Dear Mrs. Bird

By: AJ Pearce

Narrated by: Anna Popplewell

This charming, irresistible debut novel set in London during World War II about a young woman who longs to be a war correspondent and inadvertently becomes a secret advice columnist is “a jaunty, heartbreaking winner” (People)—for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Lilac Girls.

Emmeline Lake and her best friend Bunty are doing their bit for the war effort and trying to stay cheerful, despite the German planes making their nightly raids. Emmy dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent, and when she spots a job advertisement in the newspaper she seizes her chance; but after a rather unfortunate misunderstanding, she finds herself typing letters for the formidable Henrietta Bird, renowned advice columnist of Woman’s Friend magazine.

Mrs. Bird is very clear: letters containing any Unpleasantness must go straight into the bin. But as Emmy reads the desperate pleas from women who many have Gone Too Far with the wrong man, or can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she begins to secretly write back to the readers who have poured out their troubles.

“Fans of Jojo Moyes will enjoy AJ Pearce’s debut, with its plucky female characters and fresh portrait of women’s lives in wartime Britain” (Library Journal)—a love letter to the enduring power of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times. “Headlined by its winning lead character, who always keeps carrying on, Pearce's novel is a delight” (Publishers Weekly). Irrepressibly funny and enormously moving, Dear Mrs. Bird is “funny and poignant…about the strength of women and the importance of friendship” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis).

Elegant and soothing, like a hot cup of darjeeling

This book was the perfect rough day palate cleanser; from the wholesome friendships, to the grit of war, this book was a lovely marriage of the stuff that makes life, well, life.

A great read

Beautifully written, and a pleasure to listen to. I am looking forward to reading the sequel when it comes out.

A Terrific Read

It's a bit too long and the plot could be trimmed but I enjoyed this story of a would-be advice columnist in WWII Britain and all her shenanigans very much.

WWII NOVEL, STRONG FEMALE CHARACTERS

Gives a good understanding of what war time wives, lovers and women went through while their men were at war.

Beautiful story

This is a beautifully written story celebrating the friendship, courage and resilience of women during the bombing of London in WWII. Loved it, and I really enjoyed the narration as well.

Totally clean read with depth and character

I loved it! I took away a lingering meditation on the spirit of resilience in the face of daily death threats, courage of strangers to risk their lives for other strangers, and of exploring the possibility of moving ahead with a seriously damaged 20 year friendship. Not to mention the resolution to the Mrs. Bird crisis- though that part may be predictable little else in Pearce's story is!

A wonderful romance of friendship

A friend recommended Dear Mrs. Bird after learning that I had listened to Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society over 10 times. I am so glad she did. This story was just what my heart needed to be encouraged to see hope and humor during difficult days.

Love it!

Love, love, love this story and the precious chatacters! The reader makes you feel you are in every minute of it. Thank you for the wonderful book and experience listening to it!

Couldn't let it go

I loved the writing, description, reality and even the humor. I didn't want the story to end.

Remarkable heart swelling novel

I very much enjoyed this historical novel set in the middle of WWII in Britain. It's about the war efforts that those at home took part in to support the soldiers and sailors - often some of their own friends and relatives - who were fighting. It's about trying to live in the middle of air raids and bombings and the loss of loved ones.
Protagonist Emily and best friend Bunty (sp?) Encourage each other in their dreams and nightmares.
Emily's dream is to be a war correspondent, but finds herself in the magazine office where "advice letters" are answered. Or NOT answered. How she crosses the line to reach out to hurting people and the consequences, is a big part of the story. The tragic - horrendous - event that nearly severed the relationship between her and her very best friend fills in the rest.
Other characters and events come to life to make this book a well- researched deep dive into history. I'm so glad there is a sequel. I want to know more about those advice writers and to see if a romance that started will blossom.