Beautiful read, I have been a follower of Crosby since The Illustrated Child and I look forward to her books, I knew this wouldn’t disappoint!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me access an advance copy of this book in exchange for my review.

This is a dual time novel set in 1938 and 1997. In the past wealthy Vita Goldsborough’s life changes when she meets artist Dodie Blakeney. She finds friendship and support after the loss of her parents and sustaining the controlling behaviour of her overbearing brother. In 1997 Dodie’s granddaughter Eve has also faced personal struggles and loss. She spends time clearing out Dodie’s studio and discovers secrets about her family’s past.
The pace of the story is incredibly slow and I struggled to get into the plot meaning my interest was barely sustained. The synopsis held real potential, but the novel didn’t live up to it in my opinion.

Dual time line novel set in NORFOLK

4.5*

I listened to this as an audiobook and very much enjoyed the narration by Kristin Atherton, who could convincingly modulate her voice according to character.

At the heart of the novel is a glass edifice – the Cathedral of the Marshes – fancifully containing furniture of faded opulence and exotic plants and birds. It was built in the late 1920s by aristocrat Aubrey Goldsborough, who created it for his intended wife, but who abandoned him – and the building – for another man. Bitterness became a byword for his behaviour, which became increasingly controlling towards his sister, Vita, who lived with him at Goldsborough Hall.

Back in early 20th Century, Vita happened upon local artist, Dodie Blakeney, and the two formed a very firm friendship. In the late 1990s Eve Blakeney, Dodie’s granddaughter, chooses to spend some time at the fisherman’s cottage that served as her grandmother’s home and studio. Within the family it is mooted that the property should be sold but she is loathe to go down that road, severing further attachments to her childhood, and memories of time spent with their mother Angela. It is where the family spent their Summers but an event several years ago left a traumatic mark on Eve, and, now, she is back for the first since that event – with a myriad of mixed feelings.

Eve, herself an artist, is asked to step out of her comfort zone and paint the portrait of an older woman, and during their sessions many unanswered questions evolve about her own family. Can she retrospectively build up a picture of her family over the decades?

This is a novel with a beautiful ethereal quality, that moves comfortably between the two timelines. The varying stories are fleshed out and colourfully told, as birds flutter about within the confines of the finely detailed glass building – which I imagine to be like the tip of The Shard in London. Antique, faded furnishings from around the world add to the dessicated and stagnant feel of the interior, as events unfold against this carefully crafted backdrop.

Liked the overview of the plot when i selected the book however it took me hours to get into it, very slow burner. Got through it but felt like i wasn't really enjoying it. The narration was excellent and kept me going. Thank you #NetGalley for the audiobook to review.

A story of love, friendship and life changing findings. Beautifully written and well crafted tale. All the characters are believable and so the tale unfolds seamlessly. a lovely escape from the real world.

This is such an unusual read ( or listen); it’s slow paced, filled with detail and it’s truly a story to savour. I’ve enjoyed every moment of the telling; the narration throughout is superb. Just the right pace and timbre.

It’s a whimsical mix of historical fiction with mystery and live interest. The dual time line works well as the story unfolds and past connections reverberate through to the present. Polly Crosby writes with a quiet intensity that draws you in to every detail without it becoming mundane. It’s thoughtful and skilfully constructed and totally satisfying. Really enjoyed this.

Vita and the Birds is a fun mystery with a dual timeline and a slow burner. I loved seeing the multiple generations and learning about the women's lives. There's a lot of tension and suspense built throughout this through Vita's almost tragic life but I felt this mixed really well with the historical aspect. I do wish this was slightly more faced pace and slightly shorter as it did start to drag a bit but overall I enjoyed this and through it was really interesting.

4.25⭐️

<i> 1938: Lady Vita Goldsborough lives in the shadow of her controlling older brother, Aubrey. Trapped and isolated on the East Anglian coast, Vita takes solace in watching the birds that fly over the marshes. But then she meets local artist Dodie Blakeney. The two women form a close bond, and Vita finally glimpses a chance to escape Aubrey’s grasp and be as free as the birds she loves.

1997: Decades later and in the wake of her mother’s death, Eve Blakeney returns to the coast where she spent childhood summers with her beloved grandmother, Dodie. Eve hopes the visit will help make sense of her grief. The last thing she expects to find is a bundle of letters that hint at the heart-breaking story of Dodie’s relationship with a woman named Vita.

