Dear Enemy

Dear Enemy by Jean Webster was first published in 1915 and is the sequel to Daddy-Long-Legs which was published in 1912. Both books are written as correspondence. Sally MacBride went to college with Judy Abbott and much of their friendship is described in the first book. In Dear Enemy Sally, who has spent the past few years as a socialite, reluctantly agrees to take charge of the John Grier Home for Children, the children's home where Judy spent her life before college. 

In Sally's correspondence to Judy we learn of the the challenges and joys Sally encounters when trying to improve the conditions of the home for the one hundred plus children living there. Letters are also written to a politician friend and to the local doctor who works with her at the children's home and who she comes to refer to as 'Dear Enemy' in her correspondence.

As well as providing a usually amusing account of the life of the women writing the letters in Dear Enemy and Daddy-Long-Legs the author provides an insight into life and expectations for young women in the first part of the twentieth century. Penguin Books published both the books in one volume in 2004. It contains an introduction to the books by Elaine Showalter. Jean Webster drew the illustrations used throughout both novels.

Massif

Garth Nix is a well known Australian author of fantasy novels both for adults and young adult readers. His latest novel, Massif, takes the reader into space where communities have established bases on Massifs - pieces of mountainous land that have been propelled into space where they are controlled by an avatar. The avatar provided visitors with craft called Basics which could be used for space expeditions. Much of the equipment that came from outside the world of Massifs would not work in a Massif environment. Those who arrived from earth had therefore to rely on Massif technology when in a region controlled by Massifs. The number of Massifs grew and were often used as bases for battles in space.

One spacecraft operating from the DrummerBoy Massif was Sassafras which was operated by Parnell, Kaz, Ricka, Shille, Aditi and Murad. On one mission Sassafras and other craft from the squadron were attacked. Kaz had left the main ship in a rider, a smaller craft, in order to assist in the battle. Then she disappeared. The Sassafras managed to return to base but was confirmed to be out of action. The crew wanted to rescue Kaz but first they needed a new craft for the mission. To complicate matters the DrummerBoy Massif was being evacuated. Parnell and his team were on their own with their actions monitored by the whim of the avatar, DrummerBoy.

The novel, Massif by Garth Nix, involves the reader with the challenges faced by Parnell and his team as they attempt to rescue their team member and also learn to understand more about the avatar which is attempting to control their lives. 

Massif - Readings

Massif - New Zealand Book Lovers

Daddy-Long-Legs

When The Correspondent by Virginia Evans was announced as the 2026 Women's Prize for Fiction where the story is revealed through a series of letters written by the main character, I immediately thought of the book, Daddy Long Legs, written and illustrated by Jean Webster, which I enjoyed reading, and rereading, many years ago. I still have my copy which was given to me probably around 1960. Consequently I decided to read the book again and enjoyed returning to the world of Judy Abbott.

Judy Abbott is an orphan who has spent her life living and working in an orphanage. But her life changes when one of the orphanage trustees, who wants to remain anonymous, offers her the chance to attend college for four years. The only payment he requests is that she write to him about her progress each month. He will not be replying to her letters.

Judy's story, past and present, is therefore told in the letters that she writes to a man that she only knows by a version of his shadow that she spied when he left the orphanage. He was obviously very tall and thin so she called him Daddy-Long-Legs. 

At college Judy makes some new friends including Sally McBride and Julia Rutledge Pendleton and during the holidays has the opportunity to stay at a farm and visit the home of friends. Judy's life has definitely changed for the better and, via the help of Daddy-Long-Legs she has the opportunity to live an interesting life with many possibilities.

Re-reading this book in 2026 I enjoyed following the adventures and misadventures of Judy Abbott once again. Daddy Long Legs was first published in 1912, reprinted many times (the copy I own was reprinted in 1956 - the 79th reprint) and translated into many languages. In 2025 it was republished in the Penguin Puffin series. The novel has been the basis of a number of stage plays plus film versions in 1919 and 1955. The sequel to the book is Dear Enemy published in 1915.

On Re-Reading Daddy Long Legs - Literary Ladies Guide  

The Frock Shop

Set in Mossman, a suburb of Sydney overlooking the harbour, The Frock Shop by Sophie Green is a novel about friendship as a group of women sort out challenges faced in their daily lives. The time frame of the book is from September 1991 to early 1992. 

