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The Choir
In the gentle precinct of Aldminster Cathedral, crisis loomed.The urbane and worldly Dean (Purdey guns and the regular arrival of a delivery van from Berry Brothers) wanted nothing so much as to restore and beautify his beloved Cathedral--even if it meant sacrificing the Choir School to pay for it.Alexander Troy, Headmaster of the school, a conscientious man, somewhat out...more
ebook, 320 pages
Published
May 25th 2011
by Random House
(first published 1988)
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The novel was thoroughly readable but for me somehow never quite escaped an aura of soap opera about it and certainly a fair dollop of sentimentality and old lace. I also felt that it was written rather too obviously in the shadow of the author's grandfather and the Barchester Chronicles; but arguably that is like criticising the leopard for his spots. The tale and the way it is told a polite and quietly asserted encomium for a more polite and more traditional society, for a certain Englishness,...more
This was the book that got me started on my Joanna Trollope kick this summer! I just loved this novel! Admittedly, I had seen the BBC TV production of the movie "The Choir" made from this book some years ago, which captured my attention. But I hadn't known the author at that time. Looking for the dvd brought me to an author I am so delighted to be getting to know. The book is a tightly-knit drama that admittedly might only appeal to a) someone English b) someone with familiarity with church choi...more
I had no idea what this book would be like when i started it, and i have to admit the more I got into it, the more I really enjoyed it. The author does a nice job of bringing her characters to life - there were quite a few characters to keep track of, but somehow she managed to weave them all in, and give just enough information that you felt you understood each character without making this a 1000 page novel. It took me a few chapters to get into it, but after about the 4th or 5th chapter I oft...more
A friend recommended Trollope's novels to me, and I happened to have this one on hand. I enjoyed the details of how an English cathedral works, and once the plot got going, it did carry me away. The palette of characters was also interesting, and I enjoyed the humor. However, the plot took way to long to get any momentum and the constant shifts in point of view in the first third or so of the book, where it wasn't at all clear where the dramatic tension would come from, were annoying. Once the p...more
This book immerses the reader in the world of an English cathedral town. The plot swings between the intertwining roles and political tensions of cathedral, school and choir, and those of the town. I generally enjoy Joanna Trollope's novels very much. Though this one is excellent, and was made into a great Masterpiece series, I found myself a little irritated by the need to keep careful track of each character, to avoid getting lost in the ramifications of the relationships.
This may be one where I liked the film better than the book. Or maybe it's because I saw the Masterpiece Theatre production first. In any case, it was a good reminder of how politics and personalities can get in the way of worship, whether in a cathedral setting or a small-town church.
Yes, she's good, and yes, I read her, but there always seems to be an underlying anger and depression buried in her books. I cannot find any one quote that pinpoints it, it's more like a mist - I feel that the bloom has gone from the world for a while after reading her books.
I would call Joanna Trollope an English Maeve Binchey. This is an entertaining read about the political machinations and romantic entanglements of a small cathedral town. At the end, miraculously, everybody's problems are solved.
Takes place in small town in England. Story centers around a boy singing in a choir -- The Dean can think only of preserving the cathedral and gets rid of the choir -- Boy's mother falls in love with organist
only read half. Puzzling as Carol and I usually like the same books. Couldn't like anyone. I suspect someone who's involved with church choirs might like it more.
I think I've read everything by Joanna Trollope and this first book she wrote under this pen name is excellent. She has a sure hand with people and relationships.
I loved this book. I recommend it highly to anyone interested in the Church of England, music, choirs and human relationships. Gracefully written, funny and interesting.
One of Trollope's earlier novels, but a good story with human, believable characters. I always love the very realistic dialogue in her books; her characters think and talk like real people.
Not my favorite Trollope book. Kind of an anticlimactic ending. I wish I could have heard the boys' choir and Henry singing through the pages of the book!
I've read more books in the past couple years of English writers and I must say I'm happy to be a reader. 'The Choir' was an interesting story and kept me on my toes to follow through with each character and the many plot lines.
Apr 09, 2013
K.B. Walker
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
60-book-challenge,
relationship
In and amongst reading the crime I enjoy, it's lovely to read Joanna Trollope's gentle and oh-so-observant novels about human relationships.
Joanna Trollope is one of my favourite authors and I think this one her best. Keenly observed novel about life in an English cathedral town.
Her writing is timeless, very British and totally delightful to read. Her characters and detail provided make the book sing.
I first saw this as a TV production, and recently came across the book. A really diverse range of characters and a good read.
Very enjoyable story depicting life in an English cathedral town. Well-drawn realistic characters.
all trollope books are so easy to read, the pages just whizz by, not fantastic reading, but read a while ago so cant remember the plots, couldnt have been that impressive
Too many characters, perhaps, and not enough plot, but gods, so well written.
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/5...
Church politics and personal politics become very mixed. I first saw the Masterpiece Theatre adaption and then found the book, my introduction to Joanna Trollope. I was a little bit hampered by my complete lack of knowledge of Church of England life but Trollope clearly knows it inside out. The characters are all interesting and the story is complex and very real. Some of Trollope's other novels suffer from strangely moralistic endings but this one doesn't...more
Church politics and personal politics become very mixed. I first saw the Masterpiece Theatre adaption and then found the book, my introduction to Joanna Trollope. I was a little bit hampered by my complete lack of knowledge of Church of England life but Trollope clearly knows it inside out. The characters are all interesting and the story is complex and very real. Some of Trollope's other novels suffer from strangely moralistic endings but this one doesn't...more
Awfully British. A good read if you can deal with the emotional tone; a bit dry. I have read other books by Joanna Trollope and will look for more.
An English novel with many interesting characters--too many, probably, to be really effective. The story is about a battle to save a cathedral choir, and deals superficially with the role of music in the church.
Yes, it's worthwhile for middle aged ladies like me (-:
Disappointing. Not up to Ms Trollope's usual standard.
A good read
Mmmm! Not my cup of tea.
Loved this book! Love the way Trollope writes the interactions of daily life.
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Joanna Trollope Potter Curteis (aka Caroline Harvey)
Joanna Trollope was born on 9 December 1943 in her grandfather's rectory in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England, daughter of Rosemary Hodson and Arthur George Cecil Trollope. She is the eldest of three siblings. She is a fifth-generation niece of the Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope and is a cousin of the writer and broadcaster James Trol...more
More about Joanna Trollope...
Joanna Trollope was born on 9 December 1943 in her grandfather's rectory in Minchinhampton, Gloucestershire, England, daughter of Rosemary Hodson and Arthur George Cecil Trollope. She is the eldest of three siblings. She is a fifth-generation niece of the Victorian novelist Anthony Trollope and is a cousin of the writer and broadcaster James Trol...more
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May 02, 2011 01:14pm