Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pierce

Dear Mrs. Bird by A.J. Pierce – Audio

Book Blurb:

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. 

My Review: 3.5 stars

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Charming. Yep, that’s the first word I thought as I wrapped up Dear Mrs. Bird. This book is historical fiction yet it could happen at any time, especially for those that have loved ones in the armed forces.

Hunger for independence and to make her own money, our main character, Emmy, unwittingly accepts a job to be a typist for an advice column rather than a war correspondent. Stuck where she is, she deftly wiggles her way into the hearts of her co-workers while slyly giving her own advice. With astute commentary on being a young girl in love and a girl with a beau who has gone to fight, she finds that helping people is a gift and something she’s rather good at.

This book explores new relationships, odd friendships, heavy guilt, living during the blitz, the bravery of the fire brigade and owning your choices. It’s a short book that packs a punch of emotion. The audio version was a delight.

Quotes I liked:

Find out what you’re good at, Miss Lake, and then get even better. That’s the key.”

“Granny didn’t spend half her life chaining herself to railings for today’s woman to moon around waiting for some chap to look after her.”

“Mother always said it wasn’t just about keeping going, but about standing up for what you believed in as well.”

“I tried to take a deep breath and be British and brave, but it didn’t work, and instead, the tears began. Masses of them. Where did tears like that come from and how did they get there so fast? Were they always there, just waiting for something awful to happen? What a horrible job they had.”