Re-occurring characters

[Lizzie]

I love the way Maeve Binchy has characters from previous books popping up in other ones. In Minding Frankie there are characters from as far back as Tara Road popping up. It's like revisiting a family you know well. Comforting...

[Lee Ann]

I think that is the beauty of Maeve Binchy. She does not make sequels, but you see old friend in each book. If you did not know them from a previously unread book, the are a part of the current story, if you have read about them before,it is like running into an old friend. She does this seemlessly and in such an appealing way.

[Deborah]

I agree that it is a comfort to encounter characters from previous books in other ones, without actually writing a sequel, which is usually not any where nearly as interesting as the original story.

[Josephine]

I'll have to admit that, sometimes, I forget about those old characters...even though I read all of the books. Sometimes, a name will seem familiar, but I just have a hard time connecting back to them because, unfortunately, they weren't horribly memorable characters to begin with.

Don't get me wrong -- I love reading Maeve Binchy, but I guess all I mean here is that there's not continuity from one book to the next (because they're not sequels) and therefore, I don't even think it's really all that necessary to bring back old characters, as though they're truly beloved to begin with.

[Lee Ann]

To me that's the beauty, if you don't remember them they are a part of the current story. If you do, you just ran into an old friend. It just makes the do a quick flashback to another story that I enjoyed. It gives me a connection.

[Gayle]

I love it too! I felt as if I knew this small group of close-knit neighbours. Very clever.

[Robert]

But don't you sometimes feel like you need to consult a chart? I can't keep track!

[Deborah]

Robert wrote: "But don't you sometimes feel like you need to consult a chart? I can't keep track!"

I agree that I can't always place the character immediately, but I enjoy "meeting" them again, and as the current story evolves I remember more about them.

[Lorraine]

Yes, I like this too. There were people from Evening Class in the last one of hers I read Heart and Soul. Very comfortable books.

[Michele]

I think it is like meeting old friends again, people who have become special to you but who haven't seen in a long time. Bravo Maeve, you have done it again. A wonderful read!

[Teri Pre]

I LOVE Maeve's "cast of thousands" as I call it. I've read most of her books several times over and love "seeing" different people again. As everyone has said...it's like seeing old friends again.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the "Fiona" in this book (the Dr.'s wife/nurse) was the same Fiona from "Nights of Rain and Stars", right?

[Lizzie]

Teri Pre wrote: "I LOVE Maeve's "cast of thousands" as I call it. I've read most of her books several times over and love "seeing" different people again. As everyone has said...it's like seeing old friends again..."

Yes , it's the same fiona!

[Judy]

I have read every book I can find by Maeve Binchy. The characters become very familiar as you follow them through the books.

[Betty]

I totally agree with everyone who loves the family feel of Maebe Binchy's stories. They have the feeling of going home to visit family.

[Donna]

I have always enjoyed Maeve Binchy's books. I am in agreement with others that when you read her stories it's like visiting family or good friends. I feel at home inside her books.

[Michele]

Binchey's books are as welcoming as hot cocoa, fuzzy slippers, and a cosy fire to snuggle up to. Her characters are full-bodied and interesting. The story plots follow everyday people through life's challenges. I look forward to every new book as a chance to catch up with old friends and see how they are doing. She never fails to deliver up a great visit!

[Leslie]

Michele wrote: "Binchey's books are as welcoming as hot cocoa, fuzzy slippers, and a cosy fire to snuggle up to. Her characters are full-bodied and interesting. The story plots follow everyday people through life..."

I completely agree! My sister and I talk about how reading her books is like warm, welcome therapy.

[Betty]

I was so sad to read about the death of this wonderful author.

[Michele]

Does another know if she was writing or had written another book since Minding Frankie???

[Leslie]

Yes, I read in one of the articles about her death that she had completed another book and that it would indeed be published. Unfortunately I don't remember where the article was.

[Michele]

Oh! That is wonderful news Leslie! I will keep my eye out for it! I have read and loved all of her books!

[Tory]

was anyone else harboring a secret hope that the well named "Dr. Hat" would turn out to be, say, Jack Foley From Circle of friends? I got obsessed with the idea and was practically holding by breath when He and Emily got married, hoping against hope.

[Lizzie]

Tory wrote: "was anyone else harboring a secret hope that the well named "Dr. Hat" would turn out to be, say, Jack Foley From Circle of friends? I got obsessed with the idea and was practically holding by breat..."

Tory, that would be great wouldn't it! Circle of Friends was the first Maeve Binchey book I read as I had seen the film.

[Rosie]

I so enjoyed Minding Frankie and all the characters it brought back, makes me want to dig out all my old books and re-read them. Hope they can publish her last book, even if someone has to finish it. Think we could all give them some good ideas!

[Jane]

Michele wrote: "Does another know if she was writing or had written another book since Minding Frankie???"

The new book is called A Week in Winter which she finished just before she died

[Penny]

I love the way Meave mentioned characters from other books , it seemed very reassuring in a way, like talking about soneone in your family!! I will really miss new books coming out, I loved them all. It was as if she was sitting there telling you the story. Brilliant writer sadly missed.

[David]

Hi, I just started reading "Minding Frankie" and sad to learn from the thread that Ms. Binchy is no longer with us, but her works live on. As a grandparent and a parent I find this story holding one accountable for the good, the bad the ugly of parenthood, see the importance of Emily's character helping each person realize his or her potential, am rooting for both Lisa and Noel as they together and separately deal with the challenges of young adulthood, and hope that when all is said and done, will have provided a positive influence on my granddaughter's life as will others involved in her care and nurture for the next 16 years when she then turns 18. I love this novel and it will be a fave read!

[David]

I just started reading "Minding Frankie" and as a parent, grandparent, and adult recalling my life from the standpoint of each of the characters, find this work to be intriguing, captivating, helpful to my personal world view, and somewhat real in the various scenes and such played out. I am rooting for Noel and Lisa to find their way, Charles and Josie, Noel's parents and now grandparents to Frankie, admire Emily, and so on. I hope as a grandparent, our granddaughter will have all the nurture and care she needs so to excell and not repeat the fopas of the past within her genetic. This book assures me that is possible. I am sad to learn Ms. Binchy is no longer with us but glad for the works she created. May we b so inspirational to others in our respective parts of the world!
David

[Princess]

where's the setting of the story of minding frankie

[Lee Ann]

Chestnut Street, which is the title of the book her husband just released with stories about the houses on that street. It is fun so far. She was such a treasure, I am sad this is my last chance to share time with Maeve.

[Deborah]

I feel the same way Lee Ann, and have actually postponed reading Chestnut Street in order to have something new of hers to read. I can see myself re-reading some of her things at some point.
When she passed I went on line to see if I had missed any of her books and I did find one novel and one short story that I had somehow missed. I also found some of her columns to read.
The second anniversary of her death was last week and I see that there is a biography of her life out which I may read.

[Lee Ann]

My first and still favorite was Circle Of Friends, after that I was hooked and read everything before and after since.

[Deborah]

That was my first as well, and definitely one if my favorites. I also loved all of her short story collections.

[David]

Hi, I plan to get back and read another novel by M Bincy within a couple months. I found "Minding Frankie" very homy, family-oriented, uplifting and realistic though the setting was another country. Most of my fiction reading has been with stories set in North America. I know, there's a whole world out here!
DavidDeborah wrote: "That was my first as well, and definitely one if my favorites. I also loved all of her short story collections."