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The Bird in the Bamboo Cage

By: Hazel Gaynor
Narrated by: Imogen Church, Rosie Jones
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Publisher's Summary

Shortlisted for the Irish Book Award for Popular Fiction Book of the Year.

USA Today best seller. Inspired by true events.

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 Kent 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.

Published in the USA and Canada under the title When We Were Young & Brave.

©2020 Hazel Gaynor (P)2020 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

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

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A Beautiful Book

Thank you for writing such an uplifting and heart warming book. Although there are some truly challenging moments in the story the story remains inspiring and poignant.

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Incredibly well told story

This was an amazing listen. The narrators (one for the young girls part and one for the teachers) complemented each other really well.
I was recommended this as an insight to Girl Guides, and I’m so glad I read(listened) to it. The story will stay with me for a long time I think

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A beautiful story

I really enjoyed this lovely story . Imogen Church and Rosie Jones did a wonderful job and bought it to life beautifully ..

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Brilliant book

Best book i have enjoyed in ages. With exceptional narration and beautifully written, this story is inspiring, at times - harrowing, interesting, uplifting and shocking. This is a book that can be heard over and over with equal enjoyment. WISH there were more like it.

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Loved the pace of the story

It was a slow moving story but really kept my interest. I loved the building go the characters.

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Compelling

A tragic storyline that is compelling to listening to and leaves you with a sense of hope and a renewed strength of character. Great narrator.

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Great read

Loved the different characters in this book!
Easy to listen to and interesting.
Would recommend 😊

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