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Chestnut Street
Superb storytelling from one of the world's best-loved writers.Just round the corner from St Jarlath's Crescent (featured in MINDING FRANKIE) is Chestnut Street. Here, the lives of the residents are revealed in Maeve Binchy's wonderfully compelling Maguire, the window cleaner, who must do more than he bargained for to protect his son. Nessa Byrne, whose aunt comes to visit from America for six weeks every summer and turns the house - and Nessa's world - upside down. Lilian, the generous girl with a big heart, and the fiancé not everyone approves of. And Melly, whose gossip about the neighbours leads to trouble in the form of the fortune teller, 'Madame Magic'...'In Chestnut Street [there is] enough kindness, wisdom and insight into human nature, to remind readers why Maeve Binchy was one of the most beloved writers this country has ever produced' Irish Times
401 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2014
1797 people are currently reading
7668 people want to read
About the author
Maeve Binchy
257 books5,006 followersAnne Maeve Binchy Snell was an Irish novelist, playwright, short story writer, columnist, and speaker. Her novels were characterised by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland, and surprise endings. Her novels, which were translated into 37 languages, sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Her death at age 73, announced by Vincent Browne on Irish television late on 30 July 2012, was mourned as the death of one of Ireland's best-loved and most recognisable writers.
She appeared in the US market, featuring on The New York Times Best Seller list and in Oprah's Book Club. Recognised for her "total absence of malice" and generosity to other writers, she finished third in a 2000 poll for World Book Day, ahead of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Stephen King.
She appeared in the US market, featuring on The New York Times Best Seller list and in Oprah's Book Club. Recognised for her "total absence of malice" and generosity to other writers, she finished third in a 2000 poll for World Book Day, ahead of Jane Austen, Charles Dickens, and Stephen King.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,780 reviews
March 14, 2014
It’s bittersweet to turn the final page of Maeve Binchy’s, “Chestnut Street” novel, knowing that it’s probably the last original set of Binchy stories and characters. For those of us who have loved and looked forward to her work, we at least have her many past novels and collections to re-read through the years. Her voice is distinctive, her prose simple, she is kind to her characters and forgiving to their very real and recognizable all-too-human foibles. She will live forever through these cherished characters, these old and young, irascible and sweet, kind, quirky, benevolent and malevolent Irish, Spanish, Greek, and Irish-Americans.
“Chestnut Street” is one of Binchy’s trade-mark compilations of character studies all set on one particular street (a horseshoe-shaped neighborhood with 30 houses) in Dublin across several decades. They read almost as fables, often with a “moral”. Binchy, in just a few pages, can completely convey character, action, emotion and wisdom. While she presents an enchanting view of Ireland, she never shies away from the harsh realities of life; unfaithful spouses, abuse, disappointing children, even recalcitrant criminals. Her stories often end with an unexpected twist; sometimes happy, sometimes bittersweet.
Readers need to be satisfied with each contained story, because Binchy rarely circles back around to any, and then only peripherally. I would have loved to know more about several characters, like aloof model, Joyce, and rotund actor, Norman; I’ll have to use my imagination to find a happy ending for those two!
Rest In Peace, Maeve, knowing that you brought much joy to many.
“Chestnut Street” is one of Binchy’s trade-mark compilations of character studies all set on one particular street (a horseshoe-shaped neighborhood with 30 houses) in Dublin across several decades. They read almost as fables, often with a “moral”. Binchy, in just a few pages, can completely convey character, action, emotion and wisdom. While she presents an enchanting view of Ireland, she never shies away from the harsh realities of life; unfaithful spouses, abuse, disappointing children, even recalcitrant criminals. Her stories often end with an unexpected twist; sometimes happy, sometimes bittersweet.
Readers need to be satisfied with each contained story, because Binchy rarely circles back around to any, and then only peripherally. I would have loved to know more about several characters, like aloof model, Joyce, and rotund actor, Norman; I’ll have to use my imagination to find a happy ending for those two!
Rest In Peace, Maeve, knowing that you brought much joy to many.
April 30, 2016
I adore this writer! Maeve is simply the best. I was glad to stumble across this audio cd at my library, but will need to seek out the hard copy to read Gordon Snell’s contribution at the start. He is Maeve’s husband that ensured her last piece could be published.
This was a collection of many short stories, some of which were old residents of books gone by. I did not recognise these as I have been reading Maeve’s books since my first reading of adult books in my teenage years, and my memory is always sketchy to say the least!
My most important observation, the thing that effected my reading the most, was the fact that they were all dark stories – dark in relation to humanity at its not so best. I felt like Maeve was a wise old lady that was noticing the world around her falling apart somewhat. Those little parts of human behaviour that do not show the best part of what we can be.
My favourite story was the last, where a group form friendship after bonding in a café. This was a nice example of faithfulness.
A lot of the offerings ended vaguely, but always with a point. A point that we could take with us and ponder over quietly as the book is finished. I think I was happy with the audio version of this as opposed to a hard copy, the narrator was absolutely sublime to listen to. Very skilful.
Maeve’s last book, what sad fact but she gave us so much, and I will be ever grateful!
This was a collection of many short stories, some of which were old residents of books gone by. I did not recognise these as I have been reading Maeve’s books since my first reading of adult books in my teenage years, and my memory is always sketchy to say the least!
My most important observation, the thing that effected my reading the most, was the fact that they were all dark stories – dark in relation to humanity at its not so best. I felt like Maeve was a wise old lady that was noticing the world around her falling apart somewhat. Those little parts of human behaviour that do not show the best part of what we can be.
My favourite story was the last, where a group form friendship after bonding in a café. This was a nice example of faithfulness.
A lot of the offerings ended vaguely, but always with a point. A point that we could take with us and ponder over quietly as the book is finished. I think I was happy with the audio version of this as opposed to a hard copy, the narrator was absolutely sublime to listen to. Very skilful.
Maeve’s last book, what sad fact but she gave us so much, and I will be ever grateful!
June 23, 2017
Reading Maeve Binchy is like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket and sipping alternately from a glass of lemon juice and a cup of cocoa. I can't tell you how pleased I was to have another of her works to read.
Over the years, Maeve would jot down observations from her life as a journalist and novelist in Dublin and London. She'd create stories involving fictional Chestnut Street in Dublin, and put them in a drawer 'for later'. As the decades passed these became a record of Ireland's changing society. Now her husband and her publisher have presented Maeve's last gift to her readers. It's witty, it's wicked, it's weepy at times, and it's great dip-into fun.
