The Chilbury Ladies' Choir Audiobook By Jennifer Ryan cover art

The Chilbury Ladies' Choir

A Novel

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The Chilbury Ladies' Choir

By: Jennifer Ryan
Narrated by: Gabrielle Glaister, Laura Kirman, Imogen Wilde, Adjoa Andoh, Tom Clegg, Mike Grady
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About this listen

"Just because the men have gone to war, why do we have to close the choir? And precisely when we need it most!"

As England enters World War II's dark early days, spirited music professor Primrose Trent, recently arrived to the village of Chilbury, emboldens the women of the town to defy the Vicar's stuffy edict to shutter the church's choir in the absence of men and instead carry on singing. Resurrecting themselves as The Chilbury Ladies' Choir, the women of this small village soon use their joint song to lift up themselves and the community as the war tears through their lives.

Told through letters and journals, The Chilbury Ladies' Choir moves seamlessly from budding romances to village intrigues to heartbreaking matters of life and death. As we come to know the struggles of the charismatic members of this unforgettable outfit - a timid widow worried over her son at the front, the town beauty drawn to a rakish artist, her younger sister nursing an impossible crush and dabbling in politics she doesn't understand, a young Jewish refugee hiding secrets about her family, and a conniving midwife plotting to outrun her seedy past - we come to see how the strength each finds in the choir's collective voice reverberates in her individual life. In turns funny, charming and heart-wrenching, this lovingly executed ensemble novel will charm and inspire, illuminating the true spirit of the women on the home front, in a village of indomitable spirit, at the dawn of a most terrible conflict.

This audiobook includes popular versions of classical music sung by women's choirs, including the songs "Abide with Me" and "All Creatures", "Ave Maria", and "The Lord's My Shepherd".

©2017 Jennifer Ryan (P)2017 Random House Audio
Epistolary Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Fiction Women's Fiction Village War Heartfelt Feel-Good

Critic reviews

"There's so much happening in Chilbury: intrigue, romance and an unforgettable cast of characters who aren't always as they appear. The Chilbury Ladies' Choir is a charming slice of English wartime life that warms the soul like a hot toddy." (Martha Hall Kelly, New York Times best-selling author of Lilac Girls)
"Lyrical, poetic, emotional, funny, endearing, surprising - it is a masterpiece." (Veronica Henry, author of An Eligible Bachelor)
" The Chilbury Ladies' Choir sinks you deep inside the rich, intricate atmosphere of an English village in the middle of war, when quiet lives are upended and secrets unravel. With her unforgettable characters and vivid narrative, Jennifer Ryan creates the kind of wartime novel that plays out over the intimate territory of the human heart - full of soul, full of hope. You'll be thinking about this book long after the last page turns." (Beatriz Williams, New York Times best-selling author of A Hundred Summers and The Secret Life of Violet Grant)

What listeners say about The Chilbury Ladies' Choir

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I loved it!

What a refreshing story read by perfect voices! In these dismal days with uncertainty everywhere, it was a pleasure to spend a while in the little village of Chilbury during World War II. I think the audio perfectly fit this novel. Highly recommend it!

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12 people found this helpful

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Chilbury's Ladies' Choir: A Novel

I read this book first on my Kindle and I thoroughly enjoyed it. A friend of mine suggested that I listen to it on Audible. It was absolutely fantastic. All the different voices made the story come alive!! I definitely recommend listening to the Audible version.

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3 people found this helpful

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Sooooo Good!

This is one of the best books I've listened to in a long while! The performances by all the readers was exceptional. The story manages to incorporate humor, sadness, joy, loss, and love during the most difficult time in American history, WW11. I don't know why I didn't listen sooner. I fell in love with each character over a period of time. This was a light hearted, warm listen that made me want to put the kettle on and just enjoy.

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1 person found this helpful

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Delightful

Several great narrators and a good story about a resilient and strong force of women in a dreadful time.

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Ah England

Something for everyone in this novel...romance, war, spies, villages, England, music, England. A bit sappy at times but just the thing for a walk on a Spring day.

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Wonderful!

Liked the simple beauty of a woman developing her own unique authority over her life, quietly coming to trust the power within. I enjoyed the transformation of a terrified heart into a beautiful sun shining light to those around her.

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I loved this!

Such a great little story, wonderfully performed! I thoroughly enjoyed it! Highly recommend if you're looking for a lighthearted tale.

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Glad I listened

The narration really makes this book. Edwina Paltry’s narrator is wonderful and Kitty’s is very good too. The story was rather shallow. Where did Prim come from and what was her motivation? If Angela loves Henry, what was her advice to Venetia? Kitty was at once 8 years old and 23, but never 13. Mrs Tillings arc was ok but left much unexplained. Venitia and Sylvie had good stories. Narration is what got me to read to the end

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Get ready to be entertained

One of the best books I have listened to on Audible. The readers fit perfectly into the characters, performance was excellent! I found myself laughing out loud many times. I really enjoyed this book. Stars all across the board.

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Excellent performance of an interesting story

I enjoyed listening to the different narrators. I especially liked the unexpected musical performances. The story was interesting, and I like the way it unfolded.

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