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 … 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).
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The novel takes place in London in 1941 – but although it’s during WWII and during the Blitz, the war is the background story. Written in first person, the protagonist Emmy is exceptionally likeable. I also liked her goal, although never fully realized, but that was okay and left the reader thinking it probably would be at some point in her life. The twist in the second half of the book was a total surprise, and handled exceptionally well, I thought. The ending was satisfying. This is a fairly easy read and nothing that twists the brain too much, but so entertaining. I loved it and would recommend.
Nice story. History of British women in London during WW II.
Read it in one sitting absolutely loved it, not your typical WWII story, but realistic and funny at the same time.
LOVED this book~! What a fabulous first novel.
young woman wanting to do something important to help the war effort, finds herself working for a weekly woman’s magazine. Gets herself into a bit of trouble. Kind of reminds me of a few old movies with Katherine Hepburn. Sweet, easy, quick read. No foul language, no sex. Just clean fun. (warning – there are a couple of tragic incidents… the story is set in WWII).
This book is definitely the funniest, heartwarming books I have read this year. It is very inspirational, too…shows the courage of women on the home front during the Blitz in London. Great read!
This book was such a nice surprise for me! It is absolutely deserving of 5 stars. I really loved it! It takes place in 1941 in London, as the German Luftwaffe was bombing almost nightly. The main character, Emmy Lake, is only 22 years old. That’s the same age my own mother was when the war began, except she was American and we were not among the Allied Forces at that point yet. Emmy is young, and a bit immature, but she is trying to do her part by volunteering for the ladies’ group who answer the phones for the local firemen when the calls of fire and causalities come in during the bombings. She also gets a part time job working for Mrs. Bird. Mrs. Bird is an older “stiff upper lip” sort who writes answers to questions on the “problems page” from readers of Woman’s Friend, a low ranking woman’s magazine of the day. Unfortunately, Mrs. Bird detests anything that smacks of “unpleasantness,” and so most of the women who write in get no help at all. This greatly worries Emmy, who tries to help in her own way. The novel starts out slowly as we get to know Emmy and her family and friends. The British slang of the early 40’s is “spot on” and makes for enjoyable reading. But the bombings grow worse and are soon far too close to home. This talented author, who did much meticulous research, soon introduces her reader to real life in wartime Britain. I was mesmerized, and Pearce made it very real. Emmy and her family and friends are in a place no one had ever imagined and they all have to grow up terribly fast. As A.J. Pearce said, “It is a privilege to look into their world and remember what incredible women and girls they all were.” I can’t stop thinking about this book. I highly recommend it.
I enjoyed this book and wanted to continue my journey with the characters at the end. Sometimes I hate when books end.
Dear .Mrs. Bird is a cute, fast reading book. I found myself smiling while reading. Very easy to read … you’ll probable finish it in an afternoon.
I didn’t finish this book, original premise was unique but it deteriorated when politics was brought into the picture.
I love, love, love this book! Don’t miss it!!
I put off reviewing this book for a bit because I’m still not sure how I feel about it. On one hand I really enjoyed the part that dealt with the the correspondence (up until the end), but at some point it focused more on the war to the point that I wondered if they were ever going to come back to it. Then traumatic things happen to our main character. I didn’t really enjoy that part (probably because I live in a war zone and understand). Then when we got back to the correspondence part of the story I felt like the magazine leadership was a bit off in the way they dealt with her. First of all would a magazine have a real person as Mrs. Bird or would it just be a fictitious person? I won’t go into everything. I just didn’t like the ending. Most people would probably appreciate it more than I did because I tend to like fiction that doesn’t resemble reality and this one wasn’t like that.
What promised to be a frothy summer read also offered a thoughtful window into daily life during the London Blitz. I enjoyed it very much, although it would have benefited from some tightening by the editor.
This is an unexpectedly funny book with some witty lines. It’s beautifully, confidently written, a real heart-warmer. I loved the main character, she’s so well-intentioned. Dear Mrs Bird explores a side to war-time London that I hadn’t seen much of before. I’d love to read more by this author.
A marvelous treat. Charming and delightful.