From the Fly Leaf History, and our interpretation of it, is constantly changing. In For Elise, the established story of one pioneering family's battle to survive has been reviewed from the perspective of a rarely considered woman. Previously, the diaries of Percy Criddle had to be taken at face value. Now, using those self-same diaries written by her great-grandfather, plus a variety of other contemporary sources, Oriole has given us the tale from the point of view of Elise, her neglected great-grandmother, who contributed so much to the success of the family’s venture. The resulting portrayal of the hardships endured by the Criddle/Vane family explains so many previously unanswered questions, and indicated the basis on which their eventual success was founded. Written by Loraine Hake Hon. Secretary, Alabaster Society