Books
Kids
Popular
Authors & Events
Recommendations
Audio
Look Inside | Reading Guide
Reading Guide
Sep 05, 2017 | ISBN 9781101906774 Buy
Feb 14, 2017 | ISBN 9781101906767 Buy
Feb 21, 2017 | 694 Minutes Buy
Buy from Other Retailers:
Sep 05, 2017 | ISBN 9781101906774
Feb 14, 2017 | ISBN 9781101906767
Feb 21, 2017 | ISBN 9781524721350
694 Minutes
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.
“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 homefront, 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 Cast of Narrators:Gabrielle GlaisterLaura KirmanImogen WildeAdjoa AndohTom CleggMike Grady
Jennifer Ryan is the author of The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir, The Spies of Shilling Lane, and The Kitchen Front. She was previously a nonfiction book editor. Originally from Kent and then London, she lives in the Washington, D.C., area with her… More about Jennifer Ryan
“A delightful debut.”— People“This well-written and absorbing tale will stay with the reader for a long time to come.”— Bookreporter“Compelling and exquisitely wrought.”— Bookpage“These strong, unforgettable characters will keep you reading late into the night. I could not put this wonderful book down.”— The Missourian“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 bestselling 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 bestselling author of A Hundred Summers and The Secret Life of Violet Grant“World War II in an English village seen through the eyes of the most delicious cast of characters you’ll ever meet—The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir is a masterpiece of secrets, misdirection, village gossip, and gleeful disregard for anything but the main chance, as the Home Front learns to carry on. Seldom do you find a writer with such a deft touch—Jennifer Ryan sweeps the reader along to the very last page in a remarkable debut. “— Charles Todd, New York Times bestselling author of the Inspector Ian Rutledge series
Visit other sites in the Penguin Random House Network
Stay in Touch
By clicking Sign Up, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Start earning points for buying books! Just for joining you’ll get personalized recommendations on your dashboard daily and features only for members.
