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katie_chandler's review against another edition
3.0
It was difficult for me to become engaged in this plot. The format of letters and journal entries from several characters means jumping perspectives a bit, and it wasn’t until over halfway through that I was remembering names and how characters were related to one another. I did tear up a little bit with the descriptions of singing, which brought back memories of elite choir concerts. The ensuing seemed sudden.
soniapage's review against another edition
4.0
I think what made this book so enjoyable to me was the fantastic voice actors on this audio book. They made the book so lively and quite hilarious (Mrs. Palfrey) in some parts even though there is death and sorrow throughout.
janeyre9's review against another edition
5.0
This book was the literary equivalent of a nice, big cup of tea. I absolutely loved Chilbury and its residents, particularly Mrs. Tilling, who warmed my heart in every page. Beautiful story, wonderful audio.
sydcompton's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 took me a bit to get into and was a bit all over
cserlin66's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
emileereadsbooks's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
It's 1940 and the village of Chilbury is full of changes. And as men head off to war, the Vicar decides to shut down the choir until they return. But the women of the village rally and find a new harmony through participating in the choir. Told through the perspectives of women young and old, this is a story of how life goes on during war, but perhaps in more complicated ways.
_____
I have loved the other books I have read from Jennifer Ryan, but this one just did not work for me. Part of the reason may be that this novel is epistolary and I am not a fan of epistolary novels as a rule. Another is that it took me forever to read this book over the last few weeks of pregnancy and the first few weeks of motherhood, so I was a little distracted. I think perhaps if I had read it at a different time, it may have been a better fit. But for me this one was a slog of a reading experience. That being said, if you like WWII uplifting fiction, this is probably a great title for you.
Content warning: pregnancy mishaps, miscarriage, war violence
cari1268's review against another edition
4.0
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir sure was entertaining. And that's saying something as I couldn't stand almost all of the characters the first 100 pages. Jennifer Ryan created quite the cast of unlikeable characters. I kept hoping we would follow Mrs. Primrose, Silvie or Hattie. Nope. We got the two awful sisters and stick-in-the-mud Mrs. Tilling.
Thankfully, the characters grew and became more likable. I even started to cheer for them. Although I must admit that I wished bad events on Venetia for over half of the book.
Besides hard-to-like characters, I did have some issues with certain characterizations and plot points. Ryan had flimsy villains.
-Henry's about-face came out of no where. Considering, Venetia was life-long friends with him, I would have expected some clues that he was actually a horrible monster.
-The Brigadier was also inconsistent. One moment he's capable of killing Edwina Paltry to keep a secret and thrashing his daughter to being cowed by Mrs. Tilling. I didn't buy it.
-I didn't believe Slater and Venetia's romance. Why was Slater attracted to Venetia in the first place? I assumed it was for the sex but then he was in love with her?
There were parts I did like.
-Kitty was funny. She had me chuckling quite a bit.
-Mrs. Tilling and the Colonel's romance was a great hate-to-love romance. My favorite kind.
-I loved Mrs. Primrose as a character.
-I was laughing at what happened to Venetia's portrait. I don't even care that it was a tad unbelievable. That was funny.
I'm a sucker for epistolatory format. Yes, the letters/journal entries didn't sound like actual letters/journal entries. However, that's something I'm okay forgiving as I like the format so much.
Entertainment-wise, this was an easy four star read. However, I am going to take off half a star for my character/plot issues.
3.5 Stars
*There was some adult content in this book. Thankfully, no graphic sex scenes but characters were having sex. In one instance,.
Thankfully, the characters grew and became more likable. I even started to cheer for them. Although I must admit that I wished bad events on Venetia for over half of the book.
Besides hard-to-like characters, I did have some issues with certain characterizations and plot points. Ryan had flimsy villains.
Spoiler
-Henry's about-face came out of no where. Considering, Venetia was life-long friends with him, I would have expected some clues that he was actually a horrible monster.
-The Brigadier was also inconsistent. One moment he's capable of killing Edwina Paltry to keep a secret and thrashing his daughter to being cowed by Mrs. Tilling. I didn't buy it.
-I didn't believe Slater and Venetia's romance. Why was Slater attracted to Venetia in the first place? I assumed it was for the sex but then he was in love with her?
There were parts I did like.
Spoiler
-Kitty was funny. She had me chuckling quite a bit.
-Mrs. Tilling and the Colonel's romance was a great hate-to-love romance. My favorite kind.
-I loved Mrs. Primrose as a character.
-I was laughing at what happened to Venetia's portrait. I don't even care that it was a tad unbelievable. That was funny.
I'm a sucker for epistolatory format. Yes, the letters/journal entries didn't sound like actual letters/journal entries. However, that's something I'm okay forgiving as I like the format so much.
Entertainment-wise, this was an easy four star read. However, I am going to take off half a star for my character/plot issues.
3.5 Stars
*There was some adult content in this book. Thankfully, no graphic sex scenes but characters were having sex. In one instance,
Spoiler
a nude portrait was drawn of a charactermnstucki's review against another edition
3.0
Overall, I really enjoyed The Chilbury Ladies' Choir. It's got a good story that's well-plotted. There are a few things about the writing that I struggled with, however. The narrative is told through rotating points of view as various characters write letters and journal entries. This is perfectly fine and done fairly well, BUT I will say that the characters who aren't narrating the story mostly lack depth, which is rather disappointing. Additionally, the development/growth of one of the prominent characters in the story (Edwina Paltry) is essentially saved for the very last moment and it's decidedly not believable because of that. The other major characters experience believable growth and changes in attitudes over the course of the story, but her character remains static until the very end of the book. All in all, though, I'm definitely not sad that I read this.