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jellicle's review against another edition
5.0
My second favorite Maeve book. A delightful story of how an adult education class transforms the lives of its students as well as the two teachers. I want to take a class like that!
carolyngrace's review against another edition
hopeful
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? No
3.0
anniekayefic's review against another edition
5.0
Does any author weave a tale like Maeve Binchy? She brings individual, seemingly disparate strands together into a fabric that is rich, textured and beautiful. Her characters are real, interesting and multi-faceted individuals. I enjoyed this book so much. I loved how in each part we saw characters we already knew, from another's point of view, and each segment advanced the plot without running over ground that had already been covered. Connie's and Fran's lives were particularly fascinating to me. I give this book my highest recommendation. :)
sar_19's review against another edition
4.0
I reread this because I was feeling nostalgic for Maeve Binchy and I did enjoy her earlier novels. This one is a good one with interlocking stories and characters. It is comfort food for a rainy afternoon and a dreary winter day. The good guys win, love conquers all and the meanies get their just rewards.
Another reread. This good is my go-to comfort food. Love her characters.
Another reread. This good is my go-to comfort food. Love her characters.
lexgeist's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
awe, what a sweet sweet read.
carka88's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite Maeve Binchy book. I read this in 3 days; I couldn't get the characters out of my head and I was captivated by the way she wove each life into the next.
Reading it again, I changed to 4 stars. Still really liked it, but perhaps because it was a re-read, it was more predictable, even though it had been more than 10 years since I first read it.
Reading it again, I changed to 4 stars. Still really liked it, but perhaps because it was a re-read, it was more predictable, even though it had been more than 10 years since I first read it.
shubhi's review against another edition
1.0
1. One trope I hate is where everyone magically loves this one 'whimsical' character.. for no apparent reason. Just love how quirky she is and suddenly everyone's life improves and their attitudes change and whatnot. If you don't like that trope either then I suggest you let this book rest on the bookshelves.
2. It's not devotion to follow your ex to an unknown city and live in front of his house, right in front of his new wife and kids, no matter how well-meaning you are. It's creepy and intrusive.
3. For a book that's supposed to be cozy and warm and feel-good, everyone sure had shitty lives, which magically became great after joining this Italian evening class. If the focus was more on how they worked on changing their lives, perhaps it would be more engaging.
Spoiler Alert: The next 2 points contains spoilers.
4. There's this one girl Fiona who is mousy and has no opinions etc, and blames her lack of personality on her parents. Then she meets this guy she wants to impress. Then in one night she manages to change her entire personality - no roadblocks, just turning into a different person altogether. Then she endears herself to his mom which seems like the only explanation why he's suddenly in love with her - because they're barely shows to be spending any time together otherwise. I don't even know why she exists in this book at all.
5. Aidan Dunne, the unhappily married professor is basically having an affair with this quirky lady who everyone is in love with. He's not cheating on his wife but essentially he is in love with this other woman which by all intents is a form of cheating. His wife on the other hand is actively cheating on him. Yes that's bad and all but let's remember they have an unhappy marriage and both are in some form cheating on the other. Unfortunately, Aidan Dunne is glorified for this and his wife is made out to be a dirty hag and a bitch for doing the same. The man she was cheating with is also married and treats his wife terribly, much more terribly than Mrs Dunne treats her husband.. but his adultery is never described as awful, just a problem that needs to be dealt with. Any other side characters cheating on their wives are never vilified for the act of cheating.. they're not shown in a good light but somehow the cheating part is just a matter-of-fact thing. I'm not a fan of the blatant sexism either.
2. It's not devotion to follow your ex to an unknown city and live in front of his house, right in front of his new wife and kids, no matter how well-meaning you are. It's creepy and intrusive.
3. For a book that's supposed to be cozy and warm and feel-good, everyone sure had shitty lives, which magically became great after joining this Italian evening class. If the focus was more on how they worked on changing their lives, perhaps it would be more engaging.
Spoiler Alert: The next 2 points contains spoilers.
4. There's this one girl Fiona who is mousy and has no opinions etc, and blames her lack of personality on her parents. Then she meets this guy she wants to impress. Then in one night she manages to change her entire personality - no roadblocks, just turning into a different person altogether. Then she endears herself to his mom which seems like the only explanation why he's suddenly in love with her - because they're barely shows to be spending any time together otherwise. I don't even know why she exists in this book at all.
5. Aidan Dunne, the unhappily married professor is basically having an affair with this quirky lady who everyone is in love with. He's not cheating on his wife but essentially he is in love with this other woman which by all intents is a form of cheating. His wife on the other hand is actively cheating on him. Yes that's bad and all but let's remember they have an unhappy marriage and both are in some form cheating on the other. Unfortunately, Aidan Dunne is glorified for this and his wife is made out to be a dirty hag and a bitch for doing the same. The man she was cheating with is also married and treats his wife terribly, much more terribly than Mrs Dunne treats her husband.. but his adultery is never described as awful, just a problem that needs to be dealt with. Any other side characters cheating on their wives are never vilified for the act of cheating.. they're not shown in a good light but somehow the cheating part is just a matter-of-fact thing. I'm not a fan of the blatant sexism either.