The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan

Amy  

historical fiction

The Chilbury Ladies Choir by Jennifer Ryan is a charming story set in the early period of WWII England.  It's unusual in that it is set in wartime yet has a generally positive mood.  Chilbury, which isn’t a city in the real world, seems to have been spared the worst of the war during the six months of 1940 in which this novel takes place.  The city and its inhabitants are definitely not unscathed, but the viewpoints of the five or six ladies from whom the story is told are generally upbeat, forward-looking, and hopeful.  I would say they are sometimes also naïve and in denial.  But they do seem to appreciate their precarious position and reality.

The novel is very reminiscent of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society which is also set in England at the time of the War and told via letters from various characters.  Chilbury’s story is told via a combination of letters, diary entries, and public notices.  I thought it was well done and engaging.  The characters were wonderful.  And I particularly love the way the choir participation filled the women’s hearts with hope, love, and dreams.  The choir brought them together with a common goal and a new family and gave them a way to express their grief and sorrow.  As a chorus member myself, I know the importance, joy, and fulfillment of being part of a chorus. So, this aspect of the story really spoke to me.  I enjoyed the author’s language about the music.