The Sixties were anything but permissive in small towns. When Maura brings her boyfriend from Dublin to a family wedding, in 'It's Only A Day,' her mother makes a big fuss about having nowhere for him to sleep. Maura takes a firm stand. "Mam, Larry is coming to Deirdre's wedding. I don't care if he sleeps with you or with me or with the nun, but can we drop the lectures."
In 'All That Matters' Nessa wants to be like her glamorous, cultured aunt Elizabeth who works as a paralegal in New York and holidays in Dublin each year. Anything would be better than the drudgery of supermarket work like her mother. Only after Nessa's new life goes wrong does she discover that Elizabeth's life isn't all she pretends.
'The Wrong Caption' starts: 'Nora had once worked on a newspaper where they printed a picture of a couple's golden wedding anniversary with the caption "Don't know why this MUST get in, apparently he's a big party supporter."' That's just the start; it's tremendous fun.
'Dublin is small, no matter what they say. There are over half a million people in it, but it is still small.' In 'Taxi Drivers Are Invisible' one cabbie watches the changing fortunes of a marriage prior to Ireland's 1995 divorce referendum.
Acerbic and thoughtful, caring, human, gossipy, loving, memorable. That's CHESTNUT STREET. Thanks, Maeve.
Over the years, Maeve would jot down observations from her life as a journalist and novelist in Dublin and London. She'd create stories involving fictional Chestnut Street in Dublin, and put them in a drawer 'for later'. As the decades passed these became a record of Ireland's changing society. Now her husband and her publisher have presented Maeve's last gift to her readers. It's witty, it's wicked, it's weepy at times, and it's great dip-into fun.
The Sixties were anything but permissive in small towns. When Maura brings her boyfriend from Dublin to a family wedding, in 'It's Only A Day,' her mother makes a big fuss about having nowhere for him to sleep. Maura takes a firm stand. "Mam, Larry is coming to Deirdre's wedding. I don't care if he sleeps with you or with me or with the nun, but can we drop the lectures."
In 'All That Matters' Nessa wants to be like her glamorous, cultured aunt Elizabeth who works as a paralegal in New York and holidays in Dublin each year. Anything would be better than the drudgery of supermarket work like her mother. Only after Nessa's new life goes wrong does she discover that Elizabeth's life isn't all she pretends.
'The Wrong Caption' starts: 'Nora had once worked on a newspaper where they printed a picture of a couple's golden wedding anniversary with the caption "Don't know why this MUST get in, apparently he's a big party supporter."' That's just the start; it's tremendous fun.
'Dublin is small, no matter what they say. There are over half a million people in it, but it is still small.' In 'Taxi Drivers Are Invisible' one cabbie watches the changing fortunes of a marriage prior to Ireland's 1995 divorce referendum.
Acerbic and thoughtful, caring, human, gossipy, loving, memorable. That's CHESTNUT STREET. Thanks, Maeve.
April 19, 2014
When I reviewed A Week In Winter last March, I was sad that it was probably the last book we'd see with Maeve Binchy's name on the cover. But no - on 24 April, Chestnut Street will be published by Orion in hardback and for Kindle, and I was delighted to secure an advance reading e-copy from the publishers and netgalley.
I think it's fair to say that this really is one for Maeve Binchy fans - it isn't a novel, but a series of short stories rather than a coherent whole. The common element is Chestnut Street, a crescent of thirty houses seen over several decades, but other than the occasional returning character - Kevin the taxi driver has an excellent story of his own where he is witness to the sad end of a marriage, and turns up to drive other residents - there was obviously never the opportunity to edit and update the stories to provide those links that would have tied the book together. You also sometimes get the feeling that the author might have planned more work on some of the endings - they sometimes tail off a little, with no trademark twist or observation, and that sometimes left you feeling "what was that all about then?".
But some of the stories are quite perfect. I particularly enjoyed All That Matters, where Nessa is beguiled by the apparent lifestyle of her glamorous Aunt Elizabeth. The Window Box is a wonderful portrait of a penny pinching, embittered and lonely woman watching life happen through her window, Fay's New Uncle a very touching story about an old curmudgeon whose life is changed when he calls on his niece for help. My favourite was One Night A Year where four lonely people meet in Gianni's for a fish supper every New Year's Eve because they have nowhere else to go.
The other common element is Maeve Binchy's wonderful writing - the simple but beautiful flow, the acute observation, the well developed characters (often within very few pages). This book is long, 400 pages, and I think I would have liked it more if some of the less developed stories had been omitted. But it was a lovely opportunity for a lifelong fan of her work to see some of her hitherto unpublished material. So very sad that this now really is the end.
I think it's fair to say that this really is one for Maeve Binchy fans - it isn't a novel, but a series of short stories rather than a coherent whole. The common element is Chestnut Street, a crescent of thirty houses seen over several decades, but other than the occasional returning character - Kevin the taxi driver has an excellent story of his own where he is witness to the sad end of a marriage, and turns up to drive other residents - there was obviously never the opportunity to edit and update the stories to provide those links that would have tied the book together. You also sometimes get the feeling that the author might have planned more work on some of the endings - they sometimes tail off a little, with no trademark twist or observation, and that sometimes left you feeling "what was that all about then?".
But some of the stories are quite perfect. I particularly enjoyed All That Matters, where Nessa is beguiled by the apparent lifestyle of her glamorous Aunt Elizabeth. The Window Box is a wonderful portrait of a penny pinching, embittered and lonely woman watching life happen through her window, Fay's New Uncle a very touching story about an old curmudgeon whose life is changed when he calls on his niece for help. My favourite was One Night A Year where four lonely people meet in Gianni's for a fish supper every New Year's Eve because they have nowhere else to go.
The other common element is Maeve Binchy's wonderful writing - the simple but beautiful flow, the acute observation, the well developed characters (often within very few pages). This book is long, 400 pages, and I think I would have liked it more if some of the less developed stories had been omitted. But it was a lovely opportunity for a lifelong fan of her work to see some of her hitherto unpublished material. So very sad that this now really is the end.
August 7, 2014
I'm giving this one five stars because I think it may be a final tribute to a delightful author who has held us spellbound with her beautiful books over many years. Chestnut Street is a collection of short stories about the residents of the street and every syllable is vintage Maeve Binchy. Her characters are so delightfully old fashioned and nearly always end up doing the right thing so that,as the reader, you can relax and just go with the flow. No tension, no stress, just an enjoyable ride. I have loved her books for more years than I am prepared to admit to and am very sad that there probably will be no more.
April 2, 2024
Catching Up…
This book was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed, so it gave me an opportunity to re-visit these wonderful short stories again.
I always enjoyed reading Maeve Binchy short stories in-between my novels. She was such a cozy writer in so many ways.
Besides, what better way to travel to Chestnut Street in Dublin, Ireland and meet up with the neighbors?
Binchy was such a lyrical writer, too. (This book was published after her death in 2012.) You almost feel like you are one of the many people present in the story.
In this collection, her husband tells us in the introduction that Binchy wrote the stories over a period of decades, with the intention of tying them together so that they just would flow between each other. Her editors attempted to do that with the 36 they collected for this volume.
Readers can sense the feeling of community and connection through the lives and loves and relationships of the various individuals who come and go through the pages.
What I have always loved about Binchy is her ability to capture human nature in such a realistic way. Even if there is tension, or more questions than answers, there is a story to be told, and characters and settings that have been brought to life. Sometimes characters may even pop over into another story.
Most importantly, it reminds us that there is something important about being a neighbor. When was the last time you said hello to yours?
This book was recently donated to my Little Free Library Shed, so it gave me an opportunity to re-visit these wonderful short stories again.
I always enjoyed reading Maeve Binchy short stories in-between my novels. She was such a cozy writer in so many ways.
Besides, what better way to travel to Chestnut Street in Dublin, Ireland and meet up with the neighbors?
Binchy was such a lyrical writer, too. (This book was published after her death in 2012.) You almost feel like you are one of the many people present in the story.
In this collection, her husband tells us in the introduction that Binchy wrote the stories over a period of decades, with the intention of tying them together so that they just would flow between each other. Her editors attempted to do that with the 36 they collected for this volume.
Readers can sense the feeling of community and connection through the lives and loves and relationships of the various individuals who come and go through the pages.
What I have always loved about Binchy is her ability to capture human nature in such a realistic way. Even if there is tension, or more questions than answers, there is a story to be told, and characters and settings that have been brought to life. Sometimes characters may even pop over into another story.
Most importantly, it reminds us that there is something important about being a neighbor. When was the last time you said hello to yours?
February 28, 2024
January 24, 2022 review:
I still love this collection. No updates really from my original review.
Original review:
I bought this when it first came out and read it. I could have sworn I posted a review, but realized I had not. I did a re-read of this the past two days so thought this was a good time as any to write about the short story collection that Binchy put out about "Chestnut Street." This was mentioned in "Minding Frankie" and it's funny that part of me wondered about the people we heard about from that stand alone. Per usual, here are my ratings of the individual stories. I ultimately gave this 5 stars since Binchy had way more wins then misses IMHO in this one. There are a few stories that didn't resonate, but there's not a lot of those.
Dolly's Mother (5 stars)-A young girl that feels a bit dull compared to her glamorous mother who realizes that not all is what it seems with her mother.
It's Only a Day (5 stars)-The one thing I will say about this collection is that the decades jump around a bit in some of the stories so sometimes you don't know when the story is supposed to take place. This one obviously takes place in the 1950s and 1960s and we have three young girls with different ideas of marriage. All of those ideas change up a bit or stay the same though as they get older. The main character I guess you can say in this one is Maura who ends up being with a man who doesn't see the point in marriage. But then you get to see how Maura feels when she sees all of her friends getting married and trying to get along with their families.
Fay's New Uncle (5 stars)-Really good short story following a young woman who finds out about an uncle she never knew she had, Mr. James O'Brien who lives in 28 Chestnut Street. One thing that Binchy does is that some characters appear or are referenced in other stories in this collection. Mr. O'Brien is brought up a few times.
A Problem of My Own (4 stars)-This was funny, but a bit weird I thought. A teacher who gets tired of her friends and schoolkids coming to her about their problems so she decides to get into some trouble so she has something to complain about to others. Like I said it was weird, but the ending was funny as anything which is why I gave it 4 stars.
All That Matters (4 stars)-I felt sad at the end of this one. A young girl called Nessa finds out that her worldly sophisticated aunt is not as she seems. I don't know if Nessa really sees how her life is going to change at the end of the story. Instead she seems focused on her aunt and her life. I think that both of them needed therapy when I finished this one.
Joyce and the Blind Date (3.5 stars)-Not a bad short story, just not really keeping in with the theme of neighbors I thought. A model named Joyce meets a man that she thinks should be following all over her and he's not. She's kind of terrible I thought, and then you get the man's POV and I don't even know what to say there.
Liberty Green (5 stars)-We get to follow a character from childhood through her 40s who has a lot of changes after she realizes that her parents need to give her the freedom to explore things. When her life doesn't quite go as planned, she ensures that she allows her two children the same freedom.
The Cure for Sleeplessness (3 stars)-This read a bit samey to another story in a different collection. Pretty much the cure is doing other things instead of trying to sleep. It just didn't do much for me.
Miss Ranger's Reward (3 stars)-Eh. I didn't like the main character in this one.
Decision in Dublin (5 stars)-I liked this one a lot. A woman looks back at what made her turn her back on her family. When her son is older though he wants to return to Dublin and she thinks through the fact her son may be making the same mistakes that she did.
The Wrong Caption (3 stars)-This was a silly story about a woman obsessed with captions in newspapers and then about her wedding. It was a little all over the place.
Star Sullivan (4 stars)-This one was a little sad in my mind. A young girl who really doesn't understand how terrible her family is in some ways who just wants everything to go well. The ending was a little weird I thought and we don't revisit her to know what happens next.
Taxi Men Are Invisible (5 stars)-Very solid story with a taxi man that lives on Chestnut Street who keeps running into the same couple(s) in this one and is able to actually influence things for one of them.
A Card for Father's Day (2.5 stars)-Very short and just eh. I thought it could have been cut.
The Gift of Dignity (5 stars)-A good story that really hit home about the secrets that people keep from each other. And you have to worry about the damage it all causes in the end.
The Investment (5 stars)-I liked this one. A young girl gets involved with someone that her family despairs of. They send her off to the states where she meets another young man who she doesn't care for. When the money she needs to return home to her boyfriend comes up missing, she is left knowing who took it. The story then follows her as she gets older and the boyfriend becomes her husband.
The Leap of Faith (4 stars)-Not a bad story. Three women come together to see about staying together in one house after they all go through some personal changes in their lives.
Lilian's Hair (5 stars)-I liked this one, but we hear about Lilian again and again throughout this collection so one wonders did she make a good choice or not.
Flowers from Grace (4 stars)-Interesting story about a group of friends and how their New Year's Eve plans fall through.
