and generous you are was awesome.  Your presence and demeanor have enlightened and inspired me. You are the mother of Natalia, of Pierre and Boris. I wish we could have discussed the characters in more detail.

They are as real as the raindrops of this evening.

I am attaching what I wrote about Encore.. I am dying to read the others, especially Reunion.

I can see you must have studied dance, there is the grace of the Oblanova in you, you just glow with an indefinable charm.
Many thanks for having me at your reunion.
 
With great admiration
Julie

From: monique@moniqueraphelhigh.com
To: Julie

Dearest Julie,

This touching email has gripped my heart, and I find myself reading it with tears in my eyes.  As I think that Maristella told you, I left New York not for home, but for a friend’s house in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where we had no Internet. This is why I answer you with so many days’ lateness.  You know I would have replied at once.

It was a true joy to meet you at our Class Dinner.  I told my mother about meeting you, and about what you said.  Now I will share it with my agent, and place your review—how splendid it is!—on my website in a place of honor. You are a lovely, smart, beautiful young woman, and now, you are also my friend. I am so pleased that we share our passion for Maristella, for dance, for good books… and that we simply like each other so very much.

Please feel free to telephone me any time, dear Julie.  My number is (310) 788-8413 (PST).
Love,
Monique

June 15: Julie to Monique

Dear Monique:
 
I am so honored and feel a rush of emotions going through me like electrical waves.... you enjoyed my review and I almost see the precious tears in your eyes.. I'm... numb almost! You are graceful like the ethereal Giselle I saw at the Met, delicate like the wings of the ballerina's dress as she floats in the air.

You are truly a unique person, you feel and with intensity, a quality that is rare in a world of passing illusions, beliefs and attitudes. People are drawn to you like a moth to a flame, and you are simply yourself, unpretentious. Yes, I see Natalia's beauty, her passion for life, the raw yet elegant emotions. You have a big heart like she did, I can tell.

I hope you and Ben had a safe flight home and I hope to hear from you soon.

Julie
 
June 20: Monique to Julie

Dearest Julie,

You are so wonderful, sweetheart! I’m thrilled to receive this email. But now it’s your turn. I don’t just want to hear about you from our beloved Maristella. I want to hear your story from YOU!

Love,
Monique

KATE MCGINNIS

April 22, 2009

Dear Monique,
 
Your new web site is beautiful!!  I am very excited about your new book.  Do you know when it will be published?  I'll buy a copy for everyone I know, and brag that I know the author.
 
 
Am I allowed to do that?
 
Kate

Monique to Kate:

Darling Kate,
Of course you can do that! But I’m only on p. 214! It will take time to finish!
Love,
Monique

Monday, June 01, 2009
Kate to Monique: Women's wishes

Dear Monique,

It has been a long time since I wrote you last.  I'll bet your new book is almost finished by now.  I can't wait! Or maybe you're so busy with the class reunion that you haven't had time to write much. 

I just read Jean Rhys' (sp?) book "Wide Sargasso Sea."  It reminded me so much of the women you write about, who don't want to be independent but have to.  My mother laughs and says that we don't get a free pass to life just because we're born female.  But I really, really would like a boyfriend who will take care of me, and make all the hard decisions.  Is that wrong?

Your cat is beautiful, but I'll bet you have to brush him ALL the time!

Love,
Kate

Monique to Kate: Women's wishes
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 2009

Dearest Kate,

“The Wide Sargasso Sea” is a beautiful novel. My own novel is halfway done now, and as I’m about to leave tonight for New York for my class reunion, I’ll also be seeing the agent who will represent it, whose office is there.  I have to share with you that he is enthusiastic and feels that the four women characters really breathe life; this has given me a great deal of joy, as this man seldom gives out any sort of compliment.  Yay!

Your discussion with your mom interests me, and happens to be the theme of my current novel.  It’s also really the theme of our class reunion.  Honestly, your mom is right: as women, we’re never given a free ride.  We all do wish to have the world all ways: we want to find the ideal career, and a fabulous man to love us and take care of everything.  The men, on the other hand, want to have a woman who will remain beautiful forever, be pleasant, and take care of them.  I watched the Churchill film last night on HBO, and marveled at how well Clemmie Churchill managed her brilliant but very difficult husband. I would have told him to go fly a kite more often than not in her situation—but she didn’t; she was wise and perspicacious.  It’s another matter we women have to learn: to be judicious and choose our battles.

