5 comments about Whitethorn Woods.

1. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, however each was presented in his/her own vignette, so it read like a collection of short stories, with the cool twist that each story/character was intertwined with the others. Maeve Binchy has a special talent for weaving a tale this way. There were characters I couldn't help but love, others that I sympathized with, and others that I loved to hate. There were a few stories (like the stolen baby one) that I would have liked to end differently, but all-in-all, this book provided highly interesting and enjoyable reading!!!



2. I love Maeve Binchy's books, but this one did not compare to the likes of Tara Road. I usually cannot put down her books, reading them faster than I want, and then always ending up disappointed that they are over. It is because you get so involved with the characters and their lives, that you feel like they are old friends. This book I gave 3 stars to because I love Binchy's writings, but not because the story held my attention. I agree with some others, I almost had to force myself to read it, was never that interested, and when it was over I said to myself "That's it?". A bit of a disappointment, but I still think she is a great author.



3. This was a pleasant surprise. Not a novel, but a series of short stories about people in the same town, often telling the same story from different viewpoints. Not a soap opera, but ordinary people doing good and evil, and sometimes doing great things. All of it is believable.



4. I really enjoyed this novel, which in Binchy's signature style is actually a series of short stories linked together by common characters and settings.



5. this book is awful. can i please get the hours back. do not waste two pennies on this book.

5 comments about The Return Journey.

1. Although this is a 1990 copyright and some references may be slightly dated, the story is charming with Binchy's usual interwoven characters and cultural insights, surprising twists and satisfying relationships.



2. After reading this book, I will be honest and say that Maeve needs to stick with her novels, not her short stories. This collection of short stories are better than the last two collection that I've read, but they're not as deeply satisfying as the novels are. Her novels are out of this world and she should stick with them ... they take you literally away into another world and you become involved with the characters' lives, thoughts and emotions.
   
   Her short stories are too short to give the reader (namely me) any kind of thought and satisfication of a story well-told. Maybe that is because I have read her novels and know what she is capable of writing and when I come across her short stories, I want more of her writing, not less.
   
   But this collection is sweet, a fast read and I do have a couple of favorites in here that I found really amusing or sweet. They are "The Women in Hats," where looks are deceiving and people are still judgemental for the wrong reasons; "Miss Vogel's Vacation" where people are never too old to find happiness in their lives. My other favorite is "Cross Lines" where again, looks are deceiving and an accidental encounter on an airplane ride might lead to a wonderful future together. The other stories dealt with divorce, loneliness and other issues, which she has written much better about in her novels.
   
   If you are a Maeve Binchy fan, you might like this collection of short stories, but again, I recommend that one stick with her novels. The only reason why I picked this one up was because I didn't look closely enough to realize it as a short stories collection.
   
   8/3/08



3. The Return Journey. Maeve Binchy never disappoints. She is a fascinating author and I particularly like her slow pace and incredile descriptions.
   mary pichette



4. LOVE Maeve Binchy, anything she writes is awsome. She should take each one of these little "snippets" and make a full-length book on them. I couldn't put this one down, but I longed for a full-length novel so I could know the characters better.



5. I actually have never read any of Maeve Binchy's books, though I see them all the time and think about picking one up, I never have. While I often find collections of short stories to be very hit or miss, I thought this would be a good way for me to familiarize myself with Binchy and decide if I wanted to pick up one of her novels.
   
   In the end, I can't say I was too impressed, and I guess it goes back to why short stories are very hit or miss for me. I just don't feel that 15 to 20 pages allows an author to really develop characters (or stories) you care about, and this book was no exception to that. Sure, there were one or two stories that were heartwarming, but most of them left me feeling hung out to dry--there just seemed to be something missing. In fact, it's only been a couple of days since I read this, and I can barely remember what any of the stories were about--they were entirely forgettable, for the most part. What I will say is that the writing is very well done and I think I might enjoy reading one of her novels. I guess it could be considered a good escapist read, and it allows you to read a little bit and put the book down if you need to be doing something else, but it's not a book I would feel the desire to re-read.

5 comments about Quentins.

1. This is easily Binchy's best book. The characters are brilliantly developed, and the prose is hypnotic. Mrs. Binchy is a very charismatic writer. I couldn't put it down!



2. This is a great book it is adicting the ending was great it makes the reader want more I wish there was a sequal. I was happy to find out thatcathy and tom had a baby boy and. I'm interested in knowing if Ella and Derry Kig will have a future relationship together.Over all it was a great book oh another thing for people who liked this book you should buy all the books from this author. Finaly you MUST BUY The Reaper ICED OUT skateboard from blind skateboards or you could also just get the gold one. and most importantly VivaLaChimchar RulesBLIND Skateboards REAPER ICED OUT Complete Skateboard



3. Quentins is very well written with well developed characters, some from other books by Binchy. Try it and I'm sure you will like it.Quentins



4. Maeve Binchy brings her collection of characters, many of whom we have seen in other novels to and thru Quentins. This is the story of a marvelous restaurant in Dublin and of the stories that come to life from those who are patrons.
   
