SOURCE: Fitton, Toby. “A Zeal for the Fabric.” Times Literary Supplement, no. 4445 (10 June 1988): 643.

In the following review, Fitton asserts that, despite its intricate plot structure, the conclusion of The Choir leaves too many unresolved character issues.

The publishers make more than the author does of The Choir as a cathedral-city story by a descendant of Anthony Trollope; but the Barchester parallels are fortunately not laboured in this well-plotted novel by his kinswoman. Like Barchester, “Aldminster” (a fictional Gloucester) is a densely populated, closed community in which news spreads fast and ill-temper is infectious, but the overall tone is secular and the cathedral and its choir are seen as cultural and recreational facilities rather than God-serving foundations. The Almighty nowadays doesn't get much of a look in.

As a nice consensus man the present diocesan has some echoes of Bishop Proudie. He prefers to reserve judgment and leave matters...