Dear Mrs. Bird

Title: Dear Mrs. Bird

Series: The Emmy Lake Chronicles #1

Author: AJ Pearce

Publisher: Scribner

Genre: Historical Fiction, World War II, British Literature

Source: Library

My Review:

I didn't realize until I was typing up this review that Dear Mrs. Bird is the first book of a series! It is also AJ Pearce's debut novel. 

First of all, I enjoyed the book (it surprised me that I did!). Second, all the reviewers listed on the back of the cover and the description lied when they all said "funny, uplifting and optimistic, a comic confection." The book had funny parts, but it dealt with war, which was not funny but rather tragic. It gives the impression that the book is a light read (only the first half); the second half is a heavy read.

Now that we have covered all that unpleasantness, here is what I liked about the story. Emmy is a strong character, with a mind of her own, but also quite a bit of character growth. Her friendship with her best friend and roommate Bunty is pretty special. Her friendship with William is also special, and the three of them have a grand time together. 

While the story takes place during World War II it is not focused on the heaviness of the war, as all the characters are attempting to be optimistic. It is also not ignoring the war as there are quite a few air raids and bombings in London, but the story is not centered on the fighting of war if that makes sense. 

Now that I know there are more books in the series, I may have to read the second book. I can see how the story could easily continue. 

The only real downsides for me were the cursing, taking the Lord's name in vain, and a death I didn't want and still wish didn't happen (but isn't this the way with a good story?).

Content warning: several instances of taking the Lord's name in vain, minor cursing

Trigger warning: trauma, death of a loved one

★★★★/5

Synopsis (Amazon):  

A charming, irresistible debut novel set in London during World War II about an adventurous young woman who becomes a secret advice columnist—a warm, funny, and enormously moving story for fans of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and Lilac Girls.

London 1940, bombs are falling. Emmy Lake is Doing Her Bit for the war effort, volunteering as a telephone operator with the Auxiliary Fire Services. When Emmy sees an advertisement for a job at the London Evening Chronicle, her dreams of becoming a Lady War Correspondent seem suddenly achievable. But the job turns out to be typist to the fierce and renowned advice columnist, Henrietta Bird. Emmy is disappointed, but gamely bucks up and buckles down.

Mrs. Bird is very clear: Any letters containing Unpleasantness—must go straight in the bin. But when Emmy reads poignant letters from women who are lonely, may have Gone Too Far with the wrong men and found themselves in trouble, or who can’t bear to let their children be evacuated, she is unable to resist responding. As the German planes make their nightly raids, and London picks up the smoldering pieces each morning, Emmy secretly begins to write letters back to the women of all ages who have spilled out their troubles.

Prepare to fall head over heels with Emmy and her best friend, Bunty, who are spirited and gutsy, even in the face of events that bring a terrible blow. As the bombs continue to fall, the irrepressible Emmy keeps writing, and readers are transformed by AJ Pearce’s hilarious, heartwarming, and enormously moving tale of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and ordinary people in extraordinary times.

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