Bookseller Reviews
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Enjoyable and inspirational
This was a delightful read and I loved every second of it. When Emmeline takes a new job, it is not what she expected, her ambitions of being a Lady War Co... READ MORE
Such Fun!
This book landed in my pigeon hole at exactly the right time. I was wanting something uplifting and light hearted to get me through the winter months, and ... READ MORE
An absolute treat of a read
This book was honestly and completely an absolute joy to read. I laughed, I cried and I finished the book feeling utterly full to the brim. It's a light, a... READ MORE
Wonderful, emotional read
This book is absolutely brilliant and had me laughing and crying! A really wonderful coming-of-age type story set during the second world war.
Looking forward to the sequel!
Thank you to the publisher for a free copy in exchange for a review. A thoroughly enjoyable read, reminiscent of "Guernsey Literary...". Both heart-warming... READ MORE
A perfect antidote to cheer you up.
Best friends Emmeline and Bunty are doing all they can to make life cheerful despite the nightly bombings being dropped upon London. With determination to ... READ MORE
Surprisingly uplifting
With its upbeat tone and optimistic heroine, this WWII novel managed to be a surprisingly fun read while celebrating the uplifting power of friendship.
... READ MORE
I adore this series
Dear Mrs Bird is the first of a four book series that I absolutely adore.
Set in London during World War II, it's packed with engaging characters.
Jo... READ MORE
Synopsis
London, 1941. Emmeline Lake and her best friend Bunty are trying to stay cheerful despite the Luftwaffe making life thoroughly annoying for everyone. 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, the renowned agony aunt of Woman's Friend magazine.
Mrs Bird is very clear: letters containing any form of Unpleasantness must go straight into the bin. But as Emmy reads the desperate pleas from women who may have Gone Too Far with the wrong man, or can't bear to let their children be evacuated, she decides the only thing for it is to secretly write back . . .
Irresistibly funny and enormously moving, Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce is a love letter to the enduring power of friendship, the kindness of strangers and the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times.
'Books that make you shake with laughter and sob with tears are rare. I gulped this one down but didn't stop thinking about it for a long time' - Katie Fforde
Publisher information
- Publisher: Pan Macmillan
- ISBN: 9781509853892
- Number of pages: 320
- Dimensions: 300 x 155 x 40 mm
- Weight: 461g
Customer Reviews
View allThe joy of letter writing!
I am writing to say what a pleasure it was to read this story and to think it all began with an advertisement in the newspaper...
Emmy applied for a job w... READ MORE
Simply Lovely
Thank you to Brid Enright and Team Macmillan for this lovely boxed proof copy.
This is most certainly not the type of book I would usually pick to read bu... READ MORE
Simply wonderful
I loved this book from it’s opening page. The warmth of the writing eminates from the pages, drawing the reader back to Emmy’s war time London. There is so... READ MORE
A Jolly Good Read!
Join Emmy and Bunty as they adapt to life as Ambitious Young Women in war-torn London.
Emmy's dreams of being a Brave Lady War Correspondent are brought do... READ MORE
A glow of warmth in these cold times!
What a tonic this book is. I saved it to read until one cold snowy evening last week, as the Beast from the East did its worst outside and it was an excell... READ MORE
Awfully good
An Awfully Good book. It portrays the realities of Keeping Calm and Carrying On in an entertaining and thought provoking way. It made me laugh and cry. Jol... READ MORE
Didn’t want it to end!
I can’t recommend this enough! This was such a different read to anything else and the story was ‘Simply Marvellous’! I loved the characters and the langua... READ MORE
Joy to be found on every page
I loved this book from it’s opening page. The warmth of the writing eminates from the pages, drawing the reader back to Emmy’s war time London. There is so... READ MORE
I absolutely adored this book
I absolutely adored this book. It was a real page turner and I didn't want it to finish. I loved all the characters, including the terrifying Mrs Bird. The... READ MORE
A charming depiction of wartime London
This is a novel about wartime London and almost the art of "getting on" with things despite the disruption that bombing causes. For me it took a really lon... READ MORE
Charming, evocative, quirky and just wonderful!
What a wonderful novel!!
I was captivated by the writing, the fabulously drawn characters and I was truly transported right into the heart of wartime Lond... READ MORE
Charming and Lovely
I have had a bit of weird start to my reading year in that I've read a number of really great books, but not really enjoyed any of them very much.
I pick... READ MORE
Perfectly set in its time. I read this book in one day!
I enjoyed this book so much that I am really glad I bought the sequel (Yours Cheerfully) at the same time.
A J Pearce has set her wonderfully likeable ch... READ MORE
Unremarkable
This book is a soft read, nothing really happens, there is no twists or turns. It feels like a story in people's friend. The main character is all jolly ho... READ MORE
A charming but emotional read!
Rounded down from 4.5 stars ⭐️
Dear Mrs Bird follows Emmy, a young woman who aspires to be a journalist, reporting on war. Unfortunately, when a job at a ... READ MORE
hugely enjoyable book is the perfect tonic for these long winter nights....
Emmy dreams of being a fearless Lady War Correspondent. To do her bit in the war effort she applies for a job with the Evening Chronicle unfortunately ther... READ MORE
A Marvellous Debut
Dear Mrs Bird by A.J. Pearce is the most charming historical novel set in London during 1940/1941.
The action surrounds the pages of an agony aunt in an es... READ MORE
not your typical historical fiction
Dear Mrs Bird is not your typical historical fiction.
Set during World War 2, follows the story of Emmy who, by mistake, gets a job at a magazine as a typ... READ MORE
Disappointing
Dear Mrs Bird looked promising but I didn’t enjoy it as much as I thought I would.
Mrs Bird
Didn’t enjoy this as much as I had hoped, as it was just too predictable to be really entertaining, but it was a pleasant read.
Lovely story and adorable characters
I absolutely loved this book, right from page 1 I adored Emmy and Bunty. Their friendship is full or laughs and tears throughout the story.
I wanted the ... READ MORE
A novel of loss, laughter and friendship set in WW2 LONDON
I saw the author speaking at a local event (Forum Books – the award winning independent bookshop – often host great authors) and was subsequently delighted... READ MORE
Sometimes, a read that is light-hearted and meaningful is all we need…
''Μrs Bird says if people get themselves into a silly pickle, they've only themselves to blame.''
London is trying to survive in the middle of the Blitz. ... READ MORE
an outstanding debut novel
Dear Mrs Bird is the first book in the Emmy Lake Chronicles series. A slightly vague job advertisement and a desperate desire to be a journalist: these are... READ MORE