Bluebirds

by Margaret Mayhew

From bestselling author Margaret Mayhew, a gripping wartime page-turner, full of the tension, emotion and adventure of World War II. Perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Donna Douglas and Rosie Clarke. READERS ARE LOVING BLUEBIRDS! "Beautifully written and...so well researched" - 5 STARS"Writes exceptionally well and, in particular,catches the mood of the time" - 5 STARS"If you like ww2 stories that are a good authentic read, her books are the best I've read and I've read quite a lot." - 5 STARS"From the very start this book grabbed me" - 5 STARS"Well written story, fabulous mix of characters, really could not put this book down" - 5 STARS*******************************************************BRAVE AIRWOMEN UNITE IN THE FACE OF WORLD WAR II1939: Officer Felicity Newman and a ragtag group of young women arrive at RAF Colston. They are the first of the Women's Auxiliary Air Force: brave female pilots ready to do their bit.But Station Commander, David Palmer, doesn't want them. They're a nuisance, unable to do the work of men, and they would undoubtedly fall apart if the station was bombed.Felicity is determined to prove the worth of her 'Bluebirds'. There's Anne, who loves to dance but finds herself peeling vegetables in the station kitchens. Winnie, who longs to work on the aeroplanes themselves but meets rejection at every turn. And Virginia, who is desperate to build a new life for herself.As the war goes on, so the girls make their mark - behaving heroically under fire, supporting the pilots with their strength, loyalty, and often their love - a love sometimes tragic, sometimes passionate, but always courageous....

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Fiction, War

704 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1993

About the author

Margaret Mayhew was born in London and her earliest childhood memories were of the London Blitz. She began writing in her mid-thirties and had her first novel published in 1976. She is married to American aviation author, Philip Kaplan, and lives in Gloucestershire.

Reviews

[Anne Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic novel and tells the story of four young women who join the fledgling Women's Auxiliary Air Force (later WRAF) from their early days as new recruits early in WWII until VE Day. Given mundane jobs in the beginning, the four women go on to become officers, radar operators and flight mechanics. It covers the progress of the war, the loss of friends and loved ones, the resultant anguish and ultimately finding love. The characters are totally believable of their time and I really cared what happened to them. Because it was written 20 years ago, the style differs from today's fast-paced style of writing but this is not a detrimental statement. Truthfully, I loved being absorbed in the characters' lives and was sorry to finish the novel.

[lesley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good

This is a great read about the start of the WAFF..
With the RAF taking the Micky, that the woman should
Not be there.. Sad with all the life’s lost..

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved this! 700-plus pages so it took me a bit longer but it was so good

[Lynda · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was like the war films of the 60's when I was a child..
Black and white TV's on a Sunday afternoon after roast dinner.

Rookies heading for a Army. Navy or Airforce base
Getting to know a few singled out characters and then we go through their war years ..
with all the drama of love , hate death and family emotions.

Not a bad story but a bit dated.

[Sharyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was sad, humorous, insightful, and well written. A true dedication to the women who did their bit towards the fight in WWII.
I would highly recommend this book.

[D. Jane Akins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I have to say, first, that the book is a little hard to read because it’s written in a disjointed manner. You are introduced to several young ladies who had just joined the WAAF and told about how they were treated at first and then developed their acceptance and finally the appreciation and respect they earned. The disjointed part was that their stories were told in small vignettes with no title to let you know the characters were changing so sometimes it took a little while to figure out who they were talking about. That being sad, it truly is a wonderful book about the WAAF and the war in England. I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

[Tim Deaton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Tribute To England's Women's Auxiliary Air Force During WWII

Following four women from four totally different strata of English life, this book meets them at the beginning of World War Two as they become some of the very first WAAF's at a base on the south coast of England. This superb story takes us thru their highs and lows as they struggle to earn the respect of their male peers, and thru the joys and sorrows of their individual lives as they carry their part of the fight to keep Brittain free.

[Lisa Whiteley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

This story and its characters pulled me in and did not let go! It was a marvelous story of the women in England's military.It showed the heartaches and hardships of the war, but also the strength and resiliency of the women and how they grew while performing their jobs. Plenty of romances along with those hard times. They were a very huge help in the war effort and showed how women did not have to be delegated to just cooking and cleaning. Was a great read and well worth the money with over 700 pages!