The Builders (3.5 stars)-This was already a standalone short story I read before and this one ends abruptly and doesn't show the full ending in the short story I read.
Bucket Maguire (4 stars)-A man who seems to just give and give as others in his life just take.
The Older Man (3 stars)-Not a bad story, just kind of blah I thought after what came before it.
Phillip and the Flower Arrangers (4.5 stars)-This one was definitely interesting. A young man who gets told he is heading for a nervous breakdown, has one, and then gets caught up in flower arranging of all things.
Reasonable Access (4.5 stars)-A good story about a family that is torn apart over the father's infidelity. I liked that this one was told from the child's POV.
By the Time We Get to Clifden (3.5 stars)-This story was so bizarre.
The Women Who Righted Wrongs (4 stars)-I liked this one about two friends who exchange wrongs made against them and make the people in question play. A little riff on "Strangers on a Train" I thought.
The Sighting (5 stars)-Two men who find out more than they bargained for about their parents marriage.
The Lottery of the Birds (5 stars)-Another story about a woman trying to twist herself into what she thinks the man she is seeing wants. I am glad that she got told off by her colleagues. The main character really does give up everything to constantly be on call to her boyfriend.
Madame Magic (3.5 stars)-Not bad, it really just gives you updates on characters that have been introduced in other stories.
Say Nothing (5 stars)-A great story about a mother who learns the hard way to say nothing when it comes to what her daughter does and does not do. I thought the ending was pretty good in this one.
Eager to Please (2 stars)-I was so confused while reading this one.
Seeing Things Clearly (5 stars)-A young woman who finally sees her relationship for what it is.
Fair Exchange (4 stars)-Great story about an older woman who teaches a young boy how to cook and he teaches her about the internet/phone/computer. I liked how this one ended too.
The Window Box (5 stars)-The main character reminded me a bit of the "mean" woman in one of Binchy's Lilac Bus stories. She is joyless and cheap and begins to realize she may be missing out on her life. Don't expect a 180 here.
Finn's Future (4.5 stars)-Told via the point of view of the new wife to a man named Dan and how Dan is constantly being shut out of his son's life (Finn). I liked the ending on this one too.
One Night a Year (5 stars)-A story following characters who meet up once every year on New Year's Eve/Day. I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a great story to end on.
I still love this collection. No updates really from my original review.
Original review:
I bought this when it first came out and read it. I could have sworn I posted a review, but realized I had not. I did a re-read of this the past two days so thought this was a good time as any to write about the short story collection that Binchy put out about "Chestnut Street." This was mentioned in "Minding Frankie" and it's funny that part of me wondered about the people we heard about from that stand alone. Per usual, here are my ratings of the individual stories. I ultimately gave this 5 stars since Binchy had way more wins then misses IMHO in this one. There are a few stories that didn't resonate, but there's not a lot of those.
Dolly's Mother (5 stars)-A young girl that feels a bit dull compared to her glamorous mother who realizes that not all is what it seems with her mother.
It's Only a Day (5 stars)-The one thing I will say about this collection is that the decades jump around a bit in some of the stories so sometimes you don't know when the story is supposed to take place. This one obviously takes place in the 1950s and 1960s and we have three young girls with different ideas of marriage. All of those ideas change up a bit or stay the same though as they get older. The main character I guess you can say in this one is Maura who ends up being with a man who doesn't see the point in marriage. But then you get to see how Maura feels when she sees all of her friends getting married and trying to get along with their families.
Fay's New Uncle (5 stars)-Really good short story following a young woman who finds out about an uncle she never knew she had, Mr. James O'Brien who lives in 28 Chestnut Street. One thing that Binchy does is that some characters appear or are referenced in other stories in this collection. Mr. O'Brien is brought up a few times.
A Problem of My Own (4 stars)-This was funny, but a bit weird I thought. A teacher who gets tired of her friends and schoolkids coming to her about their problems so she decides to get into some trouble so she has something to complain about to others. Like I said it was weird, but the ending was funny as anything which is why I gave it 4 stars.
All That Matters (4 stars)-I felt sad at the end of this one. A young girl called Nessa finds out that her worldly sophisticated aunt is not as she seems. I don't know if Nessa really sees how her life is going to change at the end of the story. Instead she seems focused on her aunt and her life. I think that both of them needed therapy when I finished this one.
Joyce and the Blind Date (3.5 stars)-Not a bad short story, just not really keeping in with the theme of neighbors I thought. A model named Joyce meets a man that she thinks should be following all over her and he's not. She's kind of terrible I thought, and then you get the man's POV and I don't even know what to say there.
Liberty Green (5 stars)-We get to follow a character from childhood through her 40s who has a lot of changes after she realizes that her parents need to give her the freedom to explore things. When her life doesn't quite go as planned, she ensures that she allows her two children the same freedom.
The Cure for Sleeplessness (3 stars)-This read a bit samey to another story in a different collection. Pretty much the cure is doing other things instead of trying to sleep. It just didn't do much for me.
Miss Ranger's Reward (3 stars)-Eh. I didn't like the main character in this one.
Decision in Dublin (5 stars)-I liked this one a lot. A woman looks back at what made her turn her back on her family. When her son is older though he wants to return to Dublin and she thinks through the fact her son may be making the same mistakes that she did.
The Wrong Caption (3 stars)-This was a silly story about a woman obsessed with captions in newspapers and then about her wedding. It was a little all over the place.
Star Sullivan (4 stars)-This one was a little sad in my mind. A young girl who really doesn't understand how terrible her family is in some ways who just wants everything to go well. The ending was a little weird I thought and we don't revisit her to know what happens next.
Taxi Men Are Invisible (5 stars)-Very solid story with a taxi man that lives on Chestnut Street who keeps running into the same couple(s) in this one and is able to actually influence things for one of them.
A Card for Father's Day (2.5 stars)-Very short and just eh. I thought it could have been cut.
The Gift of Dignity (5 stars)-A good story that really hit home about the secrets that people keep from each other. And you have to worry about the damage it all causes in the end.
The Investment (5 stars)-I liked this one. A young girl gets involved with someone that her family despairs of. They send her off to the states where she meets another young man who she doesn't care for. When the money she needs to return home to her boyfriend comes up missing, she is left knowing who took it. The story then follows her as she gets older and the boyfriend becomes her husband.
The Leap of Faith (4 stars)-Not a bad story. Three women come together to see about staying together in one house after they all go through some personal changes in their lives.
