COLLEEN MCCULLOUGH IS AT HER WARMEST AND MOST LIGHTHEARTED IN THIS NOVELLA SET IN THE YEARS JUST BEFORE THE FIRST WORLD WAR IN A SMALL TOWN IN AUSTRALIA. MISSY WRIGHT LIVES IN GENTEEL POVERTY ALONGSIDE HER MOTHER AND AUNT IN A HOUSE CALLED MISSALONGHI. MISSY LEADS A DREARY, PREDICTABLE EXISTENCE AND HER  ONE JOY IS A WEEKLY VISIT TO THE PUBLIC LIBRARY WHERE SHE GAINS ENTRY TO A PRIVATE WORLD OF DREAMS- LITTLE GUESSING THE CHANGES ON THE WAY FOR HERSELF AND THE WHOLE OF THE TOWN.  (UNCORRECTED PROOF COPY)