The Chilbury Ladies' Choir

Author: Jennifer Ryan
Genre: Historical Fiction
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group, 2017
Pages: 432 (11.5 hours)
Rating: Recommend

Synopsis: As England becomes enmeshed in the early days of World War II and the men are away fighting, the women of Chilbury village forge and 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.

Review: I ran into the library at closing time desperate to choose an audiobook for a two-hour drive to Erie. I grabbed this off the shelf because I had heard good things about it. When I started listening, I thought maybe it was a mistake and I would have enjoyed the print book better, but I gave it a chance and fell in love with it. I loved that music is included at various points to enhance the story.

The author grew up listening to her grandmother's stories about World War II, and pursued a degree in writing to share them. I am so grateful she did.