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domicspinnwand's review against another edition
4.0
Genau das erwarte ich von Frau Binchy: Solide Unterhaltung, was für's Herz, ein bissle altmodisch, so eine Art "Hanni und Nanni" für Erwachsene. Dann werden Figuren aus früheren Geschichten eingestreut - das Restaurant "Quentins" wird am Rande erwähnt und auch die "Irische Signora" kommt am Rand vor. Doch, nett. Auch wenn das Buch eher eine Sammlung von mehreren Kurzgeschichten über die verschiedenen Hotelgäste ist und ich Kurzgeschichten EIGENTLICH nicht sooo mag - hier war das ok.
verdaria's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
4.0
egsmith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
3.0
bethswantz's review against another edition
5.0
I am clearly in a nostalgic mood - this is another old favorite author! Maeve Binchy is one of my very favorite!!! Her books are filled with the day to day life of everyday people. Her writing elevates their lives to simple poetry. I know - that sounds a little ridiculously flowery - but she brings it out in me!
This book did not disappoint! Chicky Starr is content to live her life out in the small Irish community of Stonybridge until a smiling yank sweeps her off her feet and carries her across the ocean to New York City. When that romance fades she can not tell her family what has happened - so she remains in New York creating a story of her life. Over the years she settles in a boarding house and learns the trade and perfects her story - returning home now and again but maintaining the facade. When her favorite niece is ready to come to NY to see the glamorous life her aunt is leading Chicky makes a fateful decision - her husband is suddenly killed in a car accident and she decides to return home. But - what will she do? Refurbish an old genteel house on the coast and turn it in to a small hotel.
And that is where the story begins. Sort of. Binchy has a great way of layering different perspectives on top on one another. As Chicky's story ends it is time to tell Rigger's story - the wayward son of Chicky's best friend. And this story takes us a bit closer to the week in winter when Stone House will open. Then it is Orla, Chicky's favorite niece's story. And finally it is the stories of the guests who arrive that very first week in winter. Each arriving with their own lives of passion and boredom and intrigue and quiet. Each a bit apprehensive, a bit concerned, a bit frazzled, and a bit overwhelmed at the healing sounds the ocean waves create.
Not all the stories end happily - or even end. Rather this feels like we have all been invited on a memorable week vacation - and it is time for us to pick up our own lives again.
I LOVE Binchy!!! Read this one!!
This book did not disappoint! Chicky Starr is content to live her life out in the small Irish community of Stonybridge until a smiling yank sweeps her off her feet and carries her across the ocean to New York City. When that romance fades she can not tell her family what has happened - so she remains in New York creating a story of her life. Over the years she settles in a boarding house and learns the trade and perfects her story - returning home now and again but maintaining the facade. When her favorite niece is ready to come to NY to see the glamorous life her aunt is leading Chicky makes a fateful decision - her husband is suddenly killed in a car accident and she decides to return home. But - what will she do? Refurbish an old genteel house on the coast and turn it in to a small hotel.
And that is where the story begins. Sort of. Binchy has a great way of layering different perspectives on top on one another. As Chicky's story ends it is time to tell Rigger's story - the wayward son of Chicky's best friend. And this story takes us a bit closer to the week in winter when Stone House will open. Then it is Orla, Chicky's favorite niece's story. And finally it is the stories of the guests who arrive that very first week in winter. Each arriving with their own lives of passion and boredom and intrigue and quiet. Each a bit apprehensive, a bit concerned, a bit frazzled, and a bit overwhelmed at the healing sounds the ocean waves create.
Not all the stories end happily - or even end. Rather this feels like we have all been invited on a memorable week vacation - and it is time for us to pick up our own lives again.
I LOVE Binchy!!! Read this one!!
keen23's review against another edition
4.0
A typical Binchy. Probably a nostalgically high 4 star rating, since this is her last book.
bostonkatreads's review against another edition
4.0
This was not the speed of my usual read. I’m glad I was listening to the audiobook, I think it would have felt more tedious to read the text. I did end up liking the characters and their stories, though there are a LOT of names to keep up with. The important ones stick after awhile though. I listened to this for a new local women’s book club that I joined.
dunnadam's review against another edition
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