Rating: 
Summary: Profound and simple
Review: A while ago a friend of mine finished The Copper Beech, sighed deeply, handed it to me and said, "what a good story." I finally opened it when I was lying in a hospital bed, out of my mind to be more active and casting about for something in which to lose myself. This book was the perfect solution.There is nothing tricky or academic about this story which centers around a schoolhouse shaded by a copper beech in a small Irish town. The characters' stories are sweet and funny and occasionally very touching. The people in Shancarrig all want something out of their lives and have the often unclear task of making a life out of difficult situations. On their way, they experience unrequited love, death, adultery (Binchy is adroit enough not to judge too harshly) and murder. Among the local characters are schoolteachers, a doctor, priests (although this is an Irish town, these priests having nothing in common with Father Ted...), a housekeeper, innkeeper and a rogue. Although each story seems to be told separately, the tales intertwine beautifully and simply. Some reading experiences, like certain days in the years, are both profound and simple. Reading The Copper Beech was like that.
Rating:
Summary: Profound and simple
Review: A while ago a friend of mine finished The Copper Beech, sighed deeply, handed it to me and said, "what a good story." I finally opened it when I was lying in a hospital bed, out of my mind to be more active and casting about for something in which to lose myself. This book was the perfect solution. There is nothing tricky or academic about this story which centers around a schoolhouse shaded by a copper beech in a small Irish town. The characters' stories are sweet and funny and occasionally very touching. The people in Shancarrig all want something out of their lives and have the often unclear task of making a life out of difficult situations. On their way, they experience unrequited love, death, adultery (Binchy is adroit enough not to judge too harshly) and murder. Among the local characters are schoolteachers, a doctor, priests (although this is an Irish town, these priests having nothing in common with Father Ted...), a housekeeper, innkeeper and a rogue. Although each story seems to be told separately, the tales intertwine beautifully and simply. Some reading experiences, like certain days in the years, are both profound and simple. Reading The Copper Beech was like that.
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming Stories
Review: After reading some of Maeve's so-so works, I am pleased to announce this one is of better quality than "Silver Wedding" and "Lilac Bus." This is a bunch of short stories of the people who live and grew up in Shancarrig. They all attended school in the village and the school is nestled beneath the shade of a great big copper beech tree. There is a story about the local doctor, the local priest, the schoolteachers, the poor kids and so forth. Maeve weaves her spell again ~~ all you can do is give into her spell and read about ordinary people living ordinary lives with the occassional surprises and revelations. It's a lovely book to snuggle with by the fire on a blustering cold winter day. And this time, Maeve writes more thoroughly of the characters, not cutting off their stories so abruptly like several of her books have been. You can tell she really thought the characters out and how their stories entwined together like any other villages or towns. It's a wonderful book to read ~~ I wouldn't hesitate reading this one again! 1-12-04
Rating:
Summary: Heartwarming Stories
Review: After reading some of Maeve's so-so works, I am pleased to announce this one is of better quality than "Silver Wedding" and "Lilac Bus." This is a bunch of short stories of the people who live and grew up in Shancarrig. They all attended school in the village and the school is nestled beneath the shade of a great big copper beech tree. There is a story about the local doctor, the local priest, the schoolteachers, the poor kids and so forth. Maeve weaves her spell again ~~ all you can do is give into her spell and read about ordinary people living ordinary lives with the occassional surprises and revelations. It's a lovely book to snuggle with by the fire on a blustering cold winter day. And this time, Maeve writes more thoroughly of the characters, not cutting off their stories so abruptly like several of her books have been. You can tell she really thought the characters out and how their stories entwined together like any other villages or towns. It's a wonderful book to read ~~ I wouldn't hesitate reading this one again! 1-12-04
Rating: 
Summary: Not the usual Binchy
Review: Although the story was a good one, it was not the usual Maeve Binchy. The mini character stories were choppy and not developed in the usual Binchy fashion. I did not feel like I knew the characters as well as the other Binchy books.
Rating:
Summary: Maeve up to Her usual tricks!!
Review: I adore Maeve Binchy. I have Found all her books wonder ful, some leave a bit to be desired while other are brilliant and moving. This one had elements of both. Some stories were intriguing while others seemed to be trying too hard.
Rating:
Summary: Very Cute!!!
Review: I am a very selective reader, but I really did enjoy reading "The Copper Beech". I liked how the chapters were assigned to different characters, through that you got to know the town & see their lives through every angle.I do regret that I owned this book for 2 years before I made myself read it,it was very good, and I should have read it sooner. This book was filled with wonderful stories that were truly moving. I got caught up in them---they were so inventive. I would absolutely recommend this book--I love Maeve & it was very good!!!
Rating: 
Summary: A Wonderful Book About Friendship
Review: I can't say enough good things about The Copper Beech. I loved the characters, and most of their stories left me filled with joy. Reading this book should remind us all what it was like growing up, and for some, bring back some nice memories. Maeve Binchy has once again captured the true spirit of those she writes about. I highly recommend this feel-good novel.
Rating:
Summary: Maeve Binchy makes me want to travel to Ireland
Review: I discovered Maeve Binchy some years ago :-). Saw Tara Road on the shelves in my favorite book store here in Norway and it called out to me. Bought it, took it home and became an addicted Maeve Binchy fan. Since then I have read most of her books. Not many have been available here in my town in Norway, but I have bought some online and also found a couple at my local library. It was a big surprise though when I some time ago found a used copy of The Copper Bech at a local secondhand book store.
I finished The Copper Beech today, after getting deeply involved in the characters in the book.
The Copper Beech is set in Ireland like most of Binchy's books. Outside a small countryside school stands a copper beech, and once eight children carved their names in this tree. The children come from different backgrouds, what units them is the Shancarrig school where they all have spent an important part of their past. The book tells different stories, all about these kids and their life. It is a book about love and death, about daily life and about extraordinary events. Maeve Binchy is a master to tell a story the way you know it could have happend, her characters could me my neighbours, or yours for that. And at the same time she shows that there are extraordinary stories to be covered everywhere, in everybody's lives.
Though this is not my favorite Maeve Bincy, so far Evening Class holds that possition, I love the book. It has it's place on the shelves in my growing collection of Maeve Binchy books, and passing the shelves glimpsing the books I know I have hours of cozy hours ahead of me if or rather when I want to read them over again. I'm glad I still have some unread Maeve Bincy books to look forward to, Scarlet Feather on top of that list.
Happy reading
Rating:
Summary: Very Sweet Book
Review: I do rather think that the copper beech tree would have succumbed long ago to all those inroads on its bark. The book is that kind of interweaving story that I like so much. And Binchy succeeds in it very well. She makes a small village and its inhabitants come alive. Sex is there, but it's not detailed or obtrusive. And she moves among and between, about and around, her characters well. There is tension built within each chapter - which is about one person - and across the chapters. Her characters are fairly sharp. And everybody does not come to a happy ending. Although I find the marriage of Gloria Darcey a little hard to believe. For all of that, it is a light, enjoyable novel. There was, for all its problems, a simpler life in that Irish village. I sometimes wish for it.
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