Rating: 
Summary: Plodding...This is no Glass Lake
Review: Typically, Maeve Binchy unravels her characters lives in such a way that the reader is practically forced to enter the story. With this sad collection of short stories centered around the many facets of travel, the frequent Binchy reader may well be disappointed. It is hard to "feel" a character in a 6-7 page story, though some writers have the gift that allows this to happen. Unfortunately, Maeve fails at this feat and I find myself finishing the book simply on principal. Binchy fans should stick to her old standbys like Glass Lake, Firefly Summer and Circle of Friends.
Rating: 
Summary: A book of great stories
Review: When I first started reading this book, I never realized it was one of short stories. As usual Maeve Binchy fleshes out the characters and you can understand very quickly what is going on.What I like about each of these stories, is that it shows a point of view, of a character at a pin point of time. That pin point of time, is a crossroads. They can opt to continue on, in their well worn rut or they can make decisions that change their lives. These are not earthshattering choices, but ones that define their character. If you don't want to settle into a book that will take a while to read, and you've never read Maeve Binchy, here is a good taste. I liked it especially well, as when I read it, I had little time available to read, it gave me just enough story to ponder on, each time I read. Excellent bunch of stories.
Rating:
Summary: A book of great stories
Review: When I first started reading this book, I never realized it was one of short stories. As usual Maeve Binchy fleshes out the characters and you can understand very quickly what is going on. What I like about each of these stories, is that it shows a point of view, of a character at a pin point of time. That pin point of time, is a crossroads. They can opt to continue on, in their well worn rut or they can make decisions that change their lives. These are not earthshattering choices, but ones that define their character. If you don't want to settle into a book that will take a while to read, and you've never read Maeve Binchy, here is a good taste. I liked it especially well, as when I read it, I had little time available to read, it gave me just enough story to ponder on, each time I read. Excellent bunch of stories.
Rating: 
Summary: Travelling Lessons
Review: Whenever I pick up a Maeve Binchy story, I feel I am visiting an old friend. Although The Return Journey is no exception, it is different from her other books as it contains ten short stories. These 10 little nuggets are enjoyable in an easy reading sort of way. Each story revolves around a trip and lessons people learn about others and themselves when travelling. This book will appeal mainly to women. It would be a good book to take to the beach or for someone who has time for only a little reading in one sitting.
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