See what real choir singers think of The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir

Sandie Docker’s newest novel, The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir is a powerful book about secrets, community, home and belonging.

Following single mum Hannah, the book charts the course of her life after she ends up widowed and homeless.

Hoping for a new start with her son, she makes her way to Lyrebird Lake. In the town, sisters Eleanor and Maggie have been running a women’s choir for fifteen years. Over time, it’s become a haven for lost and lonely women – and Hannah’s angelic voice might give the choir a winning edge.

As Hannah’s path intertwines with the sisters’, the characters will be forced to reckon with the past and face long-buried trauma to mend old wounds.

Full of heart, hope and love, it’s a novel that sticks with you long after you close the book.

Choir read-along

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Hummingsong Community Choirs (@hummingsongchoirs)

Given the strong choir themes throughout the book, we reached out to a women’s choir and gave a few lucky singers the chance to read early copies of the book.

Twenty singers from Hummingsong women's choir wrote reviews about the book, sharing their favourite characters and opinions on the book.

• ‘I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Lyrebird Lake Ladies Choir. It was much more than I expected, it ticks many genres as far as great reads go. Feel good, romance, mystery, choir communities and then, of course, the very serious subjects of forced adoptions and homelessness which sneak up on you after you’ve connected with all of the characters in the book.’ – Karen
  
  
• ‘I loved the book. My favourite character was Eleanor, her love and care of Maggie, forsaking her dreams, was amazing.’ – Nicole
  
  
• ‘Wow – what a great read! As an "adopted in the 70s" baby and a community choir member this story hit all the emotional chords for me! The storylines blended so beautifully, the visuals the writing created were beautiful, and all the little connections throughout tied it all together.’ – Tania
  
  
• ‘It was a most enjoyable, uplifting and easy read. Sandie presented the different themes of Irish stubborn attitudes (of the day), homelessness, adoption and country community togetherness so well.
  
  
• She wove all the characters together in a believable way. Sandie made Lyrebird Lake an enticing place to live. I’m packing my bags!!!’ – Marijke
  
  
• ‘I loved being transported to Lyrebird Lake; the picture Sandie Docker paints of it along with the feeling of being in a welcoming community choir are amongst reasons I thought I’d enjoy this book and it rang true.
  Contrast that with the lives of two mothers struggling with heartbreak, unknown to one another yet connected in so many ways, and we have the reason I had to keep turning those pages – nature often outweighs nurture and it is tackled beautifully here. 
  I’ve passed my copy onto another chorister after writing my name, month read, choir and choir part in the front. We are going to pass it around and all do the same so we have a record of all who read it. Thought it was fitting somehow.’ – Debbie
  
  
• ‘I connected with the sense of companionship and belonging (coming ‘home’ to your tribe) of the community of Lyrebird Lake choir members. I'm a member of a network of women’s community choirs, and the Lyrebird Lake song choices struck a familiar chord!’ – Noni

Want to read it with your friends? Check out our book club questions to guide your discussions.