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dunnadam's review
5.0
There's nothing like a Maeve Binchy book that I've found. Sometimes I'll be looking for something to read and I'll remember her and pick one up and I'm never disappointed.
I haven't read many of her later books, as she got older she would forget long intricate stories and wrote more books of short stories or like this one a group of selected characters. In another book she divided the book by months so she was able to keep track of everything. To me her early long works were so enchanting I couldn't really adapt to this shorter style.
But I was missing out. There's a moment early on in this book where a sullen teenager is complaining, saying it's not what he thought his life would be. A woman says back:
“It’s not what I thought my life would be either, but somewhere along the line we have to pick things up and run with them.”
This is quintessential Binchy, making the best, finding a way, strong women living their lives. And of course the Irish setting, so cozy you feel you're tucked in a corner of the room with a cat on your lap.
I really love and admire Maeve Binchy and this her final book was a gem.
I haven't read many of her later books, as she got older she would forget long intricate stories and wrote more books of short stories or like this one a group of selected characters. In another book she divided the book by months so she was able to keep track of everything. To me her early long works were so enchanting I couldn't really adapt to this shorter style.
But I was missing out. There's a moment early on in this book where a sullen teenager is complaining, saying it's not what he thought his life would be. A woman says back:
“It’s not what I thought my life would be either, but somewhere along the line we have to pick things up and run with them.”
This is quintessential Binchy, making the best, finding a way, strong women living their lives. And of course the Irish setting, so cozy you feel you're tucked in a corner of the room with a cat on your lap.
I really love and admire Maeve Binchy and this her final book was a gem.
ennasa's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.5
kskin12's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jaimeroo's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
myounglove59's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
stephtherose_'s review against another edition
3.0
Cute, warm and cuddly is how I would describe this book. Perfect when you're sitting next to a fireplace. Each chapter is centered around a different person that ends up at a bed and breakfast in western Ireland. Liked it a lot but since the stories were short with each character, I didn't really feel attached like I wanted to.
victoria_chiakmakis's review against another edition
2.0
Ohh this book. I tried so hard to like it. I enjoyed the first two chapters and then I just couldn’t anymore. The writing is fine. But the story line is just too uninteresting to keep my attention. I own a couple more books by this author and I am going to take some time before I try them. Oh well.
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
Book on CD performed by Rosalyn Landor
Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Stoneybridge, on Ireland’s west coast. Still, when Chicky Starr buys Stone House from the last remaining Sheedy sister and announces she will turn it into a special kind of inn for paying guests, most everyone is certain the plan will fail. When the young people of town are leaving for the big city, who would want to come to tiny Stoneybridge? But Chicky assembles an eclectic group of travelers for her opening week, and begins a new chapter in her life and in the future of Stoneybridge.
This is Binchy’s last novel, published posthumously. It’s evident that she loved the landscape and the people of Ireland and she conveys that beautifully. This is an ensemble piece and there are sections devoted to each of the major players. From Chicky Starr (who comes back to Stoneybridge after decades in America) to Rigger (bad-boy turned general manager) to Freda (librarian and psychic), the reader gets to know each of the characters dreams, disappointments, strengths and flaws.
Rosalyn Landor does a wonderful job performing the audio version. She is a gifted voice artist and has a wide repertoire of voices and accents which allows her to bring the many character’s to life. My only disappointment is that it is Binchy’s last work – I would love to be able to look forward to a sequel.
Everyone knows everyone in the small town of Stoneybridge, on Ireland’s west coast. Still, when Chicky Starr buys Stone House from the last remaining Sheedy sister and announces she will turn it into a special kind of inn for paying guests, most everyone is certain the plan will fail. When the young people of town are leaving for the big city, who would want to come to tiny Stoneybridge? But Chicky assembles an eclectic group of travelers for her opening week, and begins a new chapter in her life and in the future of Stoneybridge.
This is Binchy’s last novel, published posthumously. It’s evident that she loved the landscape and the people of Ireland and she conveys that beautifully. This is an ensemble piece and there are sections devoted to each of the major players. From Chicky Starr (who comes back to Stoneybridge after decades in America) to Rigger (bad-boy turned general manager) to Freda (librarian and psychic), the reader gets to know each of the characters dreams, disappointments, strengths and flaws.
Rosalyn Landor does a wonderful job performing the audio version. She is a gifted voice artist and has a wide repertoire of voices and accents which allows her to bring the many character’s to life. My only disappointment is that it is Binchy’s last work – I would love to be able to look forward to a sequel.