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jacki_f's review against another edition
5.0
It's 1940 and we are in the fictional village of Chilbury in south east England. The women of Chilbury have decided to form their own Ladies' Choir, as all the local men have gone off to fight in the Second World War. Written in the form of diary entries and letters, it focuses on five of the choir participants. There is Mrs Tilling, a widow who is feeling bereft having sent her son off to war; the beautiful Venetia who collects admirers and is determined to seduce the one man who shows no interest in her; her younger sister Kitty who is pining for one of her sister's admirers; Silvie, a Jewish refugee from Czechoslovakia, who is living with Venetia and Kitty's family; and Edwina Paltry, a grasping midwife who senses an opportunity to turn her fortunes around. All of them will experience dramatic changes in their lives.
The last couple of books I've read have been hard going and depressing which probably contributes to how much I enjoyed this delightful book. I picked it up expecting something lightweight and frothy, and certainly it could be described that way, but it also incorporates genuinely touching elements as the realities of the Second World War impact on the lives of the villagers.
In fairness this was probably a four star rating (the writing can be florid, the ending too pat) but it came along at the perfect time for me and I truly loved it.
The last couple of books I've read have been hard going and depressing which probably contributes to how much I enjoyed this delightful book. I picked it up expecting something lightweight and frothy, and certainly it could be described that way, but it also incorporates genuinely touching elements as the realities of the Second World War impact on the lives of the villagers.
In fairness this was probably a four star rating (the writing can be florid, the ending too pat) but it came along at the perfect time for me and I truly loved it.
annemariep68's review against another edition
5.0
This was a lovely story- and the audio book was very well done. The women of a small English town learn to do for themselves, learn how much they can do and how much strength they can find in each other during the early days of WWII and the blitz. A little bit of mystery, part romance, part historical fiction. Recommend!
barbaraskalberg's review against another edition
4.0
Reminds me of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. Amazing character development.
littletaiko's review against another edition
3.0
Sweet, engaging story set during WWII in a small English village. The men are way fighting and the women are left to handle everything. The thing keeping them together is their choir. Told from alternating perspectives from different women, it's a story of love, loss, growing up, secrets, lies, and figuring out who you are.
lisawreading's review against another edition
5.0
What an uplifting, engaging, utterly delightful read!
The Chilbury Ladies Choir is set in the small English village of Chilbury in 1940, as the ladies of the town try to find purpose and solace while the men are at war. When the official church choir is closed down due to a lack of men, spirits sink even further, until the women decide to sing on their own. Stemming from there, relationships are strengthened as the women find a new source of courage. By standing up together, they realize they can make a difference, and each, in her own way, starts to move beyond the boundaries of her former life and take a chance on something new.
Told through journal entries, newspaper clippings, and letters, we get to know the main characters through their own voices, which is a wonderful touch. Young Kitty Winthrop, age 13 (almost 14! as she likes to point out) is an aspiring singer with a childish crush on an older boy, which she allows to dominate her romantic dreams. Kitty's sister Venetia, age 18, is the town beauty who likes nothing better than flirting and toying with attractive men, making them fall in love with her and then pushing them aside once they do. However, when Venetia meets the mysterious Mr. Sleator, an artist who moves to Chilbury along with many other evacuees, she sense something more in him than merely this week's fling. For Mrs. Tilling, a woman widowed years earlier whose only son is now fighting in the war, the ladies' choir offers a chance to create beauty and harmony, and helps her come out of her shy shell and become a leading force in the community. And then there's Mrs. Paltrey, a midwife with a heart of stone, who schemes to make it rich no matter what, and no matter whose lives may be shattered along the way.
It's moving and fascinating to see how these and other characters grow and change over the course of the book. Venetia in particular is an absorbing character. Shallow and self-centered when we first meet her, she grows into a woman of substance over the months we know her, as she falls in love, suffers great loss, and emerges as a hero at a time of devastation. Likewise, Kitty, while still a young woman, learns to appreciate those around her and see people more realistically, while also realizing that even someone of her young age can make a difference.
These characters' stories, as well as those of other women of the village, weave together to create a portrait of community and courage. We don't go to war; we stay behind and see how this small village is affected by the war, and how all are changed by it, for good or for ill.
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir was a book group pick, and yet another one that I might have skipped over if not for the group. When it was first selected I was skeptical: The title made me think that it would be a very church-y sort of book, perhaps a little saccharine and cloying. Well, once again I'm glad to not have judged a book by its title! The choir itself is the framework of the story, but really, the book is about so much more. It's a portrait of the courage and strength a community can find by supporting one another through the worst of times, and shows how each woman emerges as a better version of herself when given the opportunity to step forward and stand up.
Highly recommended!
PS - I listened to the audiobook, and loved it! The audiobook uses multiple narrators to portray the voices of the different women whose voices we here, and even features snippets of the music described in the story. It's a wonderful way to experience this moving story.
Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies.
The Chilbury Ladies Choir is set in the small English village of Chilbury in 1940, as the ladies of the town try to find purpose and solace while the men are at war. When the official church choir is closed down due to a lack of men, spirits sink even further, until the women decide to sing on their own. Stemming from there, relationships are strengthened as the women find a new source of courage. By standing up together, they realize they can make a difference, and each, in her own way, starts to move beyond the boundaries of her former life and take a chance on something new.
