Title: The Chilbury Ladies' Choir
Genre: Historical fiction
Publication Date: February 14, 2017
Number of Pages: 371
Geographical Setting: Chilbury, a small village in England
Time Period: World War II, 1940
Plot Summary:
This is a story that takes place on the home front of Chilbury, England, during World War II. Most of the men in the village have already left for the war. The story begins with a funeral service for one of the community members killed in the war. The choir will sing at the funeral for the last time until after the war since there are no longer any men to sing in it. Prim, a new resident to the village, is a music professor. She leads the women in the community to band together and form a ladies' choir. Some people in the community think this is a horrible idea since there has never been a ladies-only choir; prior to this there had only been a mens' choir or a combined choir of men and women. It is unthinkable to have a ladies' choir. Prim, along with some of the other women think a choir would be a great way to boost morale and support the community in a time when the village fears being taken over by Germany. The women in the choir are impacted by the choir experience and the events going on in their lives along with the surrounding worries of the war that is growing closer to them. Prim helps the women in the choir find the music in their lives, "Music takes us out of ourselves, away from our worries and tragedies, helps us look into a different world, a bigger picture. All those cadences and beautiful chord changes, every one of them makes you feel a different splendor of life" (p. 104).
The story is told in the form of journals and letters, primarily by five of the women in the choir whom vary in age and perspective. The five women each share their experiences of the war in different ways:
This is a story that takes place on the home front of Chilbury, England, during World War II. Most of the men in the village have already left for the war. The story begins with a funeral service for one of the community members killed in the war. The choir will sing at the funeral for the last time until after the war since there are no longer any men to sing in it. Prim, a new resident to the village, is a music professor. She leads the women in the community to band together and form a ladies' choir. Some people in the community think this is a horrible idea since there has never been a ladies-only choir; prior to this there had only been a mens' choir or a combined choir of men and women. It is unthinkable to have a ladies' choir. Prim, along with some of the other women think a choir would be a great way to boost morale and support the community in a time when the village fears being taken over by Germany. The women in the choir are impacted by the choir experience and the events going on in their lives along with the surrounding worries of the war that is growing closer to them. Prim helps the women in the choir find the music in their lives, "Music takes us out of ourselves, away from our worries and tragedies, helps us look into a different world, a bigger picture. All those cadences and beautiful chord changes, every one of them makes you feel a different splendor of life" (p. 104).
The story is told in the form of journals and letters, primarily by five of the women in the choir whom vary in age and perspective. The five women each share their experiences of the war in different ways:
- Mrs. Tilling is a widow whose only son has left for the war. She is a nurse and many people seem to seek out her counsel.
- Miss Venetia Winthrop is eighteen, the daughter of the Brigadier who has her attention set on the very handsome and mysterious new artist in the village.
- Miss Kitty Winthrop is thirteen and lives in her sister Venetia's shadow, but still has great determination. She has an improbable crush on a young man.
- Silvie, a Jewish refugee is sent to live with the Winthrop family when Germany invades Czechoslovakia. She is troubled and keeps a secret from what she has seen.
- Ms. Edwina Palty, the village midwife, is hired by the Brigadier for an unscrupulous scheme.
These women learn to find their voice not only in the choir, but in a society lead and controlled by men during the difficult time of war.
Subject Headings:
Choirs (Music) - England - Fiction
Women - England - Fiction
World War, 1939 -1945 - England - Fiction
Historical Fiction
Appeal:
Women - England - Fiction
World War, 1939 -1945 - England - Fiction
Historical Fiction
Appeal:
- Story is framed by historical facts of what is happening in Europe: invasions, bombings, Jewish extermination.
- Written in epistolary form by using letters, journals and diary entries by different characters.
- Storyline is focused on a small village outside of London during World War II.
- Story teaches about the lives of everyday people, mainly the women who remain on the home front during World War II. It includes descriptions of the loss of life because of German air raids of area villages including Chilbury.
- Leisurely paced.
- Characters evolve and fit the time period as they try to find their voice.
