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.
more
Good look at effect of WW11 on Channel Islands. Great fun to see interaction of personalities under stress of war
Different, with a little bit about WW !!
I am so done with WWII books (I thought) but this was a new look at this time period and once I got going I was completely taken in. Highly recommended!
This was a great historical read that reminds me of the “Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” book! Liked the characters and storyline.
Loved loved loved this book. Wonderful, down to earth characters that I wanted to sit with a cuppa tea.. Although I am not a very musical person, I could really understand how the music saved the members of the group during the war.
Although it is hard for me to believe that this many people would be awesome letter writers, or that they would actually commit to paper the kinds of things in these letters, it was still a good glimpse into this time period of the women who are left behind when the men go off to fight.
Disclosure: I won a paperback copy of this book in a goodreads giveaway. I was not required to make a favorable review. I’ve since gone on to purchase a Kindle version, as well as an audio version from Chirp.
This is an excellent epistolary novel, akin to The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. Both are epistolary novels. Both are set in WW2 era England. Both of the audio books are read by a cast of narrators. One thing I enjoyed about The Chilbury Ladies Choir audio was the inclusion of snippets of an actual ladies chorus singing the music being referenced as I was listening. I just wish the snippets might have been a bit longer. The author writes excellent prose. The funeral scene was simultaneously heart breaking and uplifting. That’s quite an accomplishment, right there! I look forward to reading more books by this author.
4 Stars
Love this book! Great story of women on the home front during the war. Nice change from the stories about front line horrors. Highly recommend.
Good book for history buffs.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book in most every way.
Delightful
An easy read that kept my interest, although by the end I could predict the outcomes. Interesting turns, and opportunity for character growth.
A Delightful read.
Great. I loved it
I enjoyed this book very much! Very moving and romantic!
Also informative about all that the poor English endured during the war!
A little slow.
A cozy read. Nice characters and good descriptions.
In this WWII book Music has a power to heal and soothe during turbulent times.
This is set in a quiet English village that evolves into a different kind of village during WWII with the help of the ladies in the choir. Many of them are also changed. A terrific book that I look forward to rereading soon!