Told through journal entries, newspaper clippings, and letters, we get to know the main characters through their own voices, which is a wonderful touch. Young Kitty Winthrop, age 13 (almost 14! as she likes to point out) is an aspiring singer with a childish crush on an older boy, which she allows to dominate her romantic dreams. Kitty's sister Venetia, age 18, is the town beauty who likes nothing better than flirting and toying with attractive men, making them fall in love with her and then pushing them aside once they do. However, when Venetia meets the mysterious Mr. Sleator, an artist who moves to Chilbury along with many other evacuees, she sense something more in him than merely this week's fling. For Mrs. Tilling, a woman widowed years earlier whose only son is now fighting in the war, the ladies' choir offers a chance to create beauty and harmony, and helps her come out of her shy shell and become a leading force in the community. And then there's Mrs. Paltrey, a midwife with a heart of stone, who schemes to make it rich no matter what, and no matter whose lives may be shattered along the way.
It's moving and fascinating to see how these and other characters grow and change over the course of the book. Venetia in particular is an absorbing character. Shallow and self-centered when we first meet her, she grows into a woman of substance over the months we know her, as she falls in love, suffers great loss, and emerges as a hero at a time of devastation. Likewise, Kitty, while still a young woman, learns to appreciate those around her and see people more realistically, while also realizing that even someone of her young age can make a difference.
These characters' stories, as well as those of other women of the village, weave together to create a portrait of community and courage. We don't go to war; we stay behind and see how this small village is affected by the war, and how all are changed by it, for good or for ill.
The Chilbury Ladies' Choir was a book group pick, and yet another one that I might have skipped over if not for the group. When it was first selected I was skeptical: The title made me think that it would be a very church-y sort of book, perhaps a little saccharine and cloying. Well, once again I'm glad to not have judged a book by its title! The choir itself is the framework of the story, but really, the book is about so much more. It's a portrait of the courage and strength a community can find by supporting one another through the worst of times, and shows how each woman emerges as a better version of herself when given the opportunity to step forward and stand up.
Highly recommended!
PS - I listened to the audiobook, and loved it! The audiobook uses multiple narrators to portray the voices of the different women whose voices we here, and even features snippets of the music described in the story. It's a wonderful way to experience this moving story.
Full review at Bookshelf Fantasies.
mrsjdoc's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
Inspiring story of women supporting each other during wartime and the healing power of music.
caseysilk's review against another edition
5.0
This book reminded me in spirit of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society which is a huge compliment from me. I loved this book and did not want it to end.
jo_bookworm's review against another edition
5.0
In the village of Chilbury it comes as a shock to some of the residents that the choir is to be disbanded because of war. Not because they could be in danger of becoming a target with their singing, but because there is no men left in the choir.
However, the women left behind in Chilbury have very strong views and they have an important place and a role to play. When Primrose Trent arrives in the village, she decides to restart the choir and The Chilbury Ladies Choir begins.
This book features the women of the choir, those from all different backgrounds, different ages and in some cases different agendas. Mrs Tilling is the local midwife, and as the book opens, two births are imminent, but with death already surrounding them due to war, it seems that the births are not going to be straightforward.
Sisters, Kitty and Venetia have nothing to do apart from avoid upsetting their father. Kitty and the little Jewish evacuee Sylvie,staying with them play games and explore the countryside. Venetia is discovering that war and falling in love ar not mutually exclusive and when you find someone, they can be taken away for very different reasons. Both sisters make and impact in the choir but also the village as well.
As the choir progresses, so does the story of this village.
What makes this book any more different from any of a similar genre. That would be in the telling of the story.
The use of letters, diary entries and public notices, forms a very rounded picture of the village and characters within. It is almost like experiencing the Mass Observation movement. Here was how others felt about what was going on around them in a small snapshot of the Second World War. An d whilst you may think perhaps it would be insular in its outlook, the book actually touches on problems far away from the village green and choir.
A really unique way of telling a story, and one that worked so beautifully, you could actually pick it up and read it again. An excellent debut novel. This is certainly going to be up there as one of my favourite books of 2017.
However, the women left behind in Chilbury have very strong views and they have an important place and a role to play. When Primrose Trent arrives in the village, she decides to restart the choir and The Chilbury Ladies Choir begins.
This book features the women of the choir, those from all different backgrounds, different ages and in some cases different agendas. Mrs Tilling is the local midwife, and as the book opens, two births are imminent, but with death already surrounding them due to war, it seems that the births are not going to be straightforward.
Sisters, Kitty and Venetia have nothing to do apart from avoid upsetting their father. Kitty and the little Jewish evacuee Sylvie,staying with them play games and explore the countryside. Venetia is discovering that war and falling in love ar not mutually exclusive and when you find someone, they can be taken away for very different reasons. Both sisters make and impact in the choir but also the village as well.
As the choir progresses, so does the story of this village.
What makes this book any more different from any of a similar genre. That would be in the telling of the story.
The use of letters, diary entries and public notices, forms a very rounded picture of the village and characters within. It is almost like experiencing the Mass Observation movement. Here was how others felt about what was going on around them in a small snapshot of the Second World War. An d whilst you may think perhaps it would be insular in its outlook, the book actually touches on problems far away from the village green and choir.
A really unique way of telling a story, and one that worked so beautifully, you could actually pick it up and read it again. An excellent debut novel. This is certainly going to be up there as one of my favourite books of 2017.
audiophile71's review against another edition
4.0
Charming novel depicting a small rural English town as World War II looms closer. The town is comprised mostly of women, as the men have gone off to war. They decide it important to form the Chilbury Ladies' Choir to uplift the spirits of those who continue to reside in their small community. Told from various points of view through letters, the story is filled with tender and sometimes sad moments and sprinkled in with some uplifting ones as well. Storylines evolve around romance, deception and the innocence of youth. A pleasing read, but absent of the powerful female characters that have become popular in WWII fiction. A pleasant read. Rating not a full 4 stars...