   This is a marvelously woven tapestry that shows us the foibles of the human condition. These folks are so human, by the end of this book, you hope that there is a sequel. The kindness and gentleness of some of the characters is contrasted against those who are cunning and cruel. The entire range is in this story.
   
   This is one of the finest Ms. Binchy has done and her writing keeps getting better. We look forward to seeing more of this wonderful woman's tales from the Emerald Isle.



5. I had never read a Maeve Binchy book before Quentins. I picked up a hard cover edition of the book at a library sale for one dollar. I am sorry to say, it was a dollar wasted. The writing is trite and formula driven. I recycled it with the Sunday papers. Big disappointment!

5 comments about Tara Road.

1. I try and read most of the Oprah Book Club picks. This is good fiction and worth reading, but it is not great or one of my favorites. It is enjoyable and definitely a cut above most story lines written to appeal to women. I thought the main character and her life description about living on Tara Road, a shabby turned chic area were very interesting. The wife's mixed emotions about her husband's ambition were great. It also develops the friendship theme and our main character has some true good friends whose characters are also well developed. Definitely worth giving a try.



2. This book was a bit slow to get to the point, however, it was enlightening by the end. Message I received from the read: You can't live your life for your spouse and kids alone. You can't lose sight of yourself. This is so true!!



3. I've never read this author's books before and usually won't even try a book that Oprah has recommended as I'm a total "book snob" and like to depend on ONLY my choices.
   
   Someone I met raved about this so I thought...why not? Time for something different from my real love which are mysteries. Wish I had depended on my first instinct and just not bought it! Glad I only purchased the paperback. I will keep it around and "keep at it" every now and then when I've nothing better to read/do but frankly, I'm bored to death early on.



4. Well, I had this book recommended to me by my best friend. She said that I'm about the 3rd person she's recommended this book too and all the other ladies have said they get something different out of this book that is pertaining to their situations in their lives. So ... I decided to give it a shot.
   
   I got the book promptly. I'm only on chapter two, if you're looking for a quick read this isn't the book. The chapters are very long and kind of choppy but I kind of like it because it's like moving right along .... I'm almost wondering what the author has to write about with the rest of the book since she seems to have written about every character. So ... we will see.
   
   As far as the seller, great communication and service. Keep up the good work!!



5. Tara Road is a must read for women who have faced the challenges of putting others before themself throughout their life. I found myself reflecting back some 40 years of my life and how I had so many things in common with all the women in the book.

No comments about Scarlet Feather.

2 comments about Maeve Binchy Value Collection: The Copper Beach, Circle of Friends, The Glass Lake.

1. Maeve Binchy stories are suited perfectly for audio books. The writing is light, unmatchable, and the plot moves quickly. Very soothing especially when we listen to it on the way to work and back. The voice artist on these stories is superb.



2. I had started to read the book the Glass Lake years ago and working full time and raising a family had no time to finish.
   
   This product helped me finish this book. I listened to it on the way home from work for a couple days and really enjoyed it.
   
   I got the product quickly and it was exactly what I hoped it would be.

5 comments about Firefly Summer (BBC Dramatization).

1. A lovely book with wonderful characters who still live in my mind. One of the better books I have read by this author.



2. Life in the small village of Mountfern takes an unusual turn when a wealthy American wants to return to his Irish roots. When the "American" arrives and decides to invest in the reconstruction of an aging Irish mansion, turning it into an exclusive hotel Mountfern faces changes to it's future. With change comes challenge. Some residents of Mountfern look forward to an age of prosperity, while others fear that the changes will take them away from the very essence of who they are. When tragedy strikes a young wife and mother, the village begins to choose sides, one against the other, tearing at the very fabric of their lives.
   Maeve Binchy creates a beautiful story about life, both the incredible joys and the unimaginable tragedies that can change everything in the blink of an eye.
   The American family, the O'Neills are dealing with loss and the splintering effect that loss has on them. The Ryan's family faces a nearly untenable reality and yet the effort to pull together as a family strengthens them. There are several other characters, all facing developing challenges and each person is a complete and unique individual. You learn about each of them , deal with their thoughts and think you would comprehend their reactions as each situation evolves.
   This is a story of family, friends, hope and despair. It is about the realities that happen in unexpected moments that will forever change the course of many lives and lead you to an understanding of what truly matters most in life.



3. This is a great book. I love Maeve Binchy. Her characters are always so full and I love the way the different characters interact. Her best book, IMO is Scarlet Feather.



4. This is one of her great books. I wish all her works were as good a read!



5. Maeve Binchy is one of the greatest story tellers every born, in my opinion, and she proves it once again with this book. The people she writes about are plain, everyday people...just like me...but she makes their ordinary lives extraordinary. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great story.

5 comments about Nights of Rain and Stars.

