Listen free for 30 days

  • Dear Mrs. Bird

  • Written by: AJ Pearce
  • Narrated by: Anna Popplewell
  • Length: 9 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.4 out of 5 stars (87 ratings)

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
Premium Plus auto-renews for $14.95/mo + applicable taxes after 30 days. Cancel anytime.
Dear Mrs. Bird cover art

Dear Mrs. Bird

Written by: AJ Pearce
Narrated by: Anna Popplewell
Try for $0.00

$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $23.67

Buy Now for $23.67

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Tax where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

"A marvelous treat. Charming and delightful." (Nina Stibbe, author of Love, Nina)

An irresistible debut 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. Emmeline 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 suddenly seem achievable. But the job turns out to be working as a typist for the fierce and renowned advice columnist Henrietta Bird. Emmy is disappointed but gamely bucks up and buckles down.

Mrs. Bird is very clear: Letters containing any Unpleasantness must go straight in the bin. But when Emmy reads poignant notes from women who may have Gone Too Far with the wrong men, 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 back to the readers who have poured out their troubles.

Prepare to fall head over heels for Emmy and her best friend, Bunty, who are gutsy and spirited, even in the face of a terrible blow. The irrepressible Emmy keeps writing letters in this hilarious and enormously moving tale of friendship, the kindness of strangers, and ordinary people in extraordinary times.

©2018 AJ Pearce (P)2018 Simon & Schuster

What listeners say about Dear Mrs. Bird

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    48
  • 4 Stars
    23
  • 3 Stars
    15
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    53
  • 4 Stars
    17
  • 3 Stars
    3
  • 2 Stars
    1
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    38
  • 4 Stars
    21
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Back in Time

This novel took me back in time. I enjoyed that even though it was a fictional tale, it could have been the real story of anyone in that time. The narrator was amazing and I appreciate a British reader for a Britain based novel.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

A delight

Not something I would typically read but found the story engaging... the characters were well developed and found that I cared about their stories. A quick read that left me saddened when the novel ended. Also, The narration ( performance ) was the best of any audible book I have listened to.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Carry on

Made me realize the day to day goings on during the Blitz. Amazing the British managed to Carry on, Stiff upper lip. & all that. Not sure how I would of managed. Hope I never have to find out!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Interesting to explore a historical period, but not a compelling story

I didn’t enjoy the narrator. Story didn’t really take off for me. But as an examination of life in London during WWII, it was interesting.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
  • LK
  • 2022-12-14

Dear Mrs Bird

This delightful book is both sincere and has periods of light hearted gaffes. I highly recommend this read/ listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Light interesting read

Thoroughly enjoyed this story. I would have loved for it to go on and hear more about the characters futures. It is one of those stories where you just fall for the characters.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

If you like 'Call the Midwife'

I loved this WWII novel! It was the perfect blend of friendship, love, heroism, and London during the war. The main character is extremely likeable and relatable, one can't help cheering her on.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Loved it!

The story itself is quirky and humourous, yet we get a glimpse of real life problems that were going on at that time. I have a passion for WWII books and this one is definitely top drawer. It is a unique point of view of war-torn London and the ordinary people just trying to keep life going. Anna Popplewell was the perfect choice to narrate this story and this character.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Transforming story

This book transports the reader back in time with such great accuracy and emotion. I felt apart of their lives.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Dear Mrs. Bird .. Delightful

What a delightful and informative read.. Anna Popplewell did the story justice. Having grown up in England after the war I could feel the emotion of the characters through dialogue and circumstance of the era. A must read for any WW11 enthusiasts.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!