NATIONAL BESTSELLER • “A delightful debut.”—People For readers of Lilac Girls and The Nightingale, The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir unfolds the struggles, affairs, deceptions, and triumphs of a village choir during World War II.As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy … village forge an uncommon bond. They defy the Vicar’s stuffy edict to close the choir and instead “carry on singing,” resurrecting themselves as the Chilbury Ladies’ Choir. We come to know the home-front struggles of five unforgettable choir members: a timid widow devastated when her only son goes to fight; the older daughter of a local scion drawn to a mysterious artist; her younger sister pining over an impossible crush; a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia hiding a family secret; and a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past.
An enchanting ensemble story that shuttles from village intrigue to romance to the heartbreaking matters of life and death, Jennifer Ryan’s debut novel thrillingly illuminates the true strength of the women on the home front in a village of indomitable spirit.
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Great book
Very entertaining book in the WWII fiction genre
Interesting read about a small town in England during the start of WWII with the changes that evolved because of the war. What made it so interesting was since it was told through the journals and letters of the various characters, you were give both sides of their stories and how their day to day lives were affected.
I love how the author wrote from the perspective of all the characters. This was just a delightful book. If you liked The Guernsey Potato Peel Society, you are sure to like this book.
This book touched my heart and is one that I will re-read soon.
Hearing events told by the many different voices brought this book to life. I cherish the time I spent with it!
I really enjoyed this book. When I first started reading I was afraid the story and writing was going to be a bit juvenile, but as I continued, I was drawn in. The characters and story rounded out and I found I loved the technique of telling the story through the letters and/or diary entries. It felt like I was in the middle of this little town, surrounded by the townspeople. It was just a very endearing book with good guys and bad guys. Yes, it was a bit predictable, but in a good way.
Light and humorous romantic English novel.
Although not part of my normal genre choices, I had heard so many good things about The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir that I decided to give it a shot. I am so happy with that decision. At times sad but overall heartwarming, Ryan brings to life something that is often ignored when looking back on the history of World War II – life on the home-front.
I loved that despite the heartache and problems surrounding Chilbury, Kent, the choir went on. Leaders came and went, but the choir continued and even grew stronger. The descriptions of sounds the choir created with their voices were so beautiful you could almost hear them singing, such as this one:
Mrs. Tilling’s voice was superb, the mellowness deep and rich like a late summer’s night. She paused slightly before the high note, making it even more poignant, even more beautiful, and after that the notes seemed to flow like gold from her, straight from her heart. – pg. 111
With descriptions like that, I often felt like I myself was surrounded by a choir as I read.
The growth of individual characters – Mrs. Tilling or Venetia, anyone? was both astounding and wonderful. Ryan made me feel as if I truly knew these characters and how much they had changed. It was a little disheartening that some characters (I’m looking at you, Edwina Paltry) didn’t experience the growth of others, but that makes the story more believable. Not everyone changes.
Something I initially found odd but grew to love was the writing style. The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir was written entirely in letters (some of which never received correspondence back such that we readers could tell) and journal entries. It really fits the tone of the story, however.
Ryan’s writing is so welcoming that it’s easy to fall into this story and forget the world around you. There are maps included but the recipes especially caught my eye at the story’s conclusion – they are a way to make the tale last a little longer, and experience history a little differently. Reading The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir was truly an immersive experience.
Disclaimer: I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
I loved the format of journal entries and letters as we learned about the characters in this small village during the war.