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Dear Venny, Dear Saffron
When is a school assignment not a drag? When it's the beginning of a love affair Watch the sparks fly as Gary Crew and Libby Hathorn, two of Australia's most popular Young Adult authors, combine their talents to create this offbeat love story.
- GenresRomanceYoung Adult
207 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
30 people want to read
About the author
Gary Crew
96 books66 followersDr Gary Crew, author of novels, short stories and picture books for older children and young adults, began his writing career in 1985, when he was a high school teacher. His books are challenging and intriguing, often based on non-fiction. As well as writing fiction, Gary is a Associate Professor in Creative Writing, Children's and Adult Literature, at the University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland and editor of the After Dark series.
He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.
Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.
In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.
He lives with his wife Christine on several acres in the cool, high mountains of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland, Australia in a house called 'Green Mansions' which is shaded by over 200 Australian rainforest palms he has cultivated. He enjoys gardening, reading, and playing with his dogs Ferris, Beulah, and Miss Wendy. In his spare time he has created an Australian Rainforest Garden around his home, filled with Australian palms. Gary loves to visit antique shops looking for curios and beautiful objects.
Gary Crew has been awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the year four times: twice for Book of the Year for Young Adult Older Readers (Strange Objects in 1991 and Angel’s Gate in 1993) and twice for Picture Book of the Year with First Light in 1993 (illustrated by Peter Gouldthorpe) and The Watertower (illustrated by Steven Woolman) in 1994. Gary’s illustrated book, Memorial (with Shaun Tan) was awarded the Children’s Book Council of Australia Honour Book in 2000 and short listed for the Queensland Premier’s Awards. He has also won the Wilderness Society Award, the Whitley Award and the Aurealis Award for Speculative Fiction.
In the USA he has been twice short listed for the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Fiction Award for Youth and the Hungry Minds Review American Children’s Book of distinction. In Europe he has twice been and twice the prestigious White Raven Award for his illustrated books. Among his many Australian awards is the Ned Kelly Prize for Crime Fiction, the New South Wales Premier’s Award and the Victorian Premier’s Award. He has been short listed for both the Queensland Premier’s and the Western Australian Premier’s awards for Fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
May 21, 2012
I couldn’t get through Dear Venny, Dear Saffron.
It had one of the best plots ever, a cute male lead and an unique way of storytelling, but it all went downhill. I hated how long each letter was. It was so attention-losing and unnecessary. Instead, I think it’d be much better if each letter was about 100 words and had one sole focus instead of twisting a zillion little character quirks and plots together.
Like, I’d start a letter and get impatient for the next one to begin. That’s how terribly I couldn’t keep my attention span.
I have no clue what the plot is about because I found myself skimming. But this book gets an extra star because it would be highly enjoyable to somebody who doesn’t have a short-attention-span.
Not really recommended for people like me –I wouldn’t go through the torture again.
It had one of the best plots ever, a cute male lead and an unique way of storytelling, but it all went downhill. I hated how long each letter was. It was so attention-losing and unnecessary. Instead, I think it’d be much better if each letter was about 100 words and had one sole focus instead of twisting a zillion little character quirks and plots together.
Like, I’d start a letter and get impatient for the next one to begin. That’s how terribly I couldn’t keep my attention span.
I have no clue what the plot is about because I found myself skimming. But this book gets an extra star because it would be highly enjoyable to somebody who doesn’t have a short-attention-span.
Not really recommended for people like me –I wouldn’t go through the torture again.
May 15, 2014
By far, my favourite book. Somehow these characters have lingered with me years after first reading this novel.
January 5, 2021
This is a childhood classic for me. Learnt a lot of lessons ❤❤❤
May 26, 2020
Two of Australia’s most popular authors combine their talents in this outstanding Young Adult fiction. Venero (Venny) Merlo and Sapphron (Saffron) Duval are pen friends from opposite ends of the world. Saffron - a bright, artistic orphan, lives with her wealthy Aunt in a penthouse on Park Ave, New York and Venny - an unsophisticated “dood” from a small suburb of Brisbane. She lives next to Central Park, and he, the town tip; two unlikely friends who, over three years, share their lives, adventures, triumphs, heartache and trauma through words.
The language and techniques used in this novel allow the reader to be immersed in the lives of the two main characters and travel along with them as they journey through their teenage years. The novel is made up entirely of letters from each character, which allows the reader to slowly gather information about the two teenagers, as they grow more comfortable in divulging their secrets and private thoughts.
Dear Venny Dear Saffron is an easy to read novel with imagery, used by both narrators, allowing the reader the unique opportunity to picture the sounds and smells of the exotic locations visited by Saffron and the emotional rollercoaster ridden by Venny. This novel is recommended to teenagers or anyone who remembers what it is like to go through the excitement and trauma of adolescence.
The language and techniques used in this novel allow the reader to be immersed in the lives of the two main characters and travel along with them as they journey through their teenage years. The novel is made up entirely of letters from each character, which allows the reader to slowly gather information about the two teenagers, as they grow more comfortable in divulging their secrets and private thoughts.
Dear Venny Dear Saffron is an easy to read novel with imagery, used by both narrators, allowing the reader the unique opportunity to picture the sounds and smells of the exotic locations visited by Saffron and the emotional rollercoaster ridden by Venny. This novel is recommended to teenagers or anyone who remembers what it is like to go through the excitement and trauma of adolescence.
June 20, 2010
Really sad ending. Couldve been written better?
May 26, 2018
Epistolatory styled novel of developing relationship between pen pals. Somewhat less than believable, although having said that there were moments that felt real and poignant. A fair read, and interesting to read Crew in a longer form than I have previously.
October 1, 2021
There are a lot of things I find disconcerting about this book. One character becomes a much better speller without any cause or process, people fall in love, etc.
Really surprised that a 90's Australian book talked about being gay this much without being negative.
Really surprised that a 90's Australian book talked about being gay this much without being negative.
January 10, 2017
I absolutely adore this book. It was so hard to find the hard copy! But thank God for EBAY! A must read!
The characters will stay with you for a VERY long time!
The characters will stay with you for a VERY long time!
May 19, 2011
Fairly so-so. Whilst the middle was exciting and somewhat unpredictable, the beginning was fairly dull and the end extremely unsatisfying.
Whilst the book being written entirely in letters made this story what it is, I think it was to the detriment of the ending which would have been far more interesting from a third party narration.
Whilst the book being written entirely in letters made this story what it is, I think it was to the detriment of the ending which would have been far more interesting from a third party narration.
Want to read
September 10, 2013This sounds like the lovechild of Jaclyn Moriarty and Joel and Cat Set the Story Straight.
July 3, 2013
I don't believe that such ways of love can take a place in real life..
October 7, 2016
My all time favourite books. I can always pick this book for my read again conquest. Love to Gary and Libby.
October 10, 2011
A very easy read and the characters were believeable. Very cute short story :)
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews