Spirited Henrietta wishes she was the kind of doctor's wife who knew exactly how to deal with the daily upheavals of war. But then, everyone in her...
read full description
reviews
Jun 07, 2011
Elisha
rated it: 
This is the first book of the two about Henrietta's experience in the war. Her narrative voice is so funny and wry and the little cartoon drawings that are scattered throughout the book are perfect.
I love their village in Devonshire where they are trying hard to be helpful to the war effort. Like, in order to train for the A.R.P. villagers pitch in and one night as Charles is walking home he nearly runs over a figure lying at the side of the road - " "Hullo, what's the m More...
I love their village in Devonshire where they are trying hard to be helpful to the war effort. Like, in order to train for the A.R.P. villagers pitch in and one night as Charles is walking home he nearly runs over a figure lying at the side of the road - " "Hullo, what's the m More...
Feb 15, 2011
Nancy
rated it: 
Joyce Dennys, an illustrator by trade, wrote this series of essays as a weekly column during WW II; they purport to be letters written by Henrietta (the local doctor's wife) to her Childhood's Friend, Robert, at the Front. Gentle, wry, and often laugh-out-loud funny, Henrietta's letters describe the daily struggles of ordinary Englishmen and -women, Keeping the Home Fires Burning. Of course, each letter is illustrated by one of Dennys's witty illustrations.
This may be my favorite Bloo More...
This may be my favorite Bloo More...
Sep 02, 2010
Shannon
rated it:
I have been reading a lot of domestic fiction from Britain of the 1930's and 40's, mostly diary-style and short stories. I must say that this book, which takes the form of letters from a housewife and mother in Devon to her "Childhood's Friend" Robert who is at the front, is gentler and more wistful than other books I've read in this particular genre. E. M. Delafield's funny "Provincial Lady" books, which I read snd enjoyed just before this book have a similar venue (small to
More...
Aug 09, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
Joyce Denny's story told through letters and illustrations were a regular feature in Sketch during the war and they have recently been republished in book form by Bloomsbury Group doing a series of rediscovering old favorites. For me, Joyce Denny is a new favorite. Henrietta's War was a refreshing palate cleanser - like a fruity sorbet between the courses of a heavy meal. Henrietta lives in Devon during WWII and relays the goings on of her small town to her childhood friend, Robert, who is o
More...
Jun 10, 2010
Nadia
rated it:
What a truly delightful book to read! I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed reading Joyce Dennys' book, Henrietta's War: News From The Home Front 1939 - 1942; in fact I read it straight through in one sitting because I didn't want to put it down. Here is the blurb from the back of the book (it'll give you an idea of what this little gem is all about):
Spirited Henrietta wishes she was the kind of doctor's wife who knew exactly how to deal with the daily upheavals of war. But then More...
Spirited Henrietta wishes she was the kind of doctor's wife who knew exactly how to deal with the daily upheavals of war. But then More...
May 04, 2010
Nicola
rated it:
Reason for Reading: I am reading all The Bloomsbury Group books.
Joyce Dennys who at the time was more known for her illustrations and aid work during WWI found her time more limited during WWII, being now taken up almost full-time as a mother and doctor's wife so she turned to writing, publishing a fictional letter from "Henrietta" to a dear "Childhood's Friend" on the war front about daily life back on the home front. The article proved so popular that Henrietta's More...
Joyce Dennys who at the time was more known for her illustrations and aid work during WWI found her time more limited during WWII, being now taken up almost full-time as a mother and doctor's wife so she turned to writing, publishing a fictional letter from "Henrietta" to a dear "Childhood's Friend" on the war front about daily life back on the home front. The article proved so popular that Henrietta's More...
Mar 18, 2011
Ken
rated it:
An absolute delight. Joyce Dennys created her alter ego Henrietta Brown for an article in SKETCH magazine. People enjoyed it so much that she continuted to write about Henrietta's life as the wife of a country doctor in a small village in England during WWII. The Bloomsbury Group has re-published this collection of the articles in a handsome volume accompanied by Dennys' wry illustrations. As Henrietta writes to her dear friend Robert fighting somewhere on the front, we meet the village folk
More...
Feb 05, 2011
Barbara
rated it:
Wow--four and half stars, and that's just because for me, five star ratings tend to go to EB White, Austen, and Tolstoy . . . . I think this is just about perfect for a book of its kind.
A sort of Daddy-Long-Legs style in that it consists of letters written by Henrietta, a married woman who lives on the English coast as W.W. II begins, to her "Childhood Friend," who is on active duty in France. Initially published during the war as a series in a newspaper (perhaps every two More...
A sort of Daddy-Long-Legs style in that it consists of letters written by Henrietta, a married woman who lives on the English coast as W.W. II begins, to her "Childhood Friend," who is on active duty in France. Initially published during the war as a series in a newspaper (perhaps every two More...
May 09, 2010
Susan
rated it:
Written during World War II and published in a magazine, these letters to a fictional "Robert" depict life in a small Devonshire village, as the residents learn to live with rationing, an influx of refugees from London, their own fears and petty bickering, and much, much more. Henrietta, a doctor's wife, and her friends Lady B. and Faith try to be brave and (in divorcee Faith's case) ornamental, to get as much pleasure from their restricted life as they can, and above all to do their
More...
Aug 15, 2009
SillySuzy
rated it: 
This book was written in the form of Henrietta Brown's letters to her childhood friend Robert, fighting at the front. Funny story about a couple of people feeling the war's weight upon their shoulders and taking themselves very seriously, while nothing much happens in their Devonshire village and the real action takes place in and around London. Although the letters appeared serially in a newspaper during World War II, this collection of letters, under the name of Henrietta's War, wasnot publish
More...
