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Summary: Evening Class
Review: The new Signora moves into town... It is a mystery to the town folks where she is from and a mystery as to why she is able to speak Italian so well. Because she is single and lonely, she begins to start teaching Italian classes at the local college. The classes make her relive her life when she was younger and lived in Italy. They bring back fond memories of being in love. The classes change her life; they give new meaning and purpose to her present life. Soon after, through many twists of fate she comes together with Aidan Dunne, a teacher, who is surviving in a life-less marriage...One of my favorite books of all time... The plot is simply amazing. Maeve Binchy is the master!
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Summary: Maeve Binchy, always a GREAT READ !
Review: This is one of my favourite books of all time. I work in a public library and I constantly recommend this book to customers. We have never had one customer return "Evening class" who did not enjoy it thoroughly. It is vintage Binchy, with a number of characters whose lives intertwine in various subtle ways. As usual, we learn not to judge others and make assumptions about their lives based solely on appearances. She is a wonderful Irish writer who is able to convey the way of life in Ireland through the written word. I have been to Ireland 14 times in 30 years and her language and descriptions are spot on. Having read thirteen Maeve Binchy novels, only two disappointed. "Silver wedding" just couldn't catch my attention. "Tara Road", her latest, was good but I felt the second half was much more interesting than the first. More pages, in my humble opinion, should have been dedicated to the main characters AFTER they swapped homes. Still, I love Maeve Binchy books. Ninety percent of the novels I read are by British female authors and, for pure enjoyment and "feel good" reads, it is a tie between Binchy and Rosamunde Pilcher. With Pilcher's retirement from writing (although son Robin's first novel was very good!), long live, and write, Maeve!
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Summary: Left Me Feeling Incomplete-Could Have Been Better
Review: Evening Class was interesting enough to keep on reading through it to see what happens. Each chapter begins with another character telling their life story. Aidan Dunne is the first character in the story. He is unhappy in his life with his now two grown daughters, and distanced from his wife. When the evening class came along, it brightened his spirits; especially with the instructor Signora. Signora is quite an eccentric. The instructor of the evening class, she makes italian fun and exciting to learn for the students. Other characters are Bill, Laddy, and Connie. All have lives that will intertwine with one another in different ways. The story on each though, is incomplete. That's what made the book not so good.
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Summary: A treat- light,sweet, somewhat guilty pleasure
Review: This is warm and somewhat simple, very predictable read. The characters are many and their relationships take curious and quirky twists and turns. It is a sweet story with a few well placed character studies and lots of delicious seductive surprises. Although not WAR AND PEACE, it is a plesurable book to read, and even moreso the second time. Enjoy!
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