Lilian's Hair (5 stars)-I liked this one, but we hear about Lilian again and again throughout this collection so one wonders did she make a good choice or not.
Flowers from Grace (4 stars)-Interesting story about a group of friends and how their New Year's Eve plans fall through.
The Builders (3.5 stars)-This was already a standalone short story I read before and this one ends abruptly and doesn't show the full ending in the short story I read.
Bucket Maguire (4 stars)-A man who seems to just give and give as others in his life just take.
The Older Man (3 stars)-Not a bad story, just kind of blah I thought after what came before it.
Phillip and the Flower Arrangers (4.5 stars)-This one was definitely interesting. A young man who gets told he is heading for a nervous breakdown, has one, and then gets caught up in flower arranging of all things.
Reasonable Access (4.5 stars)-A good story about a family that is torn apart over the father's infidelity. I liked that this one was told from the child's POV.
By the Time We Get to Clifden (3.5 stars)-This story was so bizarre.
The Women Who Righted Wrongs (4 stars)-I liked this one about two friends who exchange wrongs made against them and make the people in question play. A little riff on "Strangers on a Train" I thought.
The Sighting (5 stars)-Two men who find out more than they bargained for about their parents marriage.
The Lottery of the Birds (5 stars)-Another story about a woman trying to twist herself into what she thinks the man she is seeing wants. I am glad that she got told off by her colleagues. The main character really does give up everything to constantly be on call to her boyfriend.
Madame Magic (3.5 stars)-Not bad, it really just gives you updates on characters that have been introduced in other stories.
Say Nothing (5 stars)-A great story about a mother who learns the hard way to say nothing when it comes to what her daughter does and does not do. I thought the ending was pretty good in this one.
Eager to Please (2 stars)-I was so confused while reading this one.
Seeing Things Clearly (5 stars)-A young woman who finally sees her relationship for what it is.
Fair Exchange (4 stars)-Great story about an older woman who teaches a young boy how to cook and he teaches her about the internet/phone/computer. I liked how this one ended too.
The Window Box (5 stars)-The main character reminded me a bit of the "mean" woman in one of Binchy's Lilac Bus stories. She is joyless and cheap and begins to realize she may be missing out on her life. Don't expect a 180 here.
Finn's Future (4.5 stars)-Told via the point of view of the new wife to a man named Dan and how Dan is constantly being shut out of his son's life (Finn). I liked the ending on this one too.
One Night a Year (5 stars)-A story following characters who meet up once every year on New Year's Eve/Day. I really enjoyed this one and thought it was a great story to end on.
May 27, 2014
I almost gave this book one star as I really didn't like it, but I love Maeve Binchy. On the positive side, it is interesting to think about how many different personalities live on one street. Other then that, I didn't really like the book. Most of the stories were depressing and the characters were not likable. For most of the book, I was glad that i was finished with each chapter just so I could be done with that storyline.
July 22, 2020
A collection of loosely connected stories set in a neighborhood in Dublin. I mean very loosely connected. Like characters in one story may get mentioned or referred to in another. Some of them don't have any references. I know that these stories were written over a period of time, and this book was published after Maeve's death, so maybe she planned to do more with them. Anyway, it doesn't really matter. Once again, the stories are little snapshots of everyday people just living their lives. As always, Maeve captures people's personalities and has such a great ear for dialogue.
A guilty pleasure for me. There's so much good literature, classic and new, that I haven't read yet; so many good nonfiction topics to read up on. But when I can't quite get my mind to settle down to something serious, I know I can always count on one of Maeve's books to be one that I can actually focus on and finish. I'm just sad there won't be any more. I am pretty sure I've read them all at this point.
A guilty pleasure for me. There's so much good literature, classic and new, that I haven't read yet; so many good nonfiction topics to read up on. But when I can't quite get my mind to settle down to something serious, I know I can always count on one of Maeve's books to be one that I can actually focus on and finish. I'm just sad there won't be any more. I am pretty sure I've read them all at this point.
June 11, 2014
I have read & loved other of the author's works but this one was just not very engaging. It is a series of short stories with the only common thread is that at least one of the persons in each of the stories lived on Chestnut Street.
As can be expected in a collection of short stories, I liked some of the stories more than others but very few really "grabbed" me. Some ended with a character learning something about themselves or their lives and there was the impression that their lives were about to improve in some ways. Others seemed determined to stay in an unhappy and even destructive life. Some ended rather abruptly and it felt like there should have been more.
If you are a Maeve Binchy fan and have not read this one, you will probably enjoy it. If you have never read one of her books, I wouldn't start with this one. I do not think it would motivate you to read others.
As can be expected in a collection of short stories, I liked some of the stories more than others but very few really "grabbed" me. Some ended with a character learning something about themselves or their lives and there was the impression that their lives were about to improve in some ways. Others seemed determined to stay in an unhappy and even destructive life. Some ended rather abruptly and it felt like there should have been more.
If you are a Maeve Binchy fan and have not read this one, you will probably enjoy it. If you have never read one of her books, I wouldn't start with this one. I do not think it would motivate you to read others.
August 13, 2014
Warning: Brutally honest review.
I admit, this book is totally not my style and I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I picked this book up from the library. I was unaware of the fact that it was short stories. I thought it would read more along the lines of a novel. I could not have been more mistaken. I love a good novel; one set of characters from start to finish. Chestnut Street is about a neighborhood, and through the pages you meet everyone living on that street.
This book was very frustrating for me to read. Each chapter introduces you to a new character, for the next ten pages you get to meet their friends, their family, and see things from their eyes. Then the chapter ends and you are introduced to another new character and their set of problems. A lot of chapters leave you with no closure to that particular story. For the first few chapters I kept waiting. I expected there to be some tie somewhere, where the characters would all finally fall into the same picture. No such thing happened. Yes, sometimes certain characters were mentioned in each other’s stories (considering how they all live on the same street…) but no one’s story had anything to do with the next. And when you read 30 individual excerpts in a row, you tend to notice a lot of similarities. Some themes that felt over –used include the terrible, lying, cheating, unworthy husbands, boyfriends, fiancés; and then the overworked, tired, quiet, strong, female characters. In separate books they would have been fine, but one after the other they seemed quite repetitive.
When I finally got accustomed to the abruptly short-story-chapters I did appreciate and enjoy some of the book. Some of the stories were great, and really well written. But you only got a snippet of it and then you were pushed into the next characters life. However I won’t deny that Maeve Binchy was an exceptional writer and some of the stories were beautiful and heartwarming. But, this book is not my kind of book and I really struggled with getting through It therefore I only rated it two stars.