But the world has changed for young women.  And it’s a very good thing.  A young woman can actually have a lot of what she wants, and the men around have been educated to be gentlemen and gentle souls, show emotion, and care well for their women.  There’s nothing wrong with looking for a man to care for you.  But you must also develop resilience.  You must always ask yourself, “What if he does not?”  Or, “What if something happens to him?”

I must go back to my packing, dear one.  Tomorrow we leave for New York!

A hug to you,

Monique

From Kate to Monique: 6/19/09 Another suggestion

Dear Monique,

Thank you for answering!  I sent my last message to you and got back your 'away' message and just felt terrible about having broken your rule.  But I didn't know until it was too late!  Of course, I immediately wanted to reply with an apology - but that would have been totally wrong and just made it worse.  So frustrating and silly!

I am looking forward to your book.  If I buy a copy and mail it to you, would you sign it for me?

Today I found another woman you should write about.  Lady Grange.  Here is an article about her.  I think she's just right for you, totally different from V S Naipaul's first wife, but still your kind of character.

Lady Grange on Archaelogy Daily (link)

I read an article about Mr. Naipaul that was published in a magazine a few years ago.  It said that his new wife told a reporter, "If my daughter ever told me she wanted to marry a writer, I would give her such a slap!"

I am going to try to save this and send it to you after the 15th.  If I remember.  If I don't make a mistake and send it now by accident. 

Love,
Kate

Note added today:  I remembered!  I hope hope hope hope hope your trip to New York was wonderful.

6/20/09 Monique to Kate: Finally back!

Dearest Kate,

Well, I’m finally back, and so much work still to be done thanking everyone for such a beautiful Reunion!  We were 100 “reuniters” in our class.  It was beautiful!

Of course I would sign the book.  But I need to finish it first. I saw my agent, Mel Berger, and he loves it so far, which is very heartening; he’s a tough taskmaster.

I can’t wait to explore the site you sent me.  It will be exciting.

We’ll write soon at greater length.  I’m still sooo tired!

Love,
Monique

KATHLEEN GARRETT

Dear Monique,

I have just read your book the Four Winds of Heaven and would like to know if there is a sequel?  I haven't been able to find any reference to one nor could I find a book review of Encore on line.  I loved the story!  Surely there is a continuation of the family in another story.

Thank you for taking the time to read my email.  I really didn't know how else to contact you.
It was such a pleasure to be introduced to you as an author with the Four Winds of Heaven.
Regards,

Kathleen Garrett

Monique’s Answer:

Dear Kathleen,
What a beautiful email!  Thank you so much for loving my book!  And how amazing that you would choose this moment to write to me, when I am about to begin a new novel!
It’s a bloom of encouragement to me.
I always intended to write a sequel to The Four Winds of Heaven, which is why so many threads were left hanging, mainly:

  1. Is Gino still alive?
  2. What happened to Natasha and Ossip?
  3. Did Anna and her son ever come together?

I do, actually, plan to get to this.


I’m surprised that you haven’t found any reviews of Encore.  In my opinion, it’s my best book (so far, says she modestly).  I have many of them, but would need to scan them for you into email, as they are in hard copy.  Unfortunately, our scanner is currently down; we’ve had some work done in our kitchen, and those scoundrels destroyed the phone line that connects the scanner/fax line.  Sigh…

Again, your email made my day and my evening last night when I received it!  Have a terrific weekend!

Warmly,
Monique

Kathleen:

Dear Monique,

Thank you so much for answering my email. 
I can't wait for you to finish the story.  Several other friends who have read it feel the same.  We have to know what happened to Gino, Ossip and the rest of the family.  Hope you write it soon. 
I am going to order Encore on line as it was not available at any of the stores I went to.  I can't wait to read it!

Thanks again for your note. 
Regards,
Kathleen

Kathleen:

Dear Monique,

I am an avid reader of all subject matter.  I just love to read.  I usually have about two books going at once.  Usually completely opposite subject matter such as murder mystery, historic romance or biography.

