Happy Little Bluebirds

Louise Levene

1940s Hollywood couldn’t be further from the drab world of Woking so it’s a bit of a culture shock when Evelyn Murdoch is plucked from her job in the Postal Censorship department and sent to the US west coast to help the British propaganda war effort. From looking after her batty mother-in-law to helping a British agent who never actually appears, Evelyn is kept busy avoiding the Los Angeles German delegation and keeping up with Hollywood’s absurd trends. Louise Levene’s cinematic satire brings sunshine and glamour, while letters from Evelyn’s sister-in-law are reminders of the real world in London. The plot is a bit like a Hollywood film set facade but there’s pace and plenty of wit to keep you entertained until the credits roll.

7/10