3 terms that best describe this book: engaging, bittersweet, empowering
3 Relevant Non-Fiction Works and Authors:
Hiding Edith: A True Story by Kathy Kacer
The true story of a young Jewish girl, Edith Schwalb, who was sent to live in a safe place during the invasion of France by Nazi Germany.
-This is similar to the character of Silvie, a Jewish girl from Czechoslovakia who was sent to Chilbury by her parents to stay with the Winthrop family after the German invasion of her home county.
The Taste of War: World War Two and the Battle for Food by E.M. Collingham
An examination of the way food was used at the battle front and controlled on the home front. It also looks at the way food was used both by the Axis and Allied powers.
-Food and the rationing of food and other supplies was mentioned a number of times in The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.
Don't You Know There's a War On? Voices from the Home Front by Jonathan Croall
The personal stories of 35 people throughout Britain during World War II.
-Resembles some of the characteristics of the citizens in the village of Chilbury.
3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:
Hiding Edith: A True Story by Kathy Kacer
The true story of a young Jewish girl, Edith Schwalb, who was sent to live in a safe place during the invasion of France by Nazi Germany.
-This is similar to the character of Silvie, a Jewish girl from Czechoslovakia who was sent to Chilbury by her parents to stay with the Winthrop family after the German invasion of her home county.
The Taste of War: World War Two and the Battle for Food by E.M. Collingham
An examination of the way food was used at the battle front and controlled on the home front. It also looks at the way food was used both by the Axis and Allied powers.
-Food and the rationing of food and other supplies was mentioned a number of times in The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.
Don't You Know There's a War On? Voices from the Home Front by Jonathan Croall
The personal stories of 35 people throughout Britain during World War II.
-Resembles some of the characteristics of the citizens in the village of Chilbury.
3 Relevant Fiction Works and Authors:
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows
Juliet Ashton, a writer from London looks for the subject of her next book when she discovers the island of Guernsey. Through correspondence with one of the island residents, she learns about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which was an alibi to cover up why the members were breaking curfew during German occupation.
-Written in epistolary form like The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Taking place in 1940, this is the story of how two women deliver news, one by mail and one by broadcast. It discusses how lives are touched and changed by the events of the war.
-Relates to how the people in Chilbury village were impacted by how close the war was to them.
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
Follow the story of three women and one man as they cross paths in 1940's London during times of air raids, blacked-out streets and illicit partying.
-Historical fiction novel that takes place in London in the 1940's.
Juliet Ashton, a writer from London looks for the subject of her next book when she discovers the island of Guernsey. Through correspondence with one of the island residents, she learns about the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, which was an alibi to cover up why the members were breaking curfew during German occupation.
-Written in epistolary form like The Chilbury Ladies' Choir.
The Postmistress by Sarah Blake
Taking place in 1940, this is the story of how two women deliver news, one by mail and one by broadcast. It discusses how lives are touched and changed by the events of the war.
-Relates to how the people in Chilbury village were impacted by how close the war was to them.
The Night Watch by Sarah Waters
Follow the story of three women and one man as they cross paths in 1940's London during times of air raids, blacked-out streets and illicit partying.
-Historical fiction novel that takes place in London in the 1940's.
This book looks very interesting; I can't believe I have never heard of it. I like that it includes five voices and that they are all so different. It must have given a lot of perspectives of the war.
ReplyDeleteGreat annotation, a lot of useful information about the book and other's like it. The style of the book is interesting and seems like this type of book could be a good bridge into non-fiction historical texts for people who are maybe "put off" by the words non-fiction.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated this annotation of a historical fiction that seems like it could really suit the interests of a lot of different readers-- falling somewhere in the intersection between "women's lives and relationships," "gentle read" and historical fiction generally. Again, I really appreciate your inclusion of both fiction and non-fiction readalikes. Great idea!
ReplyDeleteFantastic annotation! I've seen this book, but never actually read a synopsis. Your summary makes it sound mega appealing, you did a great job describing it without providing too much detail. Now I'm intrigued. Full points!
ReplyDelete