Daphne, now in her 70s has worked in different versions of the shop which she currently manages as a charity clothing store. She encourages her friend Adelaide who has recently returned from a career in music in Europe to volunteer in the shop. When an actress, Christina, returns from America, she also agrees to help. Margot is a regular visitor to the shop who Daphne realises needs help as does school-girl, Lucy, who is interested in fashion and enjoys exploring the items in the store.

It was a while before I became involved in reading the book as the first chapters, that focused on introducing the characters and providing part of the back-story, were a little slow. However once the main plot began I enjoyed following the interaction between the women as they faced a variety of challenges in their lives. 

Throughout the book there are also a number of pages devoted to describing the story of an item of clothing that may now be located in the shop as well as what happens to that clothing item when purchased by a new owner. The Frock Shop will be enjoyed by those who enjoy reading about the friendship formed between a group of women from different backgrounds and experiences except they they form a common interest in clothes and fashion.

When the Forest Breathes: renewal and resiliance in the natural world

Suzanne Simard's life revolves around the health and continuation of forests, particularly in British Columbia where logging is an important industry. As Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of British Columbia she is particularly interested in studying the impact of tree connectivity and communication on the health and diversity of forests. This book is a study of the Mother Tree Project which is conducted in selected areas of forest by Professor Simard and her team of researchers, including family members. An important part of this study is working with First Nation's People utilising their knowledge and experience as well as information collected by studies undertaken by Professor Simard and her team.

The Mother Tree Project obtained finance to study to undertake investigations in selected areas of forest in partnership with the logging industry. In the study the researchers were particularly interested in the relationships formed between well established trees and new growth, especially in a time of climate change and forest fires. However not all the loggers agreed with the arrangements and many of the older trees vital for the study in some areas were cut down. It was therefore necessary to find other ways to obtain the required results.

The forest is a living organism with organised cycles of birth and growth, death and rebirth. It is important that we are aware of how nature works to protect the current challenges to our environment. The studies undertaken in the Mother Tree Project and their findings are relevant not only to forests in British Columbia but in other parts of the world too including Australia.

Mother Tree Project - UBC  

The Correspondent

Sybil Van Antwerp likes writing letters. When the novel starts in 2012 Sybil has turned 73 and we learn about Sybil and her life in the correspondence exchanged over the next seven years. Sybil lives alone. She is divorced and her husband returned to live in Belgium where he remarries. Sybil's brother lives with his partner in France. Sybil has little communication with her daughter who now lives in England. She occasionally sees her son and his family. Sybil has a good neighbour, Theodore, who looks out for her needs plus another man from Texas who is trying to get her attention. She also has a good friend Rosie, who regularly writes to her, plus a few other friends.

Sybil has kept copies of all of her correspondence received and friends such as Rosie have kept Sybil's letters. As well as writing to her brother and Rosie, Sybil writes to authors who have written novels that she enjoys, contacts a lecturer at the university about being able to attend occasional lectures and regularly exchanges letters with the young son of a friend who is having a difficult time.

In The Correspondent by Virginia Evans we learn of the sorrows experienced by Sybil in the past as she attempts to survive in a world where her eye-sight will be limited and she must adapt and learn to accept the friendship and help of others. This novel is told through Sybil's correspondence.

Probable Caws

Probable Caws is the 39th book in the Meg Langslow mystery series by Donna Andrews. The first book in the series was Murder With Peacocks published in 1999. Each title in the series has a bird, or something to with birds, in the title. There are lots of birds in Probable Caws, including crows and swans, and also lots of horses.

Meg is asked to go to Rangar Ragnarsen's gothic castle to assist when almost fifty horses are removed from a farm to Rangar's property until new accommodation can be found for them. As these are rescued horses, many of them are in ill-health and a team of volunteers, plus vets, has been called in to assist with the relocation of the animals. Some of the volunteers, including Meg, stay at the property overnight to ensure that the animals settle into their new environment. Then a body is found in the barn.

As with the other books in the series a number of members of Meg's family also provide their expertise in looking after the animals and, of course, solving the crime. However in this title much of the emphasis is on the animals, many of whom have distinct characteristics and quirks. Donna Andrews has provided another enjoyable book for readers of cosy crime to enjoy.

Titles in Meg Langslow mysteries - Fantastic fiction