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting to read, particularly in the early days of the war, about the WAAF volunteers, how they were treated and their living conditions. The reader follows the lives of four women over the period of WW2, the ups and downs, their love lives and the horror and tragedy of young lives lost. Unfortunately I didn’t feel their emotions, it was as if I the reader was swathed in cotton wool, and with the exception of perhaps Winnie I didn’t really care about them. So this was an okay book but a bit of a miss for me.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I did have trouble in the beginning getting used to her jumping from one character to another character so quickly. Once I got into the book I couldn't put it down. I will say this, I had recently read The Op Room Girls and the similarities made me wonder who was copying who? I saw the publish date for the Bluebirds of 2015 and got my answer. I really like Margaret Mayhew.

[Patricia O'Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Came across this book and this author by accident and so pleased I did. This book holds you the entire time with details of the lives a group of women had in WW2. Another plus was the book is 777 pages long so well worth the money I paid for it, brilliant book, cannot praise enough. Last words if you haven't done so yet read it you will be glad you did.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book and especially enjoyed the parts that included Winnie. I felt that the treatment of the main characters was uneven in that I felt that I understood some of them but not others. Why they did what they did wasn't made clear. I'm between 3-4 stars for my rating. I did get more of a sense of life in England during WWII. (It was disjointed at times, too, as others have said. )

[Roseann · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me it was a very slow start with a lot of characters to keep track of. It took me almost half of the good to keep all their stories straight. Once I began to know each of them I began to really enjoy the storyline and each of them. I'm very glad I stayed with it and the author wrapped it all up beautifully.

[Arienne M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent storyline, believable characters

The writing is excellent. I felt as if I knew the characters. There were a few spots where it was a bit technical but necessary to the plot. This was a wonderful story with well-developed characters. It's worth the read, especially if you love World War II stories.
This is an author worth following. Also, I give the editing an A+

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't think the girl on the cover is meant to be wearing makeup. She's wearing bright pink lipstick and rouge. They could have put a girl in the cover who looked a little more real -and not supermodel like!

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, and I really rarely say that! When are they going to name a film out of it??? Such a great perspective of WW2, I’m so glad I read it - it was interesting and entertaining, the characters were realistic and absorbing, just a great great read!

[ann betts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bluebirds

I thought this was a very good book. A look into the lives of the WAAF in Britain from the beginning of the Second World War. And how tough things could get during the War.

[Judy G Spivey · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War Ii brings many changes to.what is women's work.

A little slow start because of the complex characters.,but once you get into it, housing want to put it down. Read all night if you must.

[Patricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Over the White Cliffs..

Margaret Mayhew..writing is so real and hat it puts you in the middle of WWII..With Winnie..Gran..Anne Felicity during the hard times..while they llived worked fought..loved..died ..

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a much longer book than I expected, but that was fine with me since it was entertaining and somewhat suspenseful throughout. I really enjoyed it! The story was realistic and the characters realistic and interesting.

[Joann R. Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great time period

Great time period and so much going on in England. Devastating the damage done to a beautiful area. The book was good but there were so many characters at times it was hard to remember who was who.

[Kermit Clayton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Great and Warm Read

Her stories always leave me with a warm and happy feeling. She ties all the missing pieces together in the end. I come away understanding what the times were like and can picture the setting and characters in my mind. she is a good storyteller.

[Cindy Calhoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bluebirds

I enjoyed Bluebirds. I liked getting to know the variety of characters, yet I wish they were separated by chapters, because it was a little confusing to switch it up between paragraphs.

[Julieb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very happy to have been introduced to Margaret Mayhew' s books. Her stories are inventive and engaging with dialogue that rings true. I'm looking forward to another story as my next read.

[Philippa Griggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully written

Heartbreaking and moving, it follows the struggles, fears, hopes, loves and losses of a generation whose life WWII changed forever

[Elizabeth Grandt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book!

This was a great story about the war in England. Nice to learn about a different side to the war. Well written and captivating.

[Ellen Miller · Rating 2 out of 5]

One word, tedious.

[Tomsfiretruck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent store, well told. fascinating characters. Multiple story line, no so easy to follow.

[Outlander · Rating 3 out of 5]

Margaret Mayhew's WW2 novels are full of the atmosphere of the time period, 'Bluebirds' is no exception to that rule and is well worth a read.

[Janet wardle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, but then again I love all MargRet Mathews books - so nostalgic!