Eve and Vita’s stories are linked by a shattering secret that echoes through the decades, and when Eve discovers the truth, it will overturn everything she thought she knew about her family – and change her life forever. </i>

This dual-timeline story focuses on two linked tales, that of Vita in the former, and Eve in the latter. The stories told and secrets revealed kept me engaged throughout, and the narrator, Kristin Atherton, did a lovely job as well. Stick around at the end of the audiobook for a brief interview with the author as well.

* I received an ARC of the audiobook from NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio in exchange for an honest review.

Oh I adored this! I was absolutely gripped and just couldn’t stand to be removed from the story. Split between two timelines the 1930”s and the 1990”s. It’s a stunning whimsical historical fiction. I fell entirely in love with Eve, and with Vita and Dodi. I even (shock element) fell in love with the little birds. I could envisage the art I could feel the texture of the paints. I was absolutely captivated by the uncovering of the past. All the stars ⭐️ excellently written, beautifully narrated. Just released on May 25th. Stunning!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins audio U.K. for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an honest review.

Vita and the Birds is historical fiction at its finest. It tells the story of two ladies in a dual timeline: Eve in 1997 is returning to the childhood summer home she has fond memories of until she starts to remember what really happened in the Cathedral of the Marshes eight years ago. She meets a local lady who wishes Eve to paint her portrait and Eve wonders if she knew her grandmother Dodie.
We also return to Vita's life in 1939 on the cusp of war and in a controlling relationship with her brother Aubrey. With a sinister backdrop and a mysterious birdcage engraved with three names, this has atmospheric tension galore ☺️

I loved this! Such a great premise and I always love a mix of generations retelling their story, discovering and learning about those different experiences. Aubrey was such a horrible character and all the women had such distinctive voices for the audio, it was all beautifully brought to life. The Cathedral of the Marshes was such a muddle of beauty, freedom and horror, that it became a character in itself, as Eve remembered some of what happened through dreams and discussions with people who were there.

Easy five star read 😁

I just reviewed Vita and the Birds by Polly Crosby. #VitaandtheBirds #NetGalley

A slow-burner this one and not my usual genre, although it is kind of historical in type.

It’s about letters found of forbidden love between two women.

The Narrator was EXCELLENT and did different voices for the various characters which made it easier to follow.

The story itself was beautifully written hi but I just couldn’t make a “connection” to the story.

Loved the narrator though and would love to hear her narrate something a bit meatier.

At this novels centre is the cathedral of the marshes, a place which to me became a character in its own right as so much of the action takes place there. This light open building, so much like a cage, brought the novel slightly gothic undertones. At once, both a bright & open refuge, but wonderfully sinister too.

I found the beginning of the novel a little slow & it took me some time to get into the flow of the story. I liked the back & forth  from Vita in the past to Eve's more modern timeline. For me, Vita & the Birds is a novel about women, their fragilities, but ultimately their strengths, alongside a story of family &friendship.

I flipped between the physical & audio of this book (something which I'm increasingly enjoying doing as it means I can keep reading even if I can't eye read it).
The audio is very well done. The distinction in tones & accents for the characters made it really easy to follow.

Well, this was riveting! Truthfully, I couldn’t put it down. I love books with this kind of pace. Great book and congrats. I’m sure many more will enjoy it as well. I loved it . . . stayed up late to finish it!

1938: Lady Vita Goldsborough lives in the shadow of her controlling older brother, Aubrey. Trapped and isolated on the East Anglian coast, Vita takes solace in watching the birds that fly over the marshes. But then she meets local artist Dodie Blakeney. The two women form a close bond, and Vita finally glimpses a chance to escape Aubrey's grasp and be as free as the birds she loves. 1997: Decades later and in the wake of her mother's death, Eve Blakeney returns to the coast where she spent childhood summers with her beloved grandmother, Dodie. Eve hopes the visit will help make sense of her grief. The last thing she expects to find is a bundle of letters that hint at the heart-breaking story of Dodie's relationship with a woman named Vita. Eve and Vita's stories are linked by a shattering secret that echoes through the decades, and when Eve discovers the truth, it will overturn everything she thought she knew about her family - and change her life forever.

I really enjoyed this book, the author built up a great atmosphere with a dual timeline story full of mystery. It was a little slow to start but I couldn’t stop listening once it got going. The characters and story were very well written and the novel gives a good sense of time and place. I preferred the historical timeline to the more modern one but they came together beautifully in the end
This had a gothic feel which I absolutely love, it was dark but also full of heart and well rounded, realistic characters while the authors writing was gorgeous and descriptive

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC