Miss Peabody's Inheritance

Two novels are contained here: one is about middle-aged Londoner Miss Peabody who works and cares for her ailing mother. The other is a novel-in-progress sent irregularly to Miss Peabody from a writer in Australia to whom she once wrote a fan letter. Soon the novel excerpts are more real and wonderful than Miss Peabody's own life, and when her mother dies, she moves to Australia, where a poignant surprise awaits. PW found the story ""delicately and ironically told, informed by a warm sympathy that tinges even the funniest scenes with rue.'' November