Mar 17, 2011
Jennifer
rated it:
The Henrietta letters were originally published in Sketch magazine. Written by Joyce Dennys, who life as a village doctor's wife mirrored her own, the letters were intended to remind the troops of life at home, and also to give Londoners a glimpse of life outside the city. They were very popular, and continued throughout the war. I wish I could read all of them, but those published in this slender volume, and it's sequel, Henrietta Sees It Through, represent only a sampling of the letters.
More...
More...
Apr 19, 2010
With Britain under imminent threat of German bombings and a possible sea invasion, a vague and anxious doctor's wife, Henrietta, takes solace in writing to her soldier friend Robert with humorous anecdotes about wartime on the home front. And how do they keep up their morale? They write angry letters to Hitler, celebrate bomb drills and sirens, risk wearing pants, and dig for victory! A sketch comedy which blends charm with the real sense of helplessness and fear war provokes in those left behin
More...
Mar 29, 2011
Jenny
rated it:
Delightful classic English village humor. Think Angela Thirkell without the nastiness, snobbery, and tendency to run on. Agatha Cristie without the body in the library.
If you need something to help you cope with the sheer awfulness of life today--and the pervasive corrosive cynicism--this will do nicely.
If you need something to help you cope with the sheer awfulness of life today--and the pervasive corrosive cynicism--this will do nicely.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Oct 24, 2011
Kate E.A.
rated it:
A charming little book. While I truly love books about the homfront during WWII, and so knew that I would like this, it's the voice of this one that makes it special. Such a darling, heartfelt voice! The characters are lifelike and wonderful, and I found myself moved by some of Lady B's words in particular. I truly enjoyed every word of this one.
Jun 18, 2010
Aminaazizmirza
rated it:
This book is an account of Joyce's own experiences during World War II when living in an Devonshire village. It had one laugh out loud moment after another. I highly recommend it for everyone, but particularly fans of Diary of a Provincial Lady, of which it reminded me often.
Jul 03, 2010
Josie
rated it:
My only issue with this book is why it only covers 1939-1942! There were three more war years where Joyce Dennys wrote her column. Which is to say, I LOVED THIS and was sad it was so short. READ IT.
The cover looks and feels gorgeous too, which is always a plus.
The cover looks and feels gorgeous too, which is always a plus.
Aug 25, 2010
Suzanne
rated it:
Very much like the Mrs. Tim books. In fact, Mrs. Tim of the Regiment is being published as part of The Bloomsbury Group. I enjoyed this description of English life during WWII. Just the thing to help pass the time in an afternoon of 110 degree heat!
Feb 05, 2012
Cleo
rated it:
An absolutely delightful book. Henrietta's light-hearted look at war time situations and deprivations will make you laugh in spite of yourself! The writing is reminiscent of Three Men in a Boat or The Diary of a Nobody. Fun, fun and fun!
Jun 30, 2011
Kris
rated it:
Reminds me of Cranford. Same great small-town vignettes, same likeable characters bickering at each other, same general Englishness. (Or what I imagine to be Englishness, consisting of much Stiff Upper Lipping and occasional marmalade.)
Mar 21, 2011
Ronda Jean
rated it:
Lovely book outlining life in a small English village during WWII. Written in the form of letters to a dear friend on the front, Henrietta makes every effort to speak of homey topics and village gossip. Originally written as magazine articles, this compilation is a snapshot into a by gone age of rural English life.
Oct 27, 2011
Rachell
rated it:
This was a nice book to read at night right before bed: light and generated some good laughs. Not captivating enough to keep me reading past my bedtime, but a pleasant enough way to end the day.
Jul 13, 2011
Lili
rated it:
Super fun read. At first, I was annoyed b/c I had a hard time keeping track of who was who, but by the time I finished the book and set it down, I found myself missing the characters. I do love the period, not to mention almost all things British, so that helped, but it was a fun, easy read.
Feb 12, 2012
Katherine
rated it:
A light-hearted, amusing account of life in Devon, England during World War II as seen through the eyes of a doctor's wife named Henrietta.
Jan 15, 2012
Abby
rated it:
charming....light...and oh so refreshing....who wouldn't love a book about a girl who isn't necessary a gardener, but rather a weeder.
Mar 12, 2011
Celia
rated it:
Hilariously witty, sometimes very silly. Exactly what was needed after the sadness and horror of the last couple of dyas.
Jun 15, 2011
Cathy
rated it:
Very funny! Wry and humorous observations from a village in Devon during WWII. Just the antidote to too much Jane Austen! A very quick read, but worthwhile. Charming!
The notes say that Dennys wrote these letters/stories out of a sense of frustration with domestic & rural life. I hope they brought her some relief because they are funny without being mean and show the good side of village life in England during World War II. Some of the other books I've read were more depressing, wh More...
The notes say that Dennys wrote these letters/stories out of a sense of frustration with domestic & rural life. I hope they brought her some relief because they are funny without being mean and show the good side of village life in England during World War II. Some of the other books I've read were more depressing, wh More...
May 14, 2011
Nancy
rated it: 
I like this kind of jeu d'esprit, especially in this setting, but this is a pretty anemic effort. Probably best read in its original context as a newspaper column.
Sep 24, 2011
Caroline
rated it:
This is an excellent book and I just finished the second volume called Henrietta Sees It Through. Stories or rather letters during WW II from England to a soldier somewhere fighting. Loved these books.