I am part of a book swap club.  The group consists of all ages mostly female and they live all over the country.  It started out with family and friends and has grown from there. 
This summer James Patterson was big with his Women's Murder Club.  Philippa Gregory is another author I enjoyed reading.  And currently, I am reading a series by Jack Whyte called "The Camulod Chronicles.” 

I live in Austin, Texas with my family.  My son is adopted from Russia.  I found the Country and the people absolutely wonderful.  So I can't wait to read "Encore.”  I also love the ballet and Russia has always had such wonderful programs. 

Thanks for taking the time to find out about your readers.  We will be anxiously awaiting your sequel.  Chuckle!

Regards,

Kathleen

Monique:

Oh, Kathleen, how interesting and wonderful!

A book swap club; now, I have many friends who belong to book clubs, where they read and discuss the same book each month.  I also have writer and author friends who belong to writer clubs.  But your idea is lovely!
Do you ever get authors to come and speak at meetings?

I love Austin.  It’s one of the prettiest towns I know.  I don’t know it well, but I did go to a fabulous restaurant with oak floors there.  It was a gabled house.  This must strike a bell.  It’s an excellent restaurant.  One of the students I taught at UCLA invited me when I was a guest at a horse ranch in Nixon.

I’m so touched by your wonderful story about your son.  I was married to a Russian in the Eighties.  He passed away of cancer two years later, but you’re right—the country and the people are amazing.  The day I met him, I felt that he had stepped out of the pages of one of my books.  I was at a very staid event, and he walked between many black-clad people and took me into his arms, and started to dance.  There was only a background chamber-music group playing, but that didn’t matter to him.  That was how we met, and I married him six weeks later.

Warmest regards,
Monique

QUINN O’HARA, Actress

Dear Monique,

I loved "The Four Winds of Heaven."  I told Ben it would make a wonderful movie, albeit expensive, but great.  I haven't seen a truly fascinating movie in ages, 'cause they just don't make them anymore.

It exquisitely transported me in time to a captivating era, in Russia at the turn into the 20th century.  A wondrous trip where I found myself lost in a hauntingly beautiful time when Russian was in its glory days of the Tsars and their extravagances, to the hauntingly painful hardships of the simple peasants and those who became less fortunate during an historic time of wars and frustration for all who lived in the forever-changed country they had once loved.

The passions and the prejudices in the lives and loves of its characters is so moving, that I found myself having to remove my glasses to clean them from my tears, as I felt the emotions of the heroes and heroines while enduring the events that enfolded.  Then smiling when something wonderful would happen.

As I said I haven't read anything this fascinating in ages and it would make a very worthwhile and award winning movie.  A movie classic.

Thank you, Monique, for this extremely enjoyable read right to the end.

Quinn O'Hara
Los Angeles, CA
September 25, 2008

Quinn, on the suggestion of playing Juanita in The Four Winds of Heaven:

Dear Monique,

In a heartbeat.............Re: playing Juanita.  That is an Academy Award role.  She is
such a biatch!!!  I'd love to see this come to the screen.

Casting would be such pleasure for whoever would have the honor.  There isn't
an actor that wouldn't want to play any of the characters.  From the very bankable
Angelina Jolie to Kiera Knightly and from Johnny Depp, Yes Johnny Depp to Richard
Gere and then there are the European and Israeli names.  I could go on and on.

Thank you for the kind words and heartwarming signing (autographing of the novel). 

Love and Laughter,

Quinn

2 03 09 Quinn to Monique on picking up Encore, the last book of Monique’s Quinn hasn’t read yet:

You are my favorite author.  You, You fabulous You!!!

Love,
Quinn

KATE McGINISS

Thursday, January 22, 2009 2:24 PM

As soon as I saw the review for "The World Is What It Is" by Patrick French, I knew that you were born to (barely) fictionalize the story of V S Naipaul's wife.  It is exactly the kind of story that you could show best, if you let yourself look at it without blinking.

Kate

Monique

Dear Kate,

I am extraordinarily flattered.  I almost blocked your email because I didn’t recognize your name or email address, but out of curiosity, I decided to check it out anyway.  I’m so glad that like my cat, Sebastian, I allowed my inveterate curiosity to win out!  Thank you for writing!

You are right: her story is, indeed, exactly the sort of life that appeals to me.  I’ll read the book in detail.