I admit, this book is totally not my style and I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I picked this book up from the library. I was unaware of the fact that it was short stories. I thought it would read more along the lines of a novel. I could not have been more mistaken. I love a good novel; one set of characters from start to finish. Chestnut Street is about a neighborhood, and through the pages you meet everyone living on that street.
This book was very frustrating for me to read. Each chapter introduces you to a new character, for the next ten pages you get to meet their friends, their family, and see things from their eyes. Then the chapter ends and you are introduced to another new character and their set of problems. A lot of chapters leave you with no closure to that particular story. For the first few chapters I kept waiting. I expected there to be some tie somewhere, where the characters would all finally fall into the same picture. No such thing happened. Yes, sometimes certain characters were mentioned in each other’s stories (considering how they all live on the same street…) but no one’s story had anything to do with the next. And when you read 30 individual excerpts in a row, you tend to notice a lot of similarities. Some themes that felt over –used include the terrible, lying, cheating, unworthy husbands, boyfriends, fiancés; and then the overworked, tired, quiet, strong, female characters. In separate books they would have been fine, but one after the other they seemed quite repetitive.
When I finally got accustomed to the abruptly short-story-chapters I did appreciate and enjoy some of the book. Some of the stories were great, and really well written. But you only got a snippet of it and then you were pushed into the next characters life. However I won’t deny that Maeve Binchy was an exceptional writer and some of the stories were beautiful and heartwarming. But, this book is not my kind of book and I really struggled with getting through It therefore I only rated it two stars.
March 22, 2014
Maeve Binchy died in 2012, but she left this group of related stories unpublished. The collections has now been put together and given the title "Chestnut Street" after the neighborhood/street in Dublin, Ireland, where each of the stories takes place.
While the stories were written over many years and there is no continuing plot line, many characters reappear in various stores. They are both interesting and well-drawn.
This is a nice final collection to add to the Binchy canon.
While the stories were written over many years and there is no continuing plot line, many characters reappear in various stores. They are both interesting and well-drawn.
This is a nice final collection to add to the Binchy canon.
March 19, 2014
Who doesn't like Maeve Binchy books. Chestnut Street is a multi generational story . Set in Dublin, Ireland this is a wonderful story of a small community street in transition. Families come and go or just grow older and have the sons and daughters stay in the home. This book is good for so many different readers, young and old alike. A glimpse of life in the Irish 80's through today. The characters are easy to like and so real you think they could be your neighbor and that you yourself would fit in on Chestnut Street. Will be recommending this to a lot of readers and reminding Maeve Binchy fans that this will be another great read.
September 9, 2014
Binche's last book of short stories, with a common theme among them of various residents who lived on Chestnut Street in Dublin at different times. The stories are observations on relationships of all sorts: families, marriages, breakups, affairs, divorces galore, business associates, gay partners, girlfriends, children, elderly parents -- pretty much the entire gamut of possibilities. Some stories are more interesting and touching than others, and some seemed unfinished or in need of a final edit job. Hey, sort of like real life.
May 3, 2019
Another wonderful book of short stories based in Dublin by Maeve Binchy. All them take place in houses on Chestnut Street and some characters go in and out of each other's stories.
This is her last book, and while I can go back and see if there's any I missed, I will miss seeing a new book from her knowing it will be a light, enjoyable read.
This is her last book, and while I can go back and see if there's any I missed, I will miss seeing a new book from her knowing it will be a light, enjoyable read.
March 20, 2017
Audiobook read by Sale Bermingham
3.5***
From the book jacket: Maeve Binchy imagined a street in Dublin with many characters coming and going, and every once in a while she would write about one of these people. She would then put the story in a drawer, “for the future,” she would say. (This collection of short stories was published after Binchy’s death.)
My Reactions
Binchy does a great job of giving us a picture of a neighborhood. Characters come in contact with one another, interact, leave, and return. They support one another, fight, make-up, deride, and defend in turns. They witness one another’s triumphs and defeats. But always there is a sense of community, of a shared culture and similar experiences. Binchy’s characters seem like real people; I recognize many of them though I live in Wisconsin and this is set in Dublin.
Sale Bermingham does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She really brought these characters to life.
3.5***
From the book jacket: Maeve Binchy imagined a street in Dublin with many characters coming and going, and every once in a while she would write about one of these people. She would then put the story in a drawer, “for the future,” she would say. (This collection of short stories was published after Binchy’s death.)
My Reactions
Binchy does a great job of giving us a picture of a neighborhood. Characters come in contact with one another, interact, leave, and return. They support one another, fight, make-up, deride, and defend in turns. They witness one another’s triumphs and defeats. But always there is a sense of community, of a shared culture and similar experiences. Binchy’s characters seem like real people; I recognize many of them though I live in Wisconsin and this is set in Dublin.
Sale Bermingham does a fine job narrating the audiobook. She really brought these characters to life.
October 28, 2017
The novel consists of various short stories. The underlying theme to many of them was but there were other kinds. I really liked the book because its great for mood reading. The stories have different characters but sometimes the characters low-key featured in another story so its really cool. I can read whatever story whenever depending on my mood. I would definitely recommend this book for something like this.
June 6, 2014
Chestnut Street is the final book by popular Irish author, Maeve Binchy. It is a collection of thirty-six short stories, all with some relation to Chestnut Street, Dublin (just around the corner from St Jarlath’s Crescent, another address well-known to Binchy fans). Most of the stories have not been published previously, but some have a rather unfinished feel, as if they are the first chapter of a longer story. This idea is reinforced by the inclusion of the first chapter of Star Sullivan (a first chapter which promises more than the rather mediocre final version that was published as a Quick Reads story) and the first 3 chapters of The Builders (a wonderful piece of Binchy gold published in the Open Door series). There is a forward by Binchy’s husband, Gordon Snell, outlining her intentions with this collection. While Binchy fans will enjoy most of the stories, a few are decidedly unsatisfying, meaning that this collection is a bit of a mixed bag: most of the stories are true Maeve Binchy diamonds; a few are just stones.
July 19, 2014
A nice collection of short stories that all take place on a fictitious street in Dublin. Some of the stories are a little maudlin, but over all this is a good example of Maeve Binchy's writing. One of the foremost story tellers of all time. Makes me a little sad that I've read all of her published works...
April 29, 2022
Binchy has been writing these individual stories as she was meeting different people over the years, marking them as “For the future”, and today, all the stories are gathered as neighbors on The Chestnut street.
Neighbors of completely different environments, backgrounds, ideologies, occupations living and roaming this street in Dublin.
