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The Bird in the Bamboo Cage
- Narrated by: Imogen Church, Rosie Jones
- Length: 11 hrs and 31 mins
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The Bird in the Bamboo Cage
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Summary
Inspired by true events…
‘Vivid, heart-rending and so, so beautiful’ Jenny Ashcroft
'A beautiful, tender and fascinating story' Sinead Moriarty
‘Deeply moving. Be prepared – have handkerchiefs on standby at the end’ Antonia Senior, The Times
‘An inspiring novel about the power of determination, courage and unity’ Woman’s Own
China, 1941. With Japan’s declaration of war on the Allies, Elspeth Kent’s future changes forever. When soldiers take control of the missionary school where she teaches, comfortable security is replaced by rationing, uncertainty and fear.
Ten-year-old Nancy Plummer has always felt safe at Chefoo School. Now the enemy, separated indefinitely from anxious parents, the children must turn to their teachers – to Miss Keny and her new Girl Guide patrol especially – for help. But worse is to come when the pupils and teachers are sent to a distant internment camp. Unimaginable hardship, impossible choices and danger lie ahead.
Inspired by true events, this is the unforgettable story of the life-changing bonds formed between a young girl and her teacher, in a remote corner of a terrible war.
Shortlisted for the Irish Book Awards for Popular Fiction Book of the Year
USA Today bestseller
Published in the USA and Canada under the title When We Were Young and Brave.
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Critic reviews
"Moving and authentic." (Dinah Jefferies)
"Beautiful...warm, loveable characters who had me rooting for them all the way." (Tracy Rees)
"An absolute treat." (Liz Nugent)
What listeners say about The Bird in the Bamboo Cage
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Pierre Bovington
- 17-04-24
Survival
Inspiring story of China during the occupation of Japan. Hazel Gaynor captures the moment perfectly.
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2 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Customer
- 14-04-24
Memories
Many stories are told about prison camps from WW2 but the way this story is told brings a new understanding of how people went on living with hope despite the appalling circumstances.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ruth
- 26-10-24
Great book
I loved this story, well read and written. Sad but really informative and loved that it was about brownies way back.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Jenny Simanis
- 22-02-23
Beautiful story
Really wonderful story and performance. The telling of this powerful tale is very gently told, and is all the better for it.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Rachael Murphy
- 05-05-21
Beautiful
Lovely story excellently preformed. I feel like I learned a bit about what it was like. War stories that follow civilians give you so much when it comes to understanding your what happened.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Kiki
- 30-05-21
Couldn't stop listening.
What a thought provoking story. It stays with you long after the last chapter.
We could all do with a Miss Kent, to help us through difficult times.
I absolutely loved this book. The narrator, made this story come alive, how she managed all the different accents, is amazing.
I was so sorry it had to end, I felt as though I had lost some very dear friends.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Mrs Green
- 15-11-20
Exceptional
i have thoroughly enjoyed all of Ms Gaynor's books thus far, this being one of my favourites.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anna
- 28-11-21
Brilliant book
I stumbled upon this book and had it as an audible. It kept me company on my dog walks! I wasn’t too keen on the narration but there’s no getting away from the fact that this is a very well written and very readable book. Loved it from start to finish. Will have you in tears by the end!!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Malcolm Mills
- 11-04-24
unputdownable
a really lovely story told so beautifully.I learned a lot about a time and place of which I knew nothing
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance4 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Sigrin
- 05-04-24
Courage and determination
Beautiful but harrowing book of the teachers of boarding school and their pupils who are changing from children to young adults, all whilst enduring the Japanese occupation in the far East during WW2.
Their old fashioned values, morals and résilience were their saving grace, one does wonder how the todays youngsters would cope? I especially liked the scene with them eating the meagre rations at the pow camp, whilst the teachers ensured that they kept their table manners. It was however these values that allowed their minds to stay strong and focused, despite being physically weak to continue during this almost impossible time.
I usually like Imogen Church as a narrator but found her intonation on many occasion a bit theatrical. Rosie Jones was just lovely as Nancy.
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2 people found this helpful