This book is not really a story, although there are many stories within it. It is more a cacophony of voices, the choir of the title, all clamouring for attention in a post 9/11 world. Stories overlay stories and voices overlay voices, never pausing for breath, and through it all Augustino keeps on writing. I found the book hard to get into, but it is worth persevering. The language is as beautiful as the subject matter is disturbing.