Birdie and Jay
Publisher's Summary
From the famed halls of the American Museum of Natural History to the opulent parties of Manhattan’s Gilded Age elite to a muddy dig site that may be hiding a groundbreaking discovery, Birdie & Jay is a captivating historical novel that will take you on an unforgettable journey.
Birdie, a young woman born into wealth, has a deep passion for art and science which leads her to a position painting landscape habitats at the new Museum of Natural History. Her mother - who sees this pursuit as a distraction from her daughter’s obligatory society functions - tries to forbid her from the museum, but Birdie’s dedication only grows once she meets Jay, an intelligent Irishman who’s yanked himself up by his dusty bootstraps to join the museum’s elite team of researchers.
Captivated by each other despite their class differences, Birdie and Jay steal away to Central Park each day, where they discuss the work of Darwin and other forces shaping their changing world. When the two are pulled apart for the summer - Jay to an expedition in England that could make or break his career, and Birdie to the mansions of Newport towards more acceptable suitors - both of them will have to fight for what’s right, and for a chance to be together.
A rich blend of romance, history, and scientific adventure, Birdie & Jay is a powerful story that will transport you to an era of both extraordinary risk and glittering opportunity.
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Our favorite moments from Birdie and Jay
- Birdie and Jay
- By: Ella Joy Olsen
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky, Gerard Doyle
- Birdie and Jay
- By: Ella Joy Olsen
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky, Gerard Doyle
- Birdie and Jay
- By: Ella Joy Olsen
- Narrated by: Eva Kaminsky, Gerard Doyle
- Birdie and Jay
- Jay reads up on adventure and expeditions.
- Birdie and Jay
- Jay attends a high society dinner.
- Birdie and Jay
- Bea notices Jay and remembers him from the Museum of Natural History.
A search for truth in love and life
In Birdie and Jay, Ella Joy Olsen splendidly captures the grand opulence of the Gilded Age in Manhattan and Newport, with descriptions of people and places that are both nostalgic and grimly reminiscent of current struggles among the social classes. The love story at the core of this listen is everything—a version of Lady and the Tramp that involves an intellectually curious debutante, drawn to artistic pursuits frowned upon by her family, and an honorable paleontologist, born to Irish immigrants, who soon discover they have much more in common than that which divides them. For truth seekers and believers in science, the themes contained within this novel will resonate far and wide.
About the Creator
Ella Joy Olsen lives in Salt Lake City, Utah, a charming town tucked at the base of the massive Wasatch Mountains. She is the mom of three (young adult) kids, the mama of two dogs, and the wife of one patient husband. Her novels include: the Audible Original Birdie & Jay, the Historical Novel Society Editors’ Choice Root, Petal, Thorn, and the 15 Bytes Finalist Where the Sweet Bird Sings. She teaches creative writing through Lifelong Learning at the University of Utah and she is part-owner of Salty City Writing Workshops, where she mentors writers and facilitates writing retreats.
About the Performer
Eva Kaminsky is a New York born and NYC-based actor and narrator. A 2014 Audie nominee and 2018 Earphone Award winner, she has recorded over 200 audiobooks in many different genres, though is most well known for her romance work. Eva can often be heard on various national television and radio commercials for products such as Intel, Neulasta, and Publix Supermarkets, and can be seen regularly on the big and small screen as well. She has spent over 25 years working professionally in theater, both on and off Broadway, and extensively in regional theaters all over the country. She was most recently the Year 2 cast of Harry Potter & the Cursed Child on Broadway.
About the Performer
Gerard Doyle’s 40 year acting career spans television, radio, and theater on both sides of the Atlantic, including national and international touring, London’s West End, and Broadway. He has recorded over 400 audio books, in genres ranging from mystery and suspense, fantasy, comedy, non-fiction, and young adult. He has been awarded many Earphones awards from AudioFile magazine, as well as being a several-time nominee and recipient of the coveted Audio Publishers Association "Audie" award.
Audible Originals
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Love Finds a Way
From mystery to comedy, listen to your favorite category with a powerful love story woven in.
Historical Romance
These listens interweave drama, tension, and passion with accurate facts from the past and authentic period details.
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Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Water bottle expert
- 03-25-20
A nice distraction
If you are like me, a lot of books these days, whether they intend to or not, draw parallels to the challenges we currently face—be it climate change, political divide, mental health struggles, or pandemics. For example, my book club read Albert Camus’ The Plague last year and now it haunts me every day. Lately I’m drawn to historical fiction as a way to cope. I’ve recently enjoyed Madeline Miller’s Song of Achilles and Circe, and am currently reading the third book in Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall series. This week, I wanted something to listen to while I readied my house to wait out Covid19. I stumbled upon this Audible original by Ella Joy Olsen. PURE ESCAPE! While I haven’t finished listening yet, it is thoroughly enjoyable and exactly what I was looking for. It is taking far less mental effort than the Mirror and the Light because there are only TWO main characters as opposed to 100! I always love listening to readers with accents, and Jay is brought to life with the intoxicating Irish accent of Gerard Doyle. I am also loving Birdie’s voice read by Eva Kandinsky. Olsen merges romance with scientific discovery-the search for the missing link, a fresh and fun combination. She interlaces beautiful descriptions of time and place with seamless and believable dialogue. Will Jay be successful in his search for the missing link? How will Birdie, a smart, independent and artistic woman, navigate 19th century social confines to pursue her own hopes and dreams? I love the historical details Olsen sprinkles throughout—from her description of Manhattan and the Museum of Natural History to eating Jellybeans for the first time. It is a pleasure to listen to and makes the drudgery of household chores pass easily. I can’t wait to see how the story comes together!
3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- B. Jones
- 03-27-20
A captivating story!
I loved this book! It captured me from the very beginning and I couldn’t wait to find out how the story would progress and end. I really needed to escape to a different world and time and the book delivered. Beautiful love story and beautifully written.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- HistFic Fan
- 03-23-20
The perfect historical fiction love story!
Birdie and Jay is a vivid portrayal of the frivolity of the Gilded Age coupled with the fervor found during the era of the hunt for dinosaurs and of Charles Darwin and emerging evolutionary theories. Both narrators were fabulous, bringing both Birdie and Jay, and their love story, to life. Required for historical fiction and historical romance fans. Think Outlander for the Gilded Age.
2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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- Tiffany Grayson
- 03-29-20
Your next listen
Captivating from chapter one. This historical fiction has romance, suspense, humor, intrigue. The readers do a fantastic job bringing the well-woven story to life. Highly recommend!
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