I have just, however, started a new book entitled Yearbook, which details the lives of four women from 1965 through 2009.  It would be difficult to abandon this project after so much planning.  But afterward, I could develop your idea!

Please tell me about yourself!

Best wishes,

Monique

And Kate:
2 05 09 KMG you answered!

Thank you so much for answering my email.  You must be so busy, I never expected to hear back from you.  Plus I never wrote a fan letter before, and figured it wasn't a very good one.

I had to change my email because I forgot my password, I guess.  My mom says I was born in the wrong century.  I really am not good with computers at all.  She wanted to give me a cell phone, but I asked for a dog instead.  She gave me a bookstore gift certificate, which was okay too.

I hope you'll finish your new book soon.  I can't wait to read it.  I like your heroines because they aren't all heroic.  They are like normal girls that just want their lives to be calm and normal, and don't know how to fight back when they have trouble.  That's why I thought you would be the right one to tell the story of VS Naipaul’s wife.

Anyway, thanks so much for answering my email.  I printed it out, and am saving it.

Kate

Monique:

Dear Kate,

Of course I answered.  It was an excellent letter.

Electronica are very complicated.  They confuse me, too.  I have a new iPhone, and when I wanted to download the 30 photos I had just taken to my computer, I instead downloaded the 7,000 photos I had stored inside my computer onto my iPhone.  It was a disaster, as you can imagine!

Although a cell phone is very practical, a dog is warm, cuddly, and loyal.  You can’t cuddle with a cell phone, and when you’re sick, your cell phone won’t come on the bed to guard you.  I have two cats.  One is very old, but the young one won’t leave my side.  I wouldn’t trade either one for any piece of equipment.  I’m attaching a photo of me with

Sebastian, this very special kitty.  What’s your dog’s name and what kind is he/she?

Thank you for the wonderful things you have said about my books.  This is just the sort of reaction I am trying to elicit in my readers.  I am so glad to have achieved this with you.  I now have the Naipaul biography and can’t wait to read it.  I know about Pat and Margaret, and I agree—Pat’s life is just the sort of story I would love to “get into.”

Tell me more about yourself.  Where do you live?  Etc., etc.

A bientôt,

Monique

From BARBARA NOVAK, the “Mother of American Art History, retired Professor of Art History at Barnard College and Columbia University.  Author of “Alice’s Neck” and “The Margaret Ghost”:
2 05 09 Novak reading Encore

Dear Monique,

How utterly delightful Encore is!  It arrived the other day and I have been transported to a totally delicious place, Russia and the ballet, enlivened by your very special gifts of description and atmosphere, which bring me so immediately into your characters and their thoughts that I feel palpably aware of them, and am reading with such pleasure that I can hardly put it down.  I'm rarely so engrossed with a novel, and just want to thank you for sending it ahead.  It gives me something to look forward to in my day.  I really forget where I am!

All best, Barbara

 

Dear Monique:

I am still so engrossed with Encore, I've become a very removed companion in the O'Doherty household.  Last night you had me reading till !:30 ( when I'm normally asleep anywhere from 9  to 11!)

Your plot surprises are extraordinary and now Brian can't wait to read it.  (Barbara is married to Irish artist and author Brian O’Doherty.)

Warmest thoughts,
Barbara

Barbara to Monique on both their books:
2 11 09 Barbara to Monique: Van Gogh’s Orchids and Encore

Darling Monique,
I have to tell you I'm thrilled with your reaction to Van Gogh’s Orchids, especially having finished Encore.  It occupied me all of last week, and I am so impressed with the depth of your characters who I now know so thoroughly, and your superb plot twists, all unexpected by me!

I am still hoping I can be able to forestall Europe in June and join you and your class.  My fingers are crossed at this point.  Brian has to be in Ireland in June to do an important installation (a fort within a fort in the town of Kinsale, which has great food!) but I'm trying to work out the calendar in favour of Barnard if possible, since I always go with him as his assistant on these pieces.  (Monique was Reunion Chair for her Barnard Class, and invited Barbara as a favorite professor to the Class Dinner.)

I really look forward to meeting you (Barbara taught many of Monique’s friends, but never Monique, herself).  Your writing is gloriously passionate.

All best

Barbara