Scan barcode
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
4.0
If you like stories with lots of quirky characters who wouldn’t normally be friends coming together for a common goal, you’ll like Evening Class. Maeve Binchy is a name that came up over and over as I searched for Irish authors (in preparation for a recent trip to the Emerald Isle), and I can see why her books are so popular. I loved the warm tone and the generosity she showed her characters, even those who maybe didn’t deserve it. A disheartened teacher sets up a night class for adults in the community who want to learn Italian, with the ultimate goal of a trip to Italy. Not everyone gets along, and it seems everyone has a different motivation for joining the class. Fireworks are inevitable, but the way the classmates support each other and the way learning a new language opens doors for them was lovely to read about.
ob_ledbetter's review against another edition
3.0
Cozy vignettes made for a fun read, but the sheer number of characters became hard to follow halfway through.
leona28's review against another edition
4.0
The October @maevebinchybookclub pick was definitely one of my top Maeve Binchys I have read so far and definitely one of the favourites in the book club too! As always with Maeve this is an easy cosy read with loads of characters and dramas throughout.
Evening class tells the story of various characters in each chapter, as they all start their journey with the evening classes in the local school, an introduction to Italian. Each of the various characters have their own reasons for being there and each have their own dramas in their lives. Each chapter focuses on a new character which does make the chapters quite long in typical Maeve Binchy fashion but still very enjoyable. Each chapter gives us a little background to the character and why they join the classes. Each character has different backgrounds, dreams, social standing and fears and they all throw in together to these classes, where unlikely friendships are formed.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, definitely up there as one of my top Maeve Binchy books with loads of drama throughout and very easy to read!
Evening class tells the story of various characters in each chapter, as they all start their journey with the evening classes in the local school, an introduction to Italian. Each of the various characters have their own reasons for being there and each have their own dramas in their lives. Each chapter focuses on a new character which does make the chapters quite long in typical Maeve Binchy fashion but still very enjoyable. Each chapter gives us a little background to the character and why they join the classes. Each character has different backgrounds, dreams, social standing and fears and they all throw in together to these classes, where unlikely friendships are formed.
Overall I really enjoyed this one, definitely up there as one of my top Maeve Binchy books with loads of drama throughout and very easy to read!
thatbookgal's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
angelinterceptor84's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
leejean's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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
4.0
tpteacher's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second time reading this book and it has been many years in between, but I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. As always, Maeve Binchy is brilliant with her characters and storytelling. I am never disappointed by her books. I also love that many of the characters in this book appear in later novels that she wrote. It’s like meeting up with old friends.