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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
I really have become a fan of Maeve so I cannot help but read all of her novels even though they are undeniably long. But I have to admit that although I enjoyed reading this, it cannot be compared to her other works.
I first read this book in 1989 when it was first published and my copy was read so often that it was very tattered and worn. I think this was my favourite of all the books I owned by Binchy. I found myself transported to the mid-century Irish village of Mountfern, with all its uncertainties, family, coming of age, and love.
It was a summer of warmth.... Kate Ryan and her husband, John, have a rollicking pub in the Irish village of Mountfern... lovely twelve-year-old twins... and such wonderful dreams.... It was a summer of innocence...
But all that is about to change this fateful summer of 1962 when American millionaire Patrick O'Neill comes to town with his irresistible charm and a pocketful of money... when love and hate vie for a town's quiet heart and old traditions begin to crumble away.... It was a summer of love that would never come again.... A time that has been captured forever in Maeve Binchy's compelling family drama... a novel you will never forget.
I loved the characters, the story drew me in and I wanted to know what they were feeling and what would happen to them. Highly recommend
It was a summer of warmth.... Kate Ryan and her husband, John, have a rollicking pub in the Irish village of Mountfern... lovely twelve-year-old twins... and such wonderful dreams.... It was a summer of innocence...
But all that is about to change this fateful summer of 1962 when American millionaire Patrick O'Neill comes to town with his irresistible charm and a pocketful of money... when love and hate vie for a town's quiet heart and old traditions begin to crumble away.... It was a summer of love that would never come again.... A time that has been captured forever in Maeve Binchy's compelling family drama... a novel you will never forget.
I loved the characters, the story drew me in and I wanted to know what they were feeling and what would happen to them. Highly recommend
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
emotional
slow-paced
The July pick for the @maevebinchybookclub was Firefly Summer and as per usual I started this one right at the end of July, not leaving myself much time to read this massive book at around 900 pages. Although it wasn't my favourite Maeve Binchy book, I still enjoyed this one which is set in Mountfern and follows the lives of all the people of the village. As you can imagine when the book follows the perspective of a whole village there were a lot of characters to remember in this one! I did at times get a little confused but it's easy to remember the main characters as they constantly appear throughout. The book is set in 1962, when an Irish American millionaire Patrick O'Neill comes to town to rebuild the local manor house ruin. We see the tensions and relationships between the locals and this outsider and how that develops over time. Full of family and local village drama throughout.
I do feel in this book that the character development was done well and you got more of an insight into the characters in comparison to some of Binchys earlier work. In particular I loved the characters of Kate and Rachel.
Overall, a nice cosy read if you enjoy small town stories with lots of characters.
I do feel in this book that the character development was done well and you got more of an insight into the characters in comparison to some of Binchys earlier work. In particular I loved the characters of Kate and Rachel.
Overall, a nice cosy read if you enjoy small town stories with lots of characters.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated