nanceoir's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, the title is what really interested me in this book -- I love choirs! Add to that the wartime homefront setting, and I was intrigued.
Admittedly, this isn't my usually book fare, but I really enjoyed it. At first I was enjoying the book without being too invested, but the more I read, the more I attached I got to the characters. Kind of a slow burn, really.
Given that I enjoyed my time in this book, perhaps I should expand my reading choices a bit further out.
Admittedly, this isn't my usually book fare, but I really enjoyed it. At first I was enjoying the book without being too invested, but the more I read, the more I attached I got to the characters. Kind of a slow burn, really.
Given that I enjoyed my time in this book, perhaps I should expand my reading choices a bit further out.
kelqueen's review
5.0
I truly loved this marvelously written book, The Chilbury Ladies' Choir by Jennifer Ryan. It was so beautifully written. The characters came to life for me with each of their unique and different personalities. Miss Paltry, Kitty, Venetia, Mrs. Tilling, Mrs. B, etc. - how different they could all be. I loved the picture that was painted of all these different women coming together in unity for a purpose, and in this book the ladies' choir. Ryan's descriptions of the feeling that was present with the choir as they sang, made you feel like you were right there with them. I fell in love with Mrs. Tilling, her character of strength and courage is an inspiration to all women.
I highly recommend, this book is forever marked as one of my favorites.
I highly recommend, this book is forever marked as one of my favorites.
brock111's review against another edition
5.0
What fun! I thoroughly enjoyed this book set during the early days
of WWII in Great Britain As the title implies it follows the lives
of the very colorful members of the Chilbury Ladies' Choir. The
story is told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper accounts.
I would definitely love to read more about these women.
of WWII in Great Britain As the title implies it follows the lives
of the very colorful members of the Chilbury Ladies' Choir. The
story is told through letters, diary entries, and newspaper accounts.
I would definitely love to read more about these women.
nlfrey's review against another edition
4.0
This book was recommended as a good read for those who enjoyed "The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society."
And while not quite the same level as that particular masterpiece, I think that's a solid recommendation, and I enjoyed this book very much.
Set in Chilbury, England during WWII, it's written in the form of letters and journals and follows the lives of several of the ladies of Chilbury over the course of about 6 months in 1940.
Just how much drama can be packed into that 6 months? Quite a lot, I assure you. Read it and find out for yourself!
And while not quite the same level as that particular masterpiece, I think that's a solid recommendation, and I enjoyed this book very much.
Set in Chilbury, England during WWII, it's written in the form of letters and journals and follows the lives of several of the ladies of Chilbury over the course of about 6 months in 1940.
Just how much drama can be packed into that 6 months? Quite a lot, I assure you. Read it and find out for yourself!
jmatkinson1's review against another edition
4.0
1940 and the small village of Chilbury in Kent is feeling the effects of the war. One local man has already been killed and many residents are working at the military base at Litchfield. At the Manor the Brigadier is desperate that his wife gives birth to a son and heir after his only son's death, he enlisted local midwife Mrs Paltry to ensure that this happens. His eldest daughter Venetia has fallen for an artist with secrets and his youngest is pining for a man in love with her sister. Czech refugee Silvie knows nothing of the fate of her family and nurse Mrs Tilling is suspicious of Mrs Paltry but has her own issues to deal with, notably the billeting of an army officer in her son's bedroom. Amongst all of this the church choir tries to continue with only female members.
Ostensibly this book is based on the memoirs of the author's grandmother and other women on the home front which makes the sometimes silly plot twists actually feel more realistic. At it's core this is a heart-warming book about survival and community. Yes, it is frothy in the main and is a simple, non-challenging read but it is also very readable. I do think there are way too many plot lines crammed into a short novel but I do like Ryan effervescent writing style and I think this book will develop a wide readership.
Ostensibly this book is based on the memoirs of the author's grandmother and other women on the home front which makes the sometimes silly plot twists actually feel more realistic. At it's core this is a heart-warming book about survival and community. Yes, it is frothy in the main and is a simple, non-challenging read but it is also very readable. I do think there are way too many plot lines crammed into a short novel but I do like Ryan effervescent writing style and I think this book will develop a wide readership.
maryeverettb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
elisergray's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! It reminded me of the same whimsy-with-serious-undertones that I experienced with The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. So much fun to read.
bee_happy's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
aubriewp's review against another edition
1.0
The more I think about this book the more annoyed I get. I was not impressed in the beginning, but kept reading because so many people had recommended it. It had some potential with interesting characters, setting, format and plot... but it’s almost like the author got tired of writing and just ended the book.