1. I have only read a couple of Maeve Binchy's books and while I am sure this is not the best, I did think this was a good book. I loved the Greek setting and I thought it was a good, entertaining summer read. I would recommend it for a beach read.



2. I don't know how she does it, but Maeve Binchy never fails to take everyday people with their joys and sorrows, and create wonderful stories around them. When I finish one of her books, I feel as though I have said goodbye to friends...which is why I reread them every couple of years.
   
   Thanks, Maeve, for the incredible talent you share with the world.



3. I picked this one up while travelling, having read and enjoyed Ms Binchy's earlier novels, as it seemed the perfect holiday read: four people from disparate backgrounds and different countries, each seeking something that their ordinary lives hitherto hadn't given them, thrown together by chance after witnessing a horrific accident on a small Greek island. The four - Thomas, Elsa, David and Fiona - become actively involved in the close knit island community, and with the help of the Wise Irish Expat, find out what's really important.
   
   What's really important, according to this novel, is love and family - and if you were in danger of forgetting that, you are virtually clubbed over the head with The Message in almost every chapter. Unfortunately, the writing is so focused on The Message at the expense of character development and realistic dialogue. Each of the characters appears to be a stereotype, rather than a three-dimensional person; for instance, while we are told frequently how sweet young Irish ingenue Fiona is besotted with her thuggish layabout of a boyfriend Shane, we're not shown why. Shane's characterisation is in fact the most striking example of the problems with character development - he is a one dimensional obnoxious boofhead, with no redeeming features whatsoever. Elsa's apparent reasons for wanting to escape her own persistent suitor don't make much sense. We're told, but not shown, each character's thoughts and emotions, often to an unnecessary and tedious degree, including those of peripheral characters - do we really need to know what the copper at the Athens lockup thinks of Shane and Fiona's relationship? As for Vonni, the Wise Expat - it seems we are supposed to care about her, but I simply found her irritating. The dialogue is stilted and wooden; none of the conversations seem realistic; and it's very difficult to care about or identify with any of the characters. As for the setting, I got no sense of the environment at all. Nor did it ring true that the four travellers would be so deeply affected by the accident, as other reviewers have pointed out - in real life, one would be initially shocked, very sorry for those affected, but would soon move on. The overall impression I received was that this novel was phoned in to meet a deadline.
   
   It's such a shame - none of Binchy's talent at bringing ordinary people to life and creating believable situations is evident here. If you're new to her work, seek out her earlier novels, especially Echoes, Firefly Summer, Circle of Friends etc and skip this one.



4. Am I wrong, or is this the first Binchy that takes place outside Ireland? It doesn't matter, as Binchy writes an exceptional story no matter where it takes place. Have already read this, but purchased it for my sister-in-law, another Binchy fan!



5. This book tells the story of a random group of tourists who witness a tragedy on a small Greek island and are drawn together. While each character has a situation they are escaping from, together, along with the locals and an expatriate woman from Ireland, they each begin to face their issues. While I find this to be a good concept, I had difficulty relating strongly to any of the characters and felt that the story as a whole was somewhat predictable and lacked an ability to draw you into the story. A decent book overall , but nothing I could rave about.

No comments about The Homecoming and Other Stories (BBC Dramatization).

5 comments about Heart and Soul.

1. I loved this book -- became totally absorbed in the stories of the various characters, and fascinated by the way Maeve Binchy managed to weave in bits and pieces and characters from several of her other books. I haven't enjoyed the last two or three of her books as much as I did this one.



2. I have read every book by Maeve Binchy and loved them all. This is another good one, I always look forward to reading her books.



3. some of her books are better than others. i love them all. this was no exception. i love the carry-over of characters. like the twins. love those kids LOL
   
   i eagerly consume every book she puts out. i own them all.
   
   keep writing dear lady!!! please.



4. Maeve Binchy has been my favorite author for years, but this book was not her best work. Basically, it read like someone was trying to write a Maeve Binchy book - use various characters from her previous books, describe at least one character darn near exactly how a completely different character in an earlier book was described, and in between, tell a story. If she insists on dragging everyone from her old books into her new ones, I wish she'd let us know what happened to some of the folks from the really old books - have Michael Ryan and his American wife Grace show up at the heart clinic and tell how they met each other 40 years after they dated as kids, or maybe have Jack from "Circle of Friends" sue them for malpractice or something. Enough with Simon and Maud and Nora and Aidan! And I barely remembered "Nights of Rain and Stars" (it's the only Binchy I haven't read a million times), so revisiting those characters did nothing for me.
   
   I'm hoping Ms. Binchy can get back to the form that made her earlier books (basically everything up to "Quentin's") so enjoyable.



5. I loved this book, and for the most part liked Shelia Birmingham's reading of it. But I was so distressed by the way she read Maud and Simon's part that I wanted to post a protest. She makes them sound like aliens by reading them in a robotic voice. They are supposed to be unusual young people, but basically warm and loving people. She makes a mockery of them--unlike their portrayal in earlier books by other readers. Too bad.