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A review by dilliemillie
Dear Enemy by Jean Webster
3.0
Ah, nostalgia. How you betray me.
Sallie is such a well-developed character with a sense of humor and a stubborn spirit. Reading about her struggles to overhaul an institutional orphanage makes me want to root for her! The romance is light and there are many sweet moments. But. This book casually slips in so many horrible ideas that were normal for the time. There are an uncomfortable number of references to the virtues of eugenics. Nurture will never win over nature, and there is no room for accommodating anyone who has different needs. Yes, it was a different time. No, that doesn't make it enjoyable to read.
Sallie is such a well-developed character with a sense of humor and a stubborn spirit. Reading about her struggles to overhaul an institutional orphanage makes me want to root for her! The romance is light and there are many sweet moments. But. This book casually slips in so many horrible ideas that were normal for the time. There are an uncomfortable number of references to the virtues of eugenics. Nurture will never win over nature, and there is no room for accommodating anyone who has different needs. Yes, it was a different time. No, that doesn't make it enjoyable to read.