Dear Mrs. Bird

I've described this book to friends as “kind of like The Devil Wears Prada but with rampant bombing” and having finished it I still think that's not a terrible way to sum it up.

It takes the same tone as the protagonist; intentionally upbeat while the world quite literally burns. It's optimism to the point of denial, because the characters aren't sure how else to keep going. Being overwhelmed by helplessness and hopelessness in the context of vast political conflicts resulting in much suffering is something many can relate to. But it's more lighthearted than that makes it sound.

It wasn't a favorite, but it's a pretty quick and boisterous read.