If I had to pick a favourite Don Rosa story, it would without a doubt be A Letter From Home. As someone who is incredibly close to my family, and my siblings in particular, it hits so hard. I love Scrooge and Matilda’s reconciliation. I love their initial hostility, and them coming around to realize they were both wrong about one another and accepting that, so they can move on.
When I first read it, it was what really sold me on Don Rosa as a writer - I already adored his artstyle by then. I read it as it was fist published in its full Swedish translation, as a three-parter while my brother was subscribed to the Donald Duck magazine (he never read them, but I sure did!). I was mesmerized by the knowledge that Scrooge had a family, as I had never been introduced to Life and Times at that point (I was only about 10).
Now, having read and reread Life and Times a thousand times, Letter hits harder every time I reread it as well. It’s such a beautiful story, and it has such raw emotion.
I also love Matilda as a character in this story. She never really had much time to shine next to Hortense. Hortense was always the fierce sister, and Matilda the more restrained and sensitive. Seeing her be as emotionally vulnerable, but also toughened by age and matching Scrooge’s snarky bitterness is both a sad and intrigued evolution. She bites back, and isn’t afraid to put Scrooge in his place. It is an honest shame we’ll probably never see her portrayed thusly in future comics.
All in all, I too agree that Letter is the ideal conclusion to Life and Times as most of us Duckfans do. Along with The Prisoner of White Agony Creek, I’d say it’s Rosa’s greatest story and dare I admit I like it a little bit more than Prisoner, even. I still remember seeing Scrooge cry in Letter as a child, knowing he’d always been the tough guy, never backing down and never opening up to let himself be truly vulnerable. It stuck with me, and does to this day.
I thank Don Rosa (and ofc Carl Barks) for making Scrooge McDuck one of my favourite characters of all time. I also thank him for writing some of my favourite stories, stories I believe everyone should pick up at least once.
If you know nothing of Scrooge McDuck, and think he’s some capitalist’s wet dream, read Life and Times. That’s all I can say. And when you have, read a Letter From Home. It will leave you in tears, and you’ll never regret it!
Hell, even if you do know him - read it anyway!
