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jansbookcorner's review against another edition
3.0
I debated between 3 and 4 stars - so 3 1/2 - leaning a little more toward 3. It is a good character driven story that did have me invested in each person - even the ones I didn't like. As ii is with most of these type stories, it is slow developing and what I refer to as a "quiet" read.
abbywebb's review against another edition
3.0
Only Maeve Binchy's third novel, published way back in 1985. Despite being 25 years old, this novel still held all the charm of a typical book by Binchy. She certainly has a way with words and her ability to develop and intertwine characters never fails to baffle me.
Many characters were introduced in Echoes but by the end of the book, only two could really be considered the main characters. Which begs the question: Why even bother introducing and developing all the others? Either way, it was a cute novel although it lacked the suspenseful plot that you may expect from other authors (e.g., Jodi Picoult) which made it drag on a bit too long. And I can't say that I enjoyed the way it ended. I won't go into further detail so as not to spoil it, but I just expected a bit more. However, seeing as this was only Binchy's third novel (and she now has 16 published, plus short story collections and novellas) I appreciate that she was still trying to figure out her writing style. Binchy's voice still rang throughout the book which shows that she was a good writer from the very beginning (just maybe needed help concocting up some good plots).
Many characters were introduced in Echoes but by the end of the book, only two could really be considered the main characters. Which begs the question: Why even bother introducing and developing all the others? Either way, it was a cute novel although it lacked the suspenseful plot that you may expect from other authors (e.g., Jodi Picoult) which made it drag on a bit too long. And I can't say that I enjoyed the way it ended. I won't go into further detail so as not to spoil it, but I just expected a bit more. However, seeing as this was only Binchy's third novel (and she now has 16 published, plus short story collections and novellas) I appreciate that she was still trying to figure out her writing style. Binchy's voice still rang throughout the book which shows that she was a good writer from the very beginning (just maybe needed help concocting up some good plots).
da403's review against another edition
3.0
As always the characters were well written. I am typically anxious to find out what will happen next in her books. And this was no different in that respect. The ending was sad & that was a disappointment for me as I typically read her books to take a break from heavier books. I look forward to that happily ever after that I've come to expect from the few Binchy books I've read. Better luck for me next time.
meme_too2's review against another edition
3.0
I love her characters, yet she can be a little depressing, because of protocal and tradition.
thukpa's review against another edition
3.0
Although I cared about the characters and what was happening to them, the narrative almost reminded me of a diary, though from ominpresent points of view. Otherwise, a satisfying vacation read!
monchichi's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
- justice for clare, she’s one of the only half decent characters in this book
- the ending felt really rushed and made me want to punch a wall
- in depth characterization, provides multiple point of views to give the reader almost every angle of castlebay
- the preservation of community
- the one asian character has no personality and basically boiled down to a stereotype
- the ending felt really rushed and made me want to punch a wall
- in depth characterization, provides multiple point of views to give the reader almost every angle of castlebay
- the preservation of community
- the one asian character has no personality and basically boiled down to a stereotype
alishaabrahamsreads's review against another edition
3.75
Started so strong - but the prose got denser and denser and denser and then pacing sped up, very weird reading experience at the end
BUTTTTT the cycle of women’s limitations in society was showed excellently -
Angela and Claire deserved better, they both had sm potential and then boom marriage spoiled all their great plans - but like … that’s kinda the point so good job Binchy for showing us that sad but realistic world for women (during this time in Ireland)
BUTTTTT the cycle of women’s limitations in society was showed excellently -
Angela and Claire deserved better, they both had sm potential and then boom marriage spoiled all their great plans - but like … that’s kinda the point so good job Binchy for showing us that sad but realistic world for women (during this time in Ireland)
ren_reading's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75