The Choir

By: Joanna Trollope

Narrated by: Wanda McCaddon

In the gentle world of one of England’s beautiful old cathedral towns, crisis looms: Funds are short, and the cathedral is in need of major repair. One faction of the community argues that the obvious solution is to abolish the expensive, and nowadays rather irrelevant, boys’ choir. But of course, there are those who disagree: the choir school’s headmaster, a conscientious scholar somewhat out of his depth with his elusive, poetical wife; the cathedral organist and choirmaster, brilliant, wayward, and in love with the lead chorister’s married mother; the former lead chorister, now twenty-three and directionless, who haunts his old school looking for a sense of purpose; and the gentle, left-wing bishop, trying to soothe the angry protagonists. Their stories are marvelously woven into this enchanting story of modern life in old-world England.

©1988 Joanna Trollope (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

"A modern Barchester Chronicle." ( Sunday Telegraph)

"[Trollope is] one of the most interesting writers to have emerged in the past few years." ( Daily Mail)

"As in the music that pervades the plot of Trollope’s absorbing novel, contrapuntal technique results in a brilliant composition.… Sacred music, the perfect treble of pre-pubescent boys and delicious deadpan understatement create a uniquely rich soundtrack on the pages of this beautifully crafted tale." ( Publishers Weekly)

Good cozy story, excellent reader

If you like Miss Read and Jane Austen books you may enjoy this! Good writing, excellent reader. Set in the 1980s but topic is the timelessness of the people and place of a classic English choir and cathedral.

Wonderful combination of music architecture and English culture in the 80s.

As an architect I could picture the English cathedral and the bishops palace where most of the story takes place. I am also a choral singer and familiar with the English body of choral music that Johanna trollop writes about in her wonderful novel.

A Favoirite

This is a book for.when life*a resources are low and being.lost in a good novell is.the best idea ever. Read it and be soothed while being delightt.

Slow start but excellent characters

Very well written story of A small community in conflict. The reader is excellent, and easily and habits all the characters, even the 10 year old.

Enjoyed

Loved this book but had a hard time keeping the characters straight. I dont know if i was just tired or if there wasnt enough of a difference in the narration or the way it was written. Curious if anyone experienced this…

A Solid Story of Village Life - 4.5 Stars

A Solid Story of Village Life

Our lens here is through the workings of a cathedral choir and clergy, but it is not about religion per se - it is simply a focusing device that allows us access to a part of village life not ordinarily viewed. It is a comfortable, pedestrian rom-com.

Wanda McCaddon does an excellent job of narrating.

Quirky little story

This little book is filled with unique characters and musicians all at odds and seeking resolutions. The reader is very good, but she makes inexplicable dramatic pauses that are quite jarring. Turning a page? Dozing off? Drinking water? Reasons for these dead stops are unknown, but they do not propel the story forward.

Charlotte

I love this story. Beautifully narrated. The social dynamics are very much from the 80’s, but the characters are contradictory and delightful, and the two main characters- which are the choral music and the Cathedral itself- defy any particular era.

Engaging and absorbing story full of richly-drawn characters

A glimpse into the lives of the people surrounding an English Cathedral boys' choir, full of unexpected intrigue and characters working at once for the benefit of cathedral and town, but also driven by their own less noble needs and satisfaction.
Superb narration.

Big Disappointment.

Boring. Tedious. I thought it would never end. Should have returned it, but I kept thinking it would improve. It didn't.