Rating: 
Summary: read it...
Review: This book was a beautiful story with beautiful characters. I was more than disappointed by the movie, I was angry... Hollywood changed the entire ending -- and the purpose -- of this wonderful book about taking charge of your own life
Rating: 
Summary: An enchanting novel that was surpassed by the movie.
Review: Circle of Friends is a pleasant novel chock full of
believable characters. This novel has a comfortable pace
marred by a few sluggish portions and confusing flashbacks.
It is a shame that the film version of this story is much
better than the novel itself. The ending is much more satisfying and true to the characters created by Maeve Binchey.
Rating:
Summary: It kept me up until 4 a.m.
Review: I've read almost all of Maeve Binchy's books, and this is by far my favourite. I could not get the characters out of my mind. In fact, I kept turning pages until 4 a.m. Much better than the movie, which has a very "Hollywood" ending
Rating:
Summary: Richness of characters is wonderful
Review: This was a well-written book that every woman should read.
The richness of the characters and the interactions between
them are wonderful.
The growth in Benny is a learning experience for the reader.
It's a delight to follow her from an insecure child to
a woman who realizes she doesn't need a relationship with
a man to validate her as a person.
Bravo Ms. Binchy!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent !!!
Review: I loved this book. I started reading it and could not put it down until I had finished it. Benny is a heroine that the average women can identify with.
This book is one of the best written books that I have read in a long time. Mauve makes the characters truly recognizeable to people who we all have met or have come across in our lives.
Rating:
Summary: It is a page turner and it isn't even a thriller!
Review: This book has taught me a new way to look at life. This is because I can relate to Benny (the main chacter)and all she has to go through.The author does such a great job at describing the Irish country side that I felt like I was actually their.If you have seen the movie and have not read the book, then you have missed alot!
Rating:
Summary: Irish romance is similar to American: messy!
Review: Beautiful, thoughtful book on rites of passage and relationships. Perfect for a quiet weekend read.
Rating:
Summary: How can you NOT love this book?
Review: I don't think there is anything "typical" about this book. I do, however, think that it's characters reflect the time it takes place in. If the friendships seem "too perfect", that's probably pretty accurate. 1959 in Ireland was (I'm guessing, here) probably a much simpler time- before the A-bomb or AIDS, when drinking every night wasn't constituted alcoholism, when kids could play outside all night long without parents having to worry about kidnapping, and every girl had an ideal image of what her grown-up life would be. I enjoyed the book much more than the movie (as I usually do) because it thouroughly explained why Nan Mahon was the way she was, and why she could seemingly be so cold-hearted in her actions. It also helped us to understand why Benny was kind to a fault, and why most people never gave her much thought. I truly love Maeve Binchy's books. She's a smart woman- she writes about what she knows, and it shows in her novels. If you've ever thought the person you had a crush on was out of your reach, you have to read this book. Inspiring and entertaining.
Rating:
Summary: Too good to miss
Review: Let me begin by stating that objectively, I do not think this book is a work of "great literature". I find the writing style to be questionable at times, the moralistic attitude smothering, and am frankly rather annoyed by Binchy's one-sided approach to the Catholic-Protestant turmoil that rips at Ireland's seams.But oh, how I love this book. I find myself picking it up over and over again. It's a beautiful coming-of-age story tracing the friendship of two fascinating girls. It pinpoints the sometimes destructive nature of love with absolute clarity. Furthermore, Binchy has breathed life into an entire town of secondary characters, creating a novel rich in stroy-telling and in life. A caution - the movie version of the book starring Chris O'Donnell and Minnie Driver was a despicable act of butchery. The changed, Hollywoodized ending of the movie version was unforgivable. If you love this book, avoid the movie. If you loved the moive, read the book, and you'll see what audience members were missing.
Rating:
Summary: Much better than the movie
Review: If you liked the movie of "Circle of Friends," you will love the book. I enjoyed this book the first time I read it. But, to my surprise, I found it doesn't get stale with repeated readings. This is one of my favorite "read-again" books. The story and the characters are what make both the book and the movie entertaining. But, what makes the book so great is the stuff that was left out of the movie. The histories and families of Benny, Nan and Jack are described in more detail. But, the best is what Maeve Binchy provides in her story for Eve. We see more into her life with the nuns. And, Eve's situation when she goes to college adds to her character, personality and gives Eve a wonderful new relationship. Eve lives and works in the house of a woman who provides room and board for college boys and who just lost her son. Their relationship adds a wonderful sub-plot to this book (which unfortunately was cut from the movie). "Circle of Friends" differs from the movie in several other respects. Benny and Eve don't meet Nan until college. Characters not in the book compete with Benny for Jack's affection. Eve forms a wonderful relationship with Simon's little sister. And, the end is much different. Read the book and discover all the wonderful characters and plot the movie didn't share.
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