Dear Mrs Bird- The Emmy Lake Chronicles

Synopsis

The Richard & Judy Book Club Pick and Sunday Times Bestseller. Irresistibly funny and moving, Dear Mrs Bird by AJ Pearce is a wartime love letter to the enduring power of friendship, the kindness of strangers and the courage of ordinary people in extraordinary times.

'The sweetest, most uplifting, lovely book about courage, friendship, love' - Marian Keyes, author of Grown Ups.

London, 1941. Amid the falling bombs Emmeline Lake dreams of becoming a fearless Lady War Correspondent. Unfortunately, Emmy instead finds herself employed as a typist for the formidable Henrietta Bird, the renowned agony aunt at Woman's Friend magazine. Mrs Bird refuses to read, let alone answer, letters containing any form of Unpleasantness, and definitely not those from the lovelorn, grief-stricken or morally conflicted.

But the thought of these desperate women waiting for an answer at this most desperate of times becomes impossible for Emmy to ignore. She decides she simply must help and secretly starts to write back - after all, what harm could that possibly do?

'Utterly charming and helplessly funny' - Jenny Colgan, author of An Island Wedding

'A proper comfort read' - India Knight, author of Don't You Want Me?

About the Publisher

Picador

Picador publishes outstanding international writing, fiction and non-fiction, in both hardback and paperback, and has numerous prize winners on its list. Picador has established a reputation for literary fiction with a broad commercial appeal, groundbreaking non-fiction, (particularly, reportage, literary biography and memoir) and a formidable poetry list, which has consistently won many of the major prizes.

Summary

Chapter 1: Letter from London

* Emmy Lake, a young woman living in a small English village during World War II, receives a letter from Mrs. Bird, an editor at a women's magazine in London.
* Mrs. Bird invites Emmy to join her team as an advice columnist under the pseudonym "Dear Mrs. Bird."

Real Example:

Emmy is startled at the invitation, as she had never written an advice column before. However, she decides to take on the challenge, hoping to find some purpose and meaning in her life during the war.

Chapter 2: Birds of a Feather

* Emmy arrives in London and meets Mrs. Bird, a sharp and eccentric editor.
* She is introduced to her colleagues, including the charming and witty Bunty Willoughby.

Real Example:

Emmy is immediately struck by the contrast between the drabness of her home village and the vibrant atmosphere of London during the war. She begins to feel a sense of belonging and excitement in her new surroundings.

Chapter 3: Questions and Quandaries

* Emmy begins her work as Dear Mrs. Bird, answering letters from women with various wartime dilemmas.
* She uses her common sense, empathy, and a touch of humor to provide advice on topics such as relationships, family, and self-confidence.

Real Example:

One of Emmy's first letters comes from a young woman struggling with guilt over her brother's death in the war. Emmy responds with compassion and understanding, offering practical advice on how to cope with grief.

Chapter 4: The Rhythm of War

* As the war rages on, Emmy's life becomes intertwined with the lives of those around her.
* She forms a close bond with Bunty, who shares her wit and resilience amidst the challenges of wartime.

Real Example:

Emmy and Bunty often spend their evenings together, discussing the war and their hopes for the future. They become a source of support for each other, providing a sense of community in a time of upheaval.

Chapter 5: Love in the Ruins

* Emmy meets a charming American soldier named Joe, who becomes smitten with her.
* However, their budding romance is overshadowed by the impending threat of war's end and the possibility of separation.

Real Example:

Emmy grapples with her feelings for Joe, knowing that their time together may be limited. She is forced to confront her own desires and the uncertainty that the future holds.

Chapter 6: Lessons from the Past

* As the war draws to a close, Emmy reflects on her experiences as Dear Mrs. Bird.
* She realizes that she has grown and learned a great deal about herself and the world around her.

Real Example:

Emmy recognizes that her role as an advice columnist has given her a unique perspective on the struggles and triumphs of women during wartime. She emerges from the experience with a renewed sense of purpose and a determination to make a difference in the postwar world.