What I liked: Her style of writing as always is very simple yet beautiful.
What I disliked: - I read till page.222 and dnf’ed. I need to switch from the “Short story wave”, I’ve read enough. I may finish some other time.
- Although I love Maeve, there were some mildly sexist remarks, but I’m not sure if she was simply stating how things were or if this is her actual stand; I’ve never experienced this feeling from her previous books.
Out of the 20 stories I did read, these were my top favorites:
*Liberty green
*The cure for sleeplessness
*The leap of faith
⭐️: 3/5
Neighbors of completely different environments, backgrounds, ideologies, occupations living and roaming this street in Dublin.
What I liked: Her style of writing as always is very simple yet beautiful.
What I disliked: - I read till page.222 and dnf’ed. I need to switch from the “Short story wave”, I’ve read enough. I may finish some other time.
- Although I love Maeve, there were some mildly sexist remarks, but I’m not sure if she was simply stating how things were or if this is her actual stand; I’ve never experienced this feeling from her previous books.
Out of the 20 stories I did read, these were my top favorites:
*Liberty green
*The cure for sleeplessness
*The leap of faith
⭐️: 3/5
April 3, 2020
37 Short Stories
12 hours 45 minutes on Audio
Thanks to A Stitcher's Book Club Buddy Picks for choosing this for me!
I've been a long time fan of Maeve Binchy. She was an amazing storyteller, creating captivating stories about regular people and the daily dramas, tragedies, love and other events that happen in their regular lives. The fact that this collection is centred around one neighbourhood street in Ireland is really quite fantastic! I mean, how much can happen? Apparently, lots. But then again, we never know what goes on behind closed doors. Each story is unique and interesting.
From her GR bio: Her books often deal with people who are young, fall in love, have families, and deal with relationship or family problems. The main characters are people whom readers can empathise with.
They are read by her daughter, an excellent choice as her wonderful Irish lilt adds authenticity to the stories and characters. I listened to 5 or 6 stories at a time, taking breaks, so I could absorb them properly.
I'm not going to write individual reviews for each, but here are my personal ratings for each short story:
• Dolly’s Mother - 3 stars... odd story
• It’s Only a Day - 3.5 stars
• The Cure for Sleeplessness - 4 stars
• Fay’s New Uncle - 5 stars... lovely
• A Problem of My Own - 3.5 stars
• All That Matters - 4 stars
• Joyce and the Blind Date - 5 stars... great ending
• Liberty Green - 4 stars
• Miss Ranger’s Reward - 3.5 stars
• Decision in Dublin - 3 stars
• The Wrong Caption - 4 stars
• Star Sullivan - 2 stars
• Taxi Men are Invisible - 2 stars… odd story
• A Card for Father’s Day - 5 stars... heart-strings
• The Gift of Dignity - 4.5 stars
• The Investment - 5 stars
• The Leap of Faith - 5 stars
• Lillian’s Hair - 3.5 stars… abrupt ending
• Flowers from Grace - 4.5 stars
• The Builders - 5 stars
• The Older Man - 5 stars
• Bucket Maguire - 4.5 stars
• Phillip and the Flower Arrangers - 3 stars
• Reasonable Access - 4 stars
• By the Time We Get to Clifden - 4 stars
• The Women Who Righted Wrong - 5 stars... great ending
• The Sighting - 4 stars
• The Lottery of the Birds - 4 stars (title didn't really match)
• Fair Exchange - 5 stars
• Madame Magic - 5 stars... nice ending
• Say Nothing - 4.5 stars
• Eager to Please - 3 stars
• Seeing Things Clearly - 4 stars
• The Window Box - 3.5 stars
• Finn’s Future - 3.5 stars
• One Night a Year - 4 stars
• A Hut for the Wedding - 4 stars
Overall rating of 4.1 stars
12 hours 45 minutes on Audio
Thanks to A Stitcher's Book Club Buddy Picks for choosing this for me!
I've been a long time fan of Maeve Binchy. She was an amazing storyteller, creating captivating stories about regular people and the daily dramas, tragedies, love and other events that happen in their regular lives. The fact that this collection is centred around one neighbourhood street in Ireland is really quite fantastic! I mean, how much can happen? Apparently, lots. But then again, we never know what goes on behind closed doors. Each story is unique and interesting.
From her GR bio: Her books often deal with people who are young, fall in love, have families, and deal with relationship or family problems. The main characters are people whom readers can empathise with.
They are read by her daughter, an excellent choice as her wonderful Irish lilt adds authenticity to the stories and characters. I listened to 5 or 6 stories at a time, taking breaks, so I could absorb them properly.
I'm not going to write individual reviews for each, but here are my personal ratings for each short story:
• Dolly’s Mother - 3 stars... odd story
• It’s Only a Day - 3.5 stars
• The Cure for Sleeplessness - 4 stars
• Fay’s New Uncle - 5 stars... lovely
• A Problem of My Own - 3.5 stars
• All That Matters - 4 stars
• Joyce and the Blind Date - 5 stars... great ending
• Liberty Green - 4 stars
• Miss Ranger’s Reward - 3.5 stars
• Decision in Dublin - 3 stars
• The Wrong Caption - 4 stars
• Star Sullivan - 2 stars
• Taxi Men are Invisible - 2 stars… odd story
• A Card for Father’s Day - 5 stars... heart-strings
• The Gift of Dignity - 4.5 stars
• The Investment - 5 stars
• The Leap of Faith - 5 stars
• Lillian’s Hair - 3.5 stars… abrupt ending
• Flowers from Grace - 4.5 stars
• The Builders - 5 stars
• The Older Man - 5 stars
• Bucket Maguire - 4.5 stars
• Phillip and the Flower Arrangers - 3 stars
• Reasonable Access - 4 stars
• By the Time We Get to Clifden - 4 stars
• The Women Who Righted Wrong - 5 stars... great ending
• The Sighting - 4 stars
• The Lottery of the Birds - 4 stars (title didn't really match)
• Fair Exchange - 5 stars
• Madame Magic - 5 stars... nice ending
• Say Nothing - 4.5 stars
• Eager to Please - 3 stars
• Seeing Things Clearly - 4 stars
• The Window Box - 3.5 stars
• Finn’s Future - 3.5 stars
• One Night a Year - 4 stars
• A Hut for the Wedding - 4 stars
Overall rating of 4.1 stars
May 23, 2022
This is a book published after the author's death, but it is one which was always intended. Stories of different characters with only the street where they reside in common, these tales were penned over the years and kept in a drawer exactly for this purpose.
