Light a Penny Candle

Rating:
Summary: Quite a disappointing read
Review: I found this novel by Binchy to be quite disappointing. I kept reading in the hopes that it would turn around at some point. I felt the characters' friendship could have been more developed in the beginning. By the end of the novel their whole characterization had gone down hill, I think she supstitued two new personalities for Elizabeth and Aisling. Not to mention the dismal view the author must hold of marriage. I mean really, it's not that bad every time around.

Rating:
Summary: One of the Best novels I've ever read
Review: This is my favorite Maeve Binchy novel and one of my favorite stories. It explores a beautiful friendship between two girls who grow up together and are influenced by a volitile world and rather different family situations.

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing fare from a wonderful writer
Review: I liked this book at first, until the last part got really depressing and I found myself just plowing through it. Binchy doesn't exactly write happy-go-lucky stories, but this one takes the cake for melodramatic plotlines. I found myself completely losing sympathy for Elizabeth. If you're looking for a GOOD Binchy novel, try "The Glass Lake" or "Circle of Friends".

Rating:
Summary: I read this book while on holiday in Ireland
Review: I had read Evening Class and Tara Road and those books, as well as Angela's Ashes, influenced a decision to visit Ireland on holidays. I read this book while travelling and it was very enjoyable. The Irish spirit was well captured in this book and the characters in this novel are full-bodied and captivating. This is her first, not her best, novel but is well worth the read.

Rating:
Summary: Wonderful!
Review: I have read one other book of Maeve Binchy's (Tara Road) which led me to read another. This one was just as wonderful as the first and now I'm on to the next. The characters and story telling make you feel you are a part of their world which is what makes her books, so far, hard to put down!

Rating:
Summary: A most heart-warming story
Review: This is the first book I have read from Binchy, and I found the first three parts to be wonderful and sad at the same time. It was terribly hard to pry myself away. However, when I got to the end, after Elizabeth's marriage and Aisling's move to London, the book took on a different sound, as if another author had taken over. All in all, I truly did like the book and hope to read more by this wonderful author.

Rating:
Summary: A great book.
Review: I loved every moment of this book and often found it very difficult to put it down. Binchy is an expert storyteller who involves the reader in her tales of everyday life. Aisling and Elizabeth are fantastic characters who I found it very easy to relate to and this further enhanced my enjoyment of the book. This book, along with Firefly Summer and The Glass Lake is one of my favorite yet.

Rating:
Summary: A most disappointing book by a great author
Review: The first half of the book is great. However, the second half (after Elizabeth gets back to London) is getting worse and worse, the more you read. The end is disappointing, as everybody seems to go mad and out of character : Elizabeth and Aisling act in a way completely unrelated to their previous behaviours. A huge disappointment, as the author writes so well and wittingly she could certainly put her talent to better use.

Rating:
Summary: The book was very interesting and excellent!!
Review: This book was very interesting. It was the only book I have read by Binchy, but I plan on reading many more. I enjoyed it very much, and I hope you will to.

Rating:
Summary: Binchy's worst
Review: Love Maeve! But this book goes into a downward spiral. The early part of the book was great until Elizabeth turned into such a nitwit; thank God Aisling held it afloat.