The Chilbury Ladies' Choir

By Jennifer Ryan

Book Overview

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 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1101906774
• ISBN13: 9781101906774
• Release Date: September 2017
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 432 Pages
• Weight: 0.85 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 5.2" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Joy to Read

During WWII, with only a few men left in the English village of Chilbury, the women were left with a decision to make when the Vicar posted that the choir was disbanded. The only joy in a war-torn time. Fight back or accept. The women decide to fight back and form the Chilbury Ladies Choir. The story is told through letters and diaries written by the women of this village. A joy to read the trials and joys of these women during a terrible time in this world.

Loved it!

I am obsessed with Jennifer Ryan’s books, she has a total of 5 and they are all absolutely fantastic. Based on actual facts, take time during the 2nd World War, and historical fiction at its finest. This book is in particular charming and I highly recommend it.

Best book I have read in a long time....excellent