Joyce Dennys submitted articles to the magazine Sketch during WW2, which were eventually published in two volumes. This is the second, which sees Henrietta through to VE Day. They take the form of letters to a childhood friend who is fighting at the front. Henrietta is a delightful correspondent who provides a humourous take on her day-to-day world with all the hardships and opinions of the time. A light read, but very entertaining. The illustrations, also done by Dennys, are delightful. Thanks to Bloomsbury for re-printing some of these old titles. ( )

This second installment of Henrietta Brown's affectionate letters to her "Childhood's Friend" during WWII was just as good as the first, Henrietta's War. It's odd to find fictional letters from the British home front to a soldier stationed who-knows-where during WWII soothing, but that's just what this book is---balm for the soul. Henrietta; her calm and stable husband, Charles; their friends Lady B, the Admiral, the Conductor and Faith all epitomize the British spirit of "Keep calm and carry on" in the face of rationing, Fuel Target notices, gin shortages, anxiety over the safety of loved ones in service, air raids, mice, bindweed and the exasperating Mrs. Savernack. As did its predecessor, Henrietta Sees it Through makes the reader feel that it is possible to cope with nearly anything as long as one keeps the chin up and remembers to appreciate what simple pleasures remain available. Review written in 2012. ( )

I suppose some will find fault, saying that this takes a light-hearted approach to an awful time (WWII). I found myself looking forward to reading one to five newsy, charming letters from Henrietta every day as I made my way through the book. Because it's getting colder here as winter nears, I especially liked this passage: Feeling as cold as I do, the approach of January, February and March used to fill me with dread; and soon after Christmas, when the east wind began to blow, I would get what Charles calls my "sick monkey look." I also liked this: Being good at games takes all the fun out of them. ( )

This book continues Henrietta's War and is as good as the first book. The simple, brave, everyday life in provincial England carries on as the war progresses. Relationships and hardships, joys and despairs are described with humour and compassion. A lovely book. ( )

In this second volume of Henrietta's letters to her friend Robert, she continues to tell stories about daily life in their English village while Robert is away during WWII. I did not think this volume was quite as good as the first but still enjoyable and worth the read. I would suggest that the first volume, Henrietta's War : News from the Home Front 1939 - 1942, be read before reading this one. ( )