Maeve Binchy: Three Great Novels

by Maeve Binchy

Maeve Binchy can always be counted on to spin an involving tale about ordinary people that brings out the extraordinary in everyone. In Evening Class, Binchy zooms in on the working-class of Dublin. Schoolteacher Aidan Dunne organizes an evening class in Italian with the help of Nora O'Donoghue, an Irishwoman returning home after 26 years in Sicily. When the somewhat squashed-by-life denizens of the surrounding neighborhood take the unexpected step of enrolling in the class, they find their lives transformed. Binchy tells her story from the viewpoints of eight different characters and rewards both them and her readers with happy endings after the requisite rocky road. Reading a novel by Maeve Binchy is like catching up with old friends--you know everything will turn out fine in the end, but you're still interested in how things get that way.

Genres: Fiction, Irish Literature

Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Anne 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.

Reviews

[Kathy Johnson]

I just finished "Tara Road" - but couldn't find it on it's own on Goodreads. Not my favorite book. It didn't have much of a plot just character development and half the people drove me crazy. The main character (Ria) was totally ridiculous in how naive she was. I liked the writing style but I really didn't like the book too much.

[Fleur Lind]

I've been carried away again with Evening Class by Maeve Binchy. Storytelling at its best, another can't - put - down read.
It took me back to.my own first time Italian experience last year.
Maeve Binchy also takes me back to Ireland, also my first time on the Emerand Isle last year. Loved the characters in Evening Class, the unpredictability of the story line and the fabulous ending.

[Jamie Uddington]

These were not really for me.

I found them when clearing out an old room. They were okay, I suppose. I know they were certainly popular to generations not long gone.

So ultimately I'd suggest you try for yourself. It could be you love them.

No book is for everyone, and that's what makes reading so much fun!

[Janita Scheurwater]

Very good book

[HEATHER]

I truly love each of her books. The characters she weaves and the lives they live make me feel a gamut of emotions. Most of the time I feel like I know the characters personally.

[Dianne Eysink]

Maeve Benchley books are sweet, easy reads for people who want to feel good about the world.

[Sue Flint]

Love all Maeve Binchy books.

[Alisa]

Beautiful descriptive writing! Transports you wonderfully -

[Diana Lepine]

I read Evening class. What a great peek into 20th century Ireland! Great characters giving us a view of their Irish lives. Loved it.

[Sand]

I love my Library

[Katie]

I really like Maeve Binchy's books, though I usually don't like how things end or what usually happens to the characters. But I do like how her books are sometimes interconnected. They are very easy to read too.

[Sarah]

Although this book seemed to start off slowly, I soon realized that the extensive character development was a incredibly important part of the plot. I really enjoyed Tara Road. Maeve Binchy is a master at character development and plot.

[C]

I only read Tara Road. A woman falls for a guy with big ideas but he's kind of a dreamer. They buy this dump of house but over the years build it into a manson. The marraige falls apart and things change. I really enjoyed the book.

[Katie]

just good easy reading

[Tara]

Have only read Tara Road years ago, but really enjoyed it. Thanks for the bday gift Jess and Erik (Sept 03, if I remember correctly).

[Tami Cameron]

Only read Scarlet Feather. Light and relaxing.

[Shasta Patterson]

I read Tara Road. Not sure why it won't just come up that way.

[Kris]

Still reading.

[Shawn McStravick]

Light hearted, great vacation books to take your mind of everything else. Binchy has a way of forming wonderful relationships in her books.

[Mahalia Solages]

didnt' read evening class, but she is such a wonderful storyteller

[Jenny]

Actually only read the book Tara Road - it was a fun read, would read the others. An Irish setting.

[Eileen Brave]

I just love all Maeve Binchy shallow but beautifully written a great what would you take with you if you were to be stranded on a desert island .

[Linda Engman]

Ms. Binchy develops great characters that I missed long after I finished these stories.

[Carol]

A good read for cold winter days.