Most helpful customer reviews
|
|
4.0 out of 5 stars
Multinational Twists on The Bridge of San Luis Rey, Aug 28 2006
If you are looking for a classic Maeve Binchy novel about modern times and problems in Dublin, Nights of Rain and Stars will be a disappointment. The Irish connection is there, but it's weaker than the Greek connection. I listened to the Audio CD version and found that the dramatic reading by Ms. Terry Donnelly took an average (at best) novel and made it reasonably entertaining. This is not a book you want to read. Listen to the recording instead. Trust me on that.
As the book opens a small group of travelers find themselves at a hilltop taverna in Aghia Anna, Greece run by an older man, Andreas who pines for his missing son, Adonas. As they overlook the sea, all are aghast as a tourist boat burns with grisly results. All of the tourists think, what if? They had earlier been out on that boat. The shared reaction to the tragedy causes them to cling to one another and to re-examine their lives. A powerful chain of circumstances is set off when Andreas insists that they each call their loved ones to let them know that they are safe so the news reports won't be frightening.
The diners are the beautiful, famous Elsa from Germany who is fleeing from a lover who has disappointed her; Fiona, an Irish nurse who has cast off her job to be with the man of her dreams, Shane; Shane, an Irish caricature of the unfeeling brute of a young man who is only interested in himself and wants no responsibilities; David, a gentle young Englishman who wants to escape from running the family business; and Thomas, a divorced American professor who wants to give his young son, Bill, space to get used to his new step-father, Andy.
The characters are all quite shallow and follow trite formulas in the plot that keep them from being objective about themselves.
Ms. Binchy introduces one interesting character though, the Irishwoman Vonnie, who has lived in Aghia Anna for over 30 years and has a secret past full of despair and disappointment. Vonnie gives the other characters frequent pieces of her mind that help set them onto the right paths for each of them. The message seems to be that without a guide in our life, we will make quite a mess of our loving relations.
If you don't mind superficial characters and a mostly trite story, you'll certainly feel happy with how the characters go about improving their lives. If you also use the book to inspire yourself to think about what you need to change about your life, you will gain more benefit.
I found that Ms. Donnelly's reading made the thin characters come to life through their varying, well-produced accents and different speaking cadences. The only weakness in her reading is that occasionally she uses her lovely Irish accent for someone who isn't Irish, such as David.
If you are like me, you'll be yearning for another Tara Road after reading this book. The trend of disappointing stories since that one continues.
|
|
|
1.0 out of 5 stars
A Bunny Book, Jun 16 2006
What do I mean by a bunny book, full of fluff, cute and adorable. I had to read this for my bookclub, so also was sadly committed to finishing it. I'm an avid reader, but had a hard time getting into this book...the first 200 pages took forever, as I would fall asleep after reading 2 or 3 pages.
On top of being boring, the characters are not developed well(flat) too many "eye rolling" conveniences, and no emotion or feeling.
This is the 3rd Binchy book I've tried, and worst by far. The other two were not much better. My club members almost had me convinced to read Tara Road, as they said it was by far a way better book. I decided to give that one a try, but after reading the 1, 2, and 3 star reviews,I think this Binchy book will be my last...a big thanks to the Tara Road reviewers.
|
|
|
4.0 out of 5 stars
Really Enjoyed It...., Jun 7 2005
By A Customer
Great novel, great group of characters... most of her stories take place in dublin, so it was a very nice change and refreshing to read about characters who were from different geographical locations(german,british,american,irish).. even the setting was different(greece).
I really enjoyed readingt his one... perhaps not her best, but a close second ;)
|
|
|
Most recent customer reviews
|
by Maeve Binchy
by Maeve Binchy
by Maeve Binchy
by Maeve Binchy
by Maeve Binchy
