Maeve Binchy: Three Complete Books : The Lilac Bus; Firefly Summer; Silveer Wedding

Rating:
Summary: An excellent series of Binchy all in one book.
Review: I have been a fan of Binchy after having been introduced to her books 2 years ago by my Grandaughter. "Lilac Bus" at first seemed disjointed and confusing but as I got into the book it became more and more interesting. I liked the fact that it was a group of short stories that you could read put down and then pick up again later without having to look back to refresh your memory. When you realize that this is a story of a group who each week-end return to their hometown and the involvement in their lives and how it relates to the others the story grabs
your interest and holds it to the end. "Firefly Summer" is an exceptional story and very suspensful. I had trouble putting the book down and found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning. The story intrigues to the point you want it to end so you can find out what happens and at the same time you feel you do not want it to end but want it to go on forever. I felt it compared to her "Tara Road." After finishing the story I was still living in the setting for the next 24 hours. "Silver Wedding" the third story in this group did not engage my interest as much until I was well into but in the end it also was well worth the read. I highly recommend this book whether you have ever read Binchy before or not read these. I am now purchasing this series in audio book form for my Grandaughter who is a student in Ireland and has been very ill and must rest and recover her strength. I feel these stories will provide her with entertainment and relaxation during this time. I have yet to read a Binchy book I did not like. I have now read 5 of her books.

Rating:
Summary: An excellent series of Binchy all in one book.
Review: I have been a fan of Binchy after having been introduced to her books 2 years ago by my Grandaughter. "Lilac Bus" at first seemed disjointed and confusing but as I got into the book it became more and more interesting. I liked the fact that it was a group of short stories that you could read put down and then pick up again later without having to look back to refresh your memory. When you realize that this is a story of a group who each week-end return to their hometown and the involvement in their lives and how it relates to the others the story grabs
your interest and holds it to the end. "Firefly Summer" is an exceptional story and very suspensful. I had trouble putting the book down and found myself reading into the wee hours of the morning. The story intrigues to the point you want it to end so you can find out what happens and at the same time you feel you do not want it to end but want it to go on forever. I felt it compared to her "Tara Road." After finishing the story I was still living in the setting for the next 24 hours. "Silver Wedding" the third story in this group did not engage my interest as much until I was well into but in the end it also was well worth the read. I highly recommend this book whether you have ever read Binchy before or not read these. I am now purchasing this series in audio book form for my Grandaughter who is a student in Ireland and has been very ill and must rest and recover her strength. I feel these stories will provide her with entertainment and relaxation during this time. I have yet to read a Binchy book I did not like. I have now read 5 of her books.

Rating:
Summary: A great collection of stories
Review: I liked Maeve Binchy before, but I am even more of a fan after buying this set. Unfortunately because I am such a busy person this book took me just over a year to finish! But I loved every page and would definitely give it a re-read.
The three novels in this book are all distinctly different and, in my view, each deserve their own little mini-review:
THE LILAC BUS - Since I read this a year ago, the finer details are lost on me. But I did like how this novel focuses on so many characters and yet you get to feel like you know each one. And I loved how each character viewed each scene differently. You read one chapter and you see one person's point of view, and then you read the next and you get completely different thoughts on the situation. Only Ms. Binchy could keep tabs on so many characters so skillfully. And all I can say about DUBLIN FOUR is that I had to flip through it a little to remember what it was even about, so obviously it's not as stellar as its counterpart. 4 stars total.
FIREFLY SUMMER - A great book all around. It's easily the longest story of the three (it's almost 500 pages, compared to 200 for The Lilac Bus and 150 for Silver Wedding) but once you get going, you don't even notice the book's length. The characters are so genuine, and you are upset to see them go at the end. The main plot is very thick, and yet you enjoy reading all the little sub-plots that go along with it. I actually cried reading some parts of this book! The book ends as you hope it will but not in the manner that you expect! So will Patrick's hotel succeed? You'll just have to read it and find out! 5 stars.
SILVER WEDDING - is the freshest in my mind because I just finished it. It is similar to The Lilac Bus in that it devotes each chapter to a character. But while The Lilac Bus follows the characters through the same moments of time, each chapter in Silver Wedding is a distinct moment. For instance, when you read about Anna (chapter 1) it is months before the anniversary, but when you read about Deirdre (chapter 8), it's a few weeks before. The more you read, the more you find out about the wedding itself and the people involved. However, I found that although there were plenty of sub-plots to keep the story going, the main plot was not very well developed or interesting (ok, so they're having a party, and Deirdre's the only one who's truly excited... you almost get that from page one, why keep going?). And the characters themselves aren't as "3-dimensional" as they are in Ms. Binchy's other stories. I really expected more, but it still wasn't a waste of time. 3 stars.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely three of the finest books I've ever read.
Review: Maeve brings her characters to life in every single one of her stories - so much so that when the story has ended, you are almost angry that there isn't more to read. I felt like I knew the people she was writing about - and that the friendships needed to keep developing, but the last page was turned, and it was over. Maeve - I will read every single book you have written, and I'm sure I will love them all. (And this from a mostly non-fiction reader). Bravo.