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romonko's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
It's been quite awhile since I read a Maeve Binchy book, but I had this one on my shelf, and I felt the need of some nice cozy fiction during the cold snap we're currently experiencing. It did not take me long to realize how much I enjoy Maeve Binchy's books, even though I haven't read one for a long time. This was like reading a book similar to the television series, Midsomer Murders. Only in this it is a small Irish village called Rossmore that we visit. The characters in the book are truly spectacular. I fell in love with everyone of them, and believe me, there are quite a few recurring characters in this book. The story is woven around the small village, and the possibility of a huge road going in beside their town, and through a famous old well called St. Ann's Well where people have gone for years to have their wishes granted. We meet Brian Flynn, the village curate, and we meet Neddy Nolan, and many others. We find out about their adolescent years as well as their adult lives, and we are part of all the trials and tribulations that each of the families have gone through. Each story has been woven into the fabric of this book to make an utterly believable whole. I was so taken with the book that I am going to read the Maeve Binchy books that I haven't read before. I look forward to this journey because I know I will love everyone as much as I loved this one.
jmages's review against another edition
2.0
I just thought this was okay - was glad I listened to it or I probably would have given up.
caramay's review against another edition
3.0
I like this book but I was often too tired after work to enjoy it more than I did.
emilyisreading2024's review
3.0
This is almost like a collection of short stories, whereas I prefer her novels. The characters were well-written, but I didn't really care that much what happened.
leemac027's review
4.0
Maeve Binchy has such an easy writing style - a book you can slide into without too much effort and purely enjoy the ride.
Rossmore is a small village in Ireland but progress is coming with the planning of a new bypass. This bypass will take the trucks and traffic out of the way but will it also take business away as well? There are many opinions about whether this is a good idea or not and on top of this dilemma, there is a wood nearby containing a well dedicated to St Ann and if the bypass goes in, the well goes out.
Binchy cleverly winds the stories of people in the village, their inter-relationships, dilemmas, history, biases and passions into a wonderful story about being human. We can recognise ourselves in the characters and how the various plots weave in and out of their lives.
The ever present and helpful Father Flynn finds himself in the middle of the bypass debate, awkwardly supporting both sides of the argument - where will he end up?
There is love and lots of humour in this wonderful book.
Rossmore is a small village in Ireland but progress is coming with the planning of a new bypass. This bypass will take the trucks and traffic out of the way but will it also take business away as well? There are many opinions about whether this is a good idea or not and on top of this dilemma, there is a wood nearby containing a well dedicated to St Ann and if the bypass goes in, the well goes out.
Binchy cleverly winds the stories of people in the village, their inter-relationships, dilemmas, history, biases and passions into a wonderful story about being human. We can recognise ourselves in the characters and how the various plots weave in and out of their lives.
The ever present and helpful Father Flynn finds himself in the middle of the bypass debate, awkwardly supporting both sides of the argument - where will he end up?
There is love and lots of humour in this wonderful book.
feminist_mayhem's review
4.0
3.5 stars. At first it seems like a bunch of short stories, but then the little stories tie into one bigger story- overall theme being about love (most romantic love, but also the love in friendship and loving yourself). Fun, easy, relatively light read.
reyemyttap's review
1.0
honestly this book was a big "WHATEVER" for me. i got this book as a small birthday present, and like all books, i treat it with respect by reading it with an open mind, despite having never heard of the book or the author. at first, i quite enjoyed reading about these tiny characters living their tiny lives. usually lives full of betrayel, adultary, murder even. but also love and friendship, which drew me in the most. but then 200 pages in, i started realizing that there was no actual plot??? they all centered mainly around this "magical" well in a small town in ireland but they didn't specifically talk about it much in detail, only by mentioning it as if it was an old memory (which it usually is, ironically enough)
if i am going to be completely honest, i actually have no idea what happens in the end. i sort of lost focus when i realized that there was no actual plot to this book. the characters i would've loved to read more about had really unfinished stories and was never brought up again. and the ones i could care less about had stories that felt dragged on and i just wasn't in sync with this book or this author. i question the people who gave this book a 4 or 5 stars. what did you actually find interesting about it? i'm really curious.
if i am going to be completely honest, i actually have no idea what happens in the end. i sort of lost focus when i realized that there was no actual plot to this book. the characters i would've loved to read more about had really unfinished stories and was never brought up again. and the ones i could care less about had stories that felt dragged on and i just wasn't in sync with this book or this author. i question the people who gave this book a 4 or 5 stars. what did you actually find interesting about it? i'm really curious.
lbb00ks's review against another edition
Because I was not holding the book in my hand and seeing the pages it took me a while to catch on to and keep straight all of the voices in this story of a holy well and its human environs in Ireland. Although many interconnections become coincidences that strain credulity, the characters are so approachable and heartfelt that I found myself rooting for every improbable end to each vignette.
henrismum's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
First by author
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I heard about Maeve Binchy a few years ago, probably after her death. I wasn't sure I'd like her but with my foray into women's literature and with Binchy being Irish, I put her on my list.
Will I read more of the author?Probably Not Maybe Highly Likely
The story structure of this book was unusual; I'm not sure if all her books have multiple characters telling multiple stories that loosely relate to one theme. In some ways I liked this approach and in other ways, I did not. I will try another book to see how it goes.
The narrators were Sile Bermingham and Paul Michael. Ms. Bermingham must have been the main narrator because there were times when I didn't initially grasp it was a man telling the story. I guess Mr. Michael introduced the chapters???
Source: Buffalo Library
Audiobook (All of my entries on The Story Graph are audiobooks.)
Why I added this book to my TBR pile: I heard about Maeve Binchy a few years ago, probably after her death. I wasn't sure I'd like her but with my foray into women's literature and with Binchy being Irish, I put her on my list.
Will I read more of the author?
The story structure of this book was unusual; I'm not sure if all her books have multiple characters telling multiple stories that loosely relate to one theme. In some ways I liked this approach and in other ways, I did not. I will try another book to see how it goes.
The narrators were Sile Bermingham and Paul Michael. Ms. Bermingham must have been the main narrator because there were times when I didn't initially grasp it was a man telling the story. I guess Mr. Michael introduced the chapters???
Source: Buffalo Library
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Classism, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident, Pregnancy, Cancer, Dementia, Incest, and Terminal illness