This was the little book I found last month in the second-hand bookshop at The National Trust Property - Oxburgh Hall in Norfolk.
Henrietta's War by Joyce Dennys, which I'd read many years ago. It's a little fiction book of 'letters to a friend' with Joyce's humourous illustrations, which I quickly re-read and will keep with my Home Front collection.
Joyce Dennys was born, in 1893, in India. The Dennys family relocated to England in 1896. Dennys enjoyed drawing lessons throughout her schooling and later enrolled at Exeter Art School. As she got older, her drawing took a backseat to the domestic and social duties of a mother and doctor's wife and she became increasingly frustrated. She voiced her frustrations through the character of Henrietta, a heroine she created for an article for Sketch. These writings were later compiled to form Henrietta's War, first published in 1985.
Illustrated by the author. Purports to be wartime letters to a friend serving overseas, written by a doctor's wife who lives in a seaside town in Devon.
This book sounds fascinating and the author creative.
ReplyDeleteSmall book, quick read but interesting and funny
DeleteHow many little gems like this must disappear without trace.
ReplyDeleteThankfully there are several publishers now rescuing older books. British Library, Little Toller, Dean St Press and there are others I can't think of at the moment!
DeleteI absolutely love the Henrietta books and have read them over and over again. Joyce Dennys illustrated other authors' books and wrote several herself.
ReplyDeleteThis was only my second time of reading it but now I have it to keep and read again
DeleteThese books sound light-hearted and fun.
ReplyDeleteA nice little quick read
DeleteJust my kind of book - they did reprint but it is hard to get hold of so a good discovery.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to look online to see what it costs on abe or amazon
DeleteThat looks to be a fascinating little book. I think that the Exeter School of Art was originally part of the Royal Albert Museum before moving to different premises later on. I wonder which seaside town it was that was mentioned! I’d love to find a copy to read. Have a good day! 😁
ReplyDeleteHope you find a copy - I expect some libraries might have it
DeleteWell I'll say this Sue - she certainly found a jolly good way to vent her frustration,
ReplyDeleteYes it's a nice little book with fun illustrations
DeleteThat sounds like a fascinating little book. I've been so good at keeping my expenditure down with food and things but not with books. I must have bought off Amazon used books about five times last month according to my card statement. Must do better ... me that is not you. :-)
ReplyDeleteI had a month like that a while ago - people kept mentioning books that sounded good which the library didn't have!
DeleteDoing better this month.
I keep forgetting to look at your rationing blog - so I must do better at that!
That sounds an interesting book, spending money on books never seems like an indulgence to me - I try to use libraries but just sometimes it's lovely to have a book treat isn't it? X
ReplyDeleteAlison in Wales x
I'm quite good at buying books! But thankful most of what I read are library books
DeleteThe book sounds interesting, reflecting a woman's thoughts and experiences which can run the gambit. The book might be a collectible.
ReplyDeleteI've certainly added it to my collection!
DeleteImpossible to get over here at any sort of reasonable price.
ReplyDeleteAmazon has it for sale, used. And Thriftbooks offers it, too.
DeleteThe prices are unreasonable. My daughter lives in UK. I've asked her to keep a look out for me.
DeleteI love this book, and the second one is still waiting on my shelf.
ReplyDeleteIt's a long time since I read the second . It might turn up second hand somewhere to also add to my collection
Delete