Rating: 
Summary: Best of the 'rites of passage' genre by far
Review: I've read everything Maeve Binchy has written, and in my opinion this is by far the best of her many novels. It's about a group of friends growing up together in a small seaside town in 1950s Ireland. As they get older they discover there are differences of status between their families, and Claire and David, who are beginning to fall in love as teenagers, discover his family is not receptive to their relationship.The story moves on, through their college years and beyond, and along the way Binchy shows the passage of time by subtly blending social and political changes in with the characters' lives. Binchy has fantastic story-telling skills, and these are best exhibited in her earlier books, such as this and Light a Penny Candle; I did find some of her later books a little disappointing.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I must admit that I was rather disappointed by this book. It started off prominsingly enough, we were introduced to intersting characters, each pursuing their own dreams. However, about three quater through the book, it seemed that the story itself was unsure what it wanted itself to be. Was it going to be about dreams, pursing or giving up because of other priorities in life? Was it going to be a romance? Or was it going to become a thriller, with a slightly crazy man pursuing his love? The book tried to bring in a bit of everything and ultimately left all the areas underdeveloped.
Rating:
Summary: A Charming Story
Review: This book started out somewhat slow and I almost took a trip to boreville until about the 60th page or so when it picked up a little. From then on I was hooked! She writes with such a charming flair, that it's hard NOT to like any of her books--and I've got 12 of her books to prove it! I recommend this book very highly...take patience in the beginning, it WILL get better!
Rating:
Summary: Echoes - Another wonderful story by a great story teller.
Review: Echoes, one of Maeve Binchy's earlier novels, is, to my mind, one of her very best. Wonderful characters whom we care about very much and a story which reaches out and brings you in as though you, too, were a resident of Castlebay. Kate Binchy is a marvelous reader and her narration does full justice to this terrific book. In one of the editorial reviews above I noted that Kate Binchy is described as Maeve Binchy's daugther which is a mistake. She is Maeve Binchy's cousin and narrates quite a few of the novels. Echoes is wonderfully read and produced and I strongly recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: My favorite Binchy book!
Review: I consider myself a huge Maeve Binchy fan, and this book by far, was my favorite one. I loved the details that are her trademark. It was a book I devoured in 2 days.
Rating:
Summary: Terrific book
Review: This is the second novel that I have read by this author. I first read Circle of Friends and absolutely loved it. You can't help but get caught up in the characters and their stories. Maive Binchy is a wonderful story-teller. It's a catch-22 with her books...I can't put the book down, yet dread finishing it. Although the plot took some sad (and/or awkward) turns, Claire O'Brien is an unsung hero wise beyond her years.
Rating:
Summary: I ususually LOVE anything by Maeve Binchy...
Review: This book had an underdeveloped plot and was very disapointing to me! I love Maeve Binchy but I'm glad I didn't read this book before reading the Copper Beach, the Glass Lake, and Evening Class, which were all wonderful, or I never would have read another book by her. The characters start out so promising, and then their personalities become completely unpredictable towards the end. I think the plot wasn't well thought out for this novel, because the ending is tragic and severe, comes suddenly and really doesn't make a lot of sense. I recommend people read The Glass Lake, which is one of my favorites, and don't waste your time on this one.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent beginning, but ending just OK
Review: I don't expect a happy ending all the time, but I was rather depressed at the end of this. Clare was on her way to being someone great, and she lets David and his family crush her into the ground! I felt like she had succumbed to the "sterotypical housewife" scenario without so much as a word about her career. Still a great read, though.
Rating: 
Summary: A book to curl up with
Review: This was my third Maeve Binchy experience and by far my favorite. Better than CIRCLE OF FRIENDS or TARA ROAD. A rich story, and wonderfully developed characters. The town of Castlebay is described beautifully, and Clare's experience at the university in Dublin adds a nice variety to the setting. I agree with other reviewers that the ending was not completely satisfying because it left me hanging, but I really did enjoy ECHOES. Pour a cup of tea, curl up with this book and be transported to your own Irish cottage in Castlebay.
Rating:
Summary: Great Story
Review: Another wonderful story by Maeve, a powerful storyteller. I can picture Castlebay in my mind's eye as if I just returned from a summer vacation there. I felt that I was not finished when I turned the last page. Maeve left the future of Clare and David to the reader's imagination. This is my third book by Maeve, and I am reading Evening Class next!
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