The Chimes

The Chimes cover
Good Books rating 4.33

Technical:
  • ID: 1484
  • Added: 2025-10-06
  • Updated: 2025-10-08
  • ISBN: 9781444794519
  • Publisher: Hachette UK
  • Published: 2015-02-12
  • Formats: 9
  • Reviews: 4
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The Chimes is a captivating debut novel that blends memory, music, and imagination to create a unique and immersive world. The story follows Simon, a boy who wakes up each day with no memories beyond what he can hold in his hands. In this world, written words are forbidden, and life is orchestrated by a vast musical instrument that renders people unable to form new memories. Simon sets out for London, drawn by a melody that he believes holds the key to his past. Along the way, he meets Lucien, who has a gift for hearing and a theory about the danger lurking in Simon's past. Together, they navigate a world where the past is a mystery and each new day feels the same as the last. The Chimes is a stunning exploration of memory, love, and freedom, set against a backdrop of musical enchantment and danger.

Reviews
Fantasy Book Review · 2025-10-07
dreamlike 4.80

The book is noted for its short, immediate sentences and dreamlike rhythm. The reviewer appreciates the strange, unsettling atmosphere created by the unique writing style.

The reviewer appreciates the book's use of short, immediate sentences that create a strange and unsettling rhythm. This style contributes to a dreamlike quality that pervades the entire book. The reviewer finds this approach to be particularly effective in creating a unique and engaging reading experience. The atmosphere and structure of the narrative are highlighted as key strengths.


Quick quotes

    Smaill writes in short, immediate sentences, but with a strange unsettling rhythm.

    A knack for melody and structure that makes the whole book have a dreamlike quality.

    The whole book has a dreamlike, almost hypnotic quality.

The Idle Woman · 2016-07-15
engaging 4.00

The book is very good and captivating, surpassing initial expectations with its unique and immersive story. It draws readers in and keeps them engaged throughout.

The reviewer found this book to be exceptionally good, far exceeding their initial expectations. The story is unusual and immersive, pulling readers in and keeping them engaged from start to finish. The language and style are particularly noteworthy, making the reading experience both enjoyable and thought-provoking. They highlight how the book's unique approach to storytelling sets it apart from others in the genre.


Quick quotes

    This book is good. Very good.

    It catches you and drags you down into it.

    Better than you might imagine when you begin reading it.

Rather Too Fond of Books · 2016-01-26
original 4.50

The book is a mind-expanding, original work with beautiful prose and incredible imagination. It stands out as a stunning debut.

The reviewer was highly impressed by the book's originality and imaginative prose. They describe it as a mind-expanding work that combines beautiful, inventive language with a unique and captivating story. The reviewer praises the author's ability to create a world that is both intriguing and thought-provoking, making it a standout debut. They appreciate the depth and creativity that went into crafting this novel.


Quick quotes

    The Chimes is a mind-expanding, startlingly original work

    Combines beautiful, inventive prose with incredible imagination

    A stunning debut

The Guardian · 2015-03-14
intriguing 4.00

The book is noted for its fresh and complex exploration of a dystopian society. The reviewer emphasizes the social importance of understanding the past.

The reviewer finds the book to be a fresh and complex exploration of a dystopian society. They appreciate the author's ability to delve into the social importance of understanding the past. The reviewer highlights the book's originality and the depth of its themes, making it a thought-provoking read. They also note that the book's exploration of memory and identity is particularly compelling.


Quick quotes

    A totalitarian regime inflicts amnesia through music in this fresh and complex novel.

    Shows the social importance of an understanding of the past.

    A fresh and complex novel.