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caoimhereadz's review against another edition
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
mum2m1l2c3p4's review
2.0
This book was so depressing. I wish it would be washed away in the waters of Castlebay where all those poor souls were lost.
shoesmcdaid's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
hannahcaldwell14's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a nostalgic read for me. Every time I open the pages, it just feels like home.
theclumsybookworm's review against another edition
3.0
Anyone who knows me knows that I am in love with the world that Binchy so easily creates. So, they may be surprised that I am only giving "Echoes" a 3 out of 5.
While her setting, cast of characters and storytelling abilities are as top-notch as ever, this book left me strangely unsatisfied. My main issue seems to be one that is "echoed" forgive the pun, by many of my fellow reviewers. Mainly that the love story of Clare and David is not given enough time to develop in comparison with the rest of the book.
I'm all for falling in love fast, but their love just didn't seem real to me for most of their relationship. In my opinion, David, who was stifled by his overbearing parents was drawn to Clare because he knew his mother would disapprove. My suspicions of this are given weight by how easily cheats on her with Caroline, and how little regret he feels.
Clare, did eventually prove to me that she loved David, but only after she burned the pictures and was willing to forgive everything. She certainly is an amazing character with rarely paralleled strength.
However, all that being said, even though I know what the final scene of the two leaving Gerry's funeral together was meant to portray, I still can't shake the feeling that the only reason they were sticking it out is to prove to everyone that they weren't wrong.
I wasn't left with a feeling that love conquers all, but more that stubbornness conquers all. While I love the realism, I still am not as enthralled as I wanted to be.
While her setting, cast of characters and storytelling abilities are as top-notch as ever, this book left me strangely unsatisfied. My main issue seems to be one that is "echoed" forgive the pun, by many of my fellow reviewers. Mainly that the love story of Clare and David is not given enough time to develop in comparison with the rest of the book.
I'm all for falling in love fast, but their love just didn't seem real to me for most of their relationship. In my opinion, David, who was stifled by his overbearing parents was drawn to Clare because he knew his mother would disapprove. My suspicions of this are given weight by how easily cheats on her with Caroline, and how little regret he feels.
Clare, did eventually prove to me that she loved David, but only after she burned the pictures and was willing to forgive everything. She certainly is an amazing character with rarely paralleled strength.
However, all that being said, even though I know what the final scene of the two leaving Gerry's funeral together was meant to portray, I still can't shake the feeling that the only reason they were sticking it out is to prove to everyone that they weren't wrong.
I wasn't left with a feeling that love conquers all, but more that stubbornness conquers all. While I love the realism, I still am not as enthralled as I wanted to be.
carhog's review against another edition
5.0
Utter perfection. Beautiful, awful, painful, I will never forget this book.
lpinney12's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bunnyovani's review against another edition
3.0
I found this to be one of the more disappointing Binchy books I've read. It was seriously emotionally exhausting, lots of interesting characters, as most Binchy books, but the main characters ended up in such a miserable situation it bummed me out.
the_naptime_reader's review against another edition
2.0
When I was traveling to Ireland in 2012, someone recommended I read something by Maeve Binchy while I was there. I don’t recall what I read, but I liked it enough to add this book for whatever reason to my to read list.
This book was just ho-hum, it was exceptionally long, with narration that jumped around, and lead to a depressing ending. For all the time I put into its 1,000 pages I don’t think it was worth it ultimately.
This book was just ho-hum, it was exceptionally long, with narration that jumped around, and lead to a depressing ending. For all the time I put into its 1,000 pages I don’t think it was worth it ultimately.