AustLit

Nancy refuses Bill's offer of marriage because she wants to be a writer. Later she changes her mind, but finds it impossible to write and tell him. A friend who lives near Bill's timber mill invites her to visit, but it takes a trial by fire before Nancy and Bill are reunited.

When Dudley Warren's new wife, Edie, wants to have a career he delivers an ultimatum; either she gives up work or he will leave her. She defies him and he leaves for America. Five years later he returns and visits the places where they were happy together. At Bondi he meets a little girl called Daphne and makes a wonderful discovery.

Daisy M. relates events in the life of Margaret of Navarre, whom she regards as the first woman novelist. Daisy M. describes The Heptameron as 'horribly coarse' and 'written to please a sensual man'. The book was banned in Australia until 1935.

F. M. P. relates the story of a swagwoman who camped at her gate one summer evening. The woman agreed to stay and help in the house for a small wage until F. M. P.'s baby was born, but then she became restless and made it clear she needed to move on. Before she left she revealed the tragedy that led to her taking to the road.

Review of a work previously published in abridged form in The Australian Woman's Mirror. The book was originally published in London, where it received favourable reviews.