In an age of Tinder and ephemeral exchanges, a full scale love story forged by pen is almost inconceivable. Yet rewind to World War II and this was how Chris Barker, a signalman in North Africa, and Bessie Moore, his former post office colleague began a lifelong romance. London-based author Simon Garfield came across a treasure trove of their correspondences, over 500 letters in all, while researching "To the Letter," his 2013 book on letter writing for Canongate Books.

After the letters were rapturously received during Letters Live—a series of recital events with leading actors spearheaded by Canongate’s Jamie Byng and curator Julien Planté­—Garfield edited the dialogue into "My Dear Bessie," published last month. “Most famous people will be writing as a famous person with a reputation and there’s a limit to how much they give in a letter but these are very raw,” says Garfield, of why Chris and Bessie’s letters read by Benedict Cumberbatch and his "Sherlock" co-star Louise Brealey resonated so much with the audience. “The great thing is that they were written in total innocence and they were both so caught up in their love. You don’t read that stuff so often. That expression of love.”

Letters Live runs from March 31–April 4 at Freemasons' Hall, London.