Take a photo of a barcode or cover
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Clean, but I can’t help feeling that the whole premise is wrong because she’s a meddler! Some discreet mention of sexual stuff in a few letters; one of the characters is injured and her fiancé is killed in a bombing. 15+
An easy read that included observations about the role of women during the time period
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
DEAR MRS. BIRD is a book full of surprises. And certainly not your typical World War II novel. Instead, author AJ Pearce has delivered a story that starts as one thing and ends up in a totally unexpected place.
It's still early in the war and London is suffering frequent night bombings. At the start of the novel, we meet a young woman eagerly answering an innocuous ad in a London publication. An aspiring journalist who dreams of becoming a war correspondent, Emmeline Lake applies for an entry level position at a woman's magazine. It turns out the position is more of a typist than a writer and Emma finds herself assisting a formidable and demanding woman (Mrs. Bird), who writes an advice column with very demanding restrictions.
Emma and most of those in her circle devote their free time volunteering in assorted activities that support the British war effort. Emma answers the phone for a fire department. Her best friend Bunty's work is too hush-hush to describe. Bunty's fiancé (rejected by the military) is a rescue fireman.
At the beginning of the story, despite some war-time hardships, the novel is quite upbeat. There is quite a bit of humor as Emma begins to learn her new job and struggles to please her boss. Slowly, we learn more about the lives of women on the homefront, much of it from the letters send to Mrs. Bird. And increasingly, Emma becomes preoccupied with the letters that are NOT getting answered.
As the story evolves, its tone completely shifts. The lightheartedness disappears, replaced by considerable war-related drama and lots of suspense, as characters begin to be more directly impacted. DEAR MRS. BIRD becomes a real page-turner.
The novel quite skillfully illustrates how the experience of war, even ones that begin defending lofty principles, changes significantly when individuals begin to be directly impacted by violence and death.
As explained in the book's Author's Note, this story (and THE EMMY LAKE CHRONICLES series it inspired) began after the author stumbled across advice columns that date from World War II. DEAR MRS. BIRD is the just the first of four novels is the series. So if you enjoy this one, there's plenty more to come. Highly recommended.
It's still early in the war and London is suffering frequent night bombings. At the start of the novel, we meet a young woman eagerly answering an innocuous ad in a London publication. An aspiring journalist who dreams of becoming a war correspondent, Emmeline Lake applies for an entry level position at a woman's magazine. It turns out the position is more of a typist than a writer and Emma finds herself assisting a formidable and demanding woman (Mrs. Bird), who writes an advice column with very demanding restrictions.
Emma and most of those in her circle devote their free time volunteering in assorted activities that support the British war effort. Emma answers the phone for a fire department. Her best friend Bunty's work is too hush-hush to describe. Bunty's fiancé (rejected by the military) is a rescue fireman.
At the beginning of the story, despite some war-time hardships, the novel is quite upbeat. There is quite a bit of humor as Emma begins to learn her new job and struggles to please her boss. Slowly, we learn more about the lives of women on the homefront, much of it from the letters send to Mrs. Bird. And increasingly, Emma becomes preoccupied with the letters that are NOT getting answered.
As the story evolves, its tone completely shifts. The lightheartedness disappears, replaced by considerable war-related drama and lots of suspense, as characters begin to be more directly impacted. DEAR MRS. BIRD becomes a real page-turner.
The novel quite skillfully illustrates how the experience of war, even ones that begin defending lofty principles, changes significantly when individuals begin to be directly impacted by violence and death.
As explained in the book's Author's Note, this story (and THE EMMY LAKE CHRONICLES series it inspired) began after the author stumbled across advice columns that date from World War II. DEAR MRS. BIRD is the just the first of four novels is the series. So if you enjoy this one, there's plenty more to come. Highly recommended.
Graphic: Death
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Yes the book was a bit cheesy and overly feminine at times. Yes the plot didn’t focus on the war directly. Yes the twists got a bit predictable...
But the book was full of friendship and survival for those “at home” while the cities were bombed. It dealt with love and death and living.
But the book was full of friendship and survival for those “at home” while the cities were bombed. It dealt with love and death and living.