Maeve Binchy demonstrates her sharp perception of the differing characters ... young, old, single, coupled and from every walk of life. The perfect book to keep at your bedside and read a story every now and then, and wait for the penny to drop when you join up the dots which connect them all.
As ever, a warm-hearted and enjoyable read and a fitting tribute to such a wonderful author. Highly recommend.
Maeve Binchy demonstrates her sharp perception of the differing characters ... young, old, single, coupled and from every walk of life. The perfect book to keep at your bedside and read a story every now and then, and wait for the penny to drop when you join up the dots which connect them all.
As ever, a warm-hearted and enjoyable read and a fitting tribute to such a wonderful author. Highly recommend.
January 24, 2014
These thirty eight short stories about the people who live on a charming street in Dublin were written as short stories or columns in newspaper by Maeve Binchey in her final years. The main characters are often women who are under appreciated or involved with men who are wrong for them. Although I am a Binchey fan, I felt that the stories were too short to enjoy fully.
February 23, 2016
A collection of stories in the Maeve Binchy style, no stress and delightful characters. I loved the first story most. It was about a teenage girl growing up and reflecting on her mother.
October 5, 2021
Comfort reading! A collection of short family dramas in classic Maeve Binchy style. A must read for fans (read by Kate Binchy if you're going for the audio yay!).
October 22, 2021
Chestnut Street is the final book by popular Irish author, Maeve Binchy. The audio version is read by Kate Binchy. It is a collection of thirty-six short stories, all with some relation to Chestnut Street, Dublin (just around the corner from St Jarlath’s Crescent, another address well-known to Binchy fans).
Most of the stories have not been published previously, but some have a rather unfinished feel, as if they are the first chapter of a longer story. This idea is reinforced by the inclusion of the first chapter of Star Sullivan (a first chapter which promises more than the rather mediocre final version that was published as a Quick Reads story) and the first 3 chapters of The Builders (a wonderful piece of Binchy gold published in the Open Door series).
There is a forward by Binchy’s husband, Gordon Snell, outlining her intentions with this collection. While Binchy fans will enjoy most of the stories, a few are decidedly unsatisfying, meaning that this collection is a bit of a mixed bag: most of the stories are true Maeve Binchy diamonds; a few are just stones.
Most of the stories have not been published previously, but some have a rather unfinished feel, as if they are the first chapter of a longer story. This idea is reinforced by the inclusion of the first chapter of Star Sullivan (a first chapter which promises more than the rather mediocre final version that was published as a Quick Reads story) and the first 3 chapters of The Builders (a wonderful piece of Binchy gold published in the Open Door series).
There is a forward by Binchy’s husband, Gordon Snell, outlining her intentions with this collection. While Binchy fans will enjoy most of the stories, a few are decidedly unsatisfying, meaning that this collection is a bit of a mixed bag: most of the stories are true Maeve Binchy diamonds; a few are just stones.
May 21, 2014
CHESTNUT STREET
Maeve Binchy
I'm sorry to say that CHESTNUT STREET is Ms. Binchy's final book, and it goes without saying she and her talented magic will be missed!!!
I don't usually read short stories, but since this one was so special, I read it and found it was a wonderful read. Ms. Binchy's marvelous writing that captures her fondness for her home and county is again a joy to read.
She was a gigantic talent and her legacy will live forever!
Maeve Binchy
I'm sorry to say that CHESTNUT STREET is Ms. Binchy's final book, and it goes without saying she and her talented magic will be missed!!!
I don't usually read short stories, but since this one was so special, I read it and found it was a wonderful read. Ms. Binchy's marvelous writing that captures her fondness for her home and county is again a joy to read.
She was a gigantic talent and her legacy will live forever!
August 13, 2019
Tedious and often nonsensical stories.
And I'm a Maeve Binchy fan.
And I'm a Maeve Binchy fan.
July 14, 2014
Maeve Binchy’s Chestnut Street is marvelous. It was a real treat to hear Sile Bermingham read the stories some finished and some not. This reader managed Irish accents beautifully. Ms. Bermingham had me catching the way the Irish speak the end of the sentence and love the lilt of it. Maeve Binchy passed away in July 2012. I am so glad that her stories in this audio version were published.
I have enjoyed Maeve Binchy’s books so much that I did not want her to die! Her writing is so full of emotional depth and the characters are live forever in my memory. I do not like short stories generally because I tend to get hooked on a character and then get mad at the author when the story is over. But Maeve linked the characters together with a street. They all lived on Chestnut Street. That meant that they could reappear in later stories. I love that.
The scope of Chestnut Street is amazing. She writes of a girl being jealous of her beautiful and pleasing mother who later learns a lesson and is much wiser and accepting of her mother later. She writes of people who act with good heartedness, of the extremely poor, the rejects of society, the parents learning to loosen the parental bonds so that their children can grow up free and not dependent. She writes of what is like to be fat, to have a low level of self-respect, extra martial affairs, of children of the divorced, of taxi drivers and birthday parties. She writes of people living fake lives and those who are true to themselves and others. She did this with beauty and the talent of a true Irish story teller.
I heartedly recommend this audio version of Chestnut to all who love stories.
I have enjoyed Maeve Binchy’s books so much that I did not want her to die! Her writing is so full of emotional depth and the characters are live forever in my memory. I do not like short stories generally because I tend to get hooked on a character and then get mad at the author when the story is over. But Maeve linked the characters together with a street. They all lived on Chestnut Street. That meant that they could reappear in later stories. I love that.
The scope of Chestnut Street is amazing. She writes of a girl being jealous of her beautiful and pleasing mother who later learns a lesson and is much wiser and accepting of her mother later. She writes of people who act with good heartedness, of the extremely poor, the rejects of society, the parents learning to loosen the parental bonds so that their children can grow up free and not dependent. She writes of what is like to be fat, to have a low level of self-respect, extra martial affairs, of children of the divorced, of taxi drivers and birthday parties. She writes of people living fake lives and those who are true to themselves and others. She did this with beauty and the talent of a true Irish story teller.
I heartedly recommend this audio version of Chestnut to all who love stories.
December 1, 2014
A little bittersweet, since Binchy is deceased, but I'm so glad to be reading something new by her. Loved Chestnut Street and all it's inhabitants, it's like driving through a nice street and peeking into everyone's living room and they've got the curtains thrown wide open. Binchy creates such wonderful and realistic characters, her stories literally warm the cockles of my heart... whatever the hell cockles are. Mine are warmed right at this moment. :)
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