Alex Bailey/Amazon Prime Video
Catherine, Called Birdy, the classic 1994 historical fiction novel by Karen Cushman, has been adapted to the small screen! Writer and director Lena Dunham’s film stars Bella Ramsey (Game of Thrones) as the titular 14-year-old girl living in 13th century England. It is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video:
“Lady Catherine (known as Birdy), like all the great teen heroines, is spirited, clever and adventurous – and ready to put off any suitor that comes her way. With her family desperate to marry her off, Birdy’s imagination, defiance, and modern independence put her on a collision course with her parents. Relationships are put to the test when the most vile suitor of all arrives to claim her hand.”
On this episode of NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast, hosts Aisha Harris and Greta Johnsen share their thoughts on both the book and the film:
“Catherine Called Birdy is a novel beloved by many who grew up in the ’90s. One millennial in particular who remembers the book fondly is writer and director Lena Dunham. She’s translated the novel into a wry coming-of-age movie starring Bella Ramsey as Catherine, a smart and spirited teen living in medieval England. When her parents set out to match her with a suitor, she finds increasingly clever ways to resist any such arrangement.”
Want to read the book before you see the film (or even after)? You’ll find digital copies of Catherine, Called Birdy in the Sora digital reading app: