Rating: 
Summary: If you read Tara Road and are hunting for another great
Review: Binchy book, I would not recommend this one. It seemed, in a word, pointless. Tara Road was lively, and this was doom and gloom. No triumphant spirit, no joyous romance--just drudgery. (Definitely not a hospital-reading book.)
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful storytelling
Review: Binchy, Maeve: Firefly Summer
There are no fireflies in Ireland. "I found out why we don't have them in Ireland, I asked, and now I know. They're sort of exotic fireflies, and Ireland is too cold and wet and windy for them. They wouldn't survive here. They wouldn't survive at all." Dara told Kerry as she lay in his arms on the earthen floor of Coyne's Woods. Primarily this story is about two families, the Ryans and the O'Neills, but that's not really true. It's about a village in the Irish midlands, Mountfern, and the River Fern country. But that's only part of it. It's about people, characters, dreams, fantasies, accidents, plans, fears, or, more to the point, life. Across the river from Ryan's public house is Fernscourt, the long ago abandoned and greatly ruined estate of the extinguished gentry. When young Eddie Ryan (8 years old) hears that the American Patrick O'Neill is purchasing Fernscourt he states, "God, isn't he lucky. I'd love to live in a place like that with no roof, and no floors and no wiping your feet." And it's a love story: City girl Kate O'Connell meets and marries villager John Frances Ryan. She - lively, active, assertive. He slow, patient, a poet that owns and runs the generational pub beside the River Fern. They produce the twins, Dara and Michael, the Eddie and Declan. When the twins are nearing 12 years of age enters Partick O'Neill, a widower, with his 11 year old daughter Grace and 14 year old son Kerry, Americans from New Jersey. The events and characters that surround them are multilayered and multifaceted. Our time frame is between the summer of 1962 through the summer of 1966. When we reach November of 1963 I got caught unawares. I found myself shocked as the residents of Mountfern hear the news of John Kennedy's assassination. The tears streaming down my face caused more than a pause. Did that event actually strike others as it did me, an American? Yes, tragedy is that way. Now I was sharply participating in this story. I was especially drawn by the friendship that grows up between the American Rachel Fine and Kate Ryan. True of all the Binchys I've read there is an integrity and insight within this association that warms one's heart. And we mustn't forget Fergus Slattery, the solicitor. He is priceless, irritating, endearing, suspicious of O'Neill at every turn, and more right than wrong even if his motives are questionable. And the development between Kerry O'Neill and Dara Ryan is a foreboding that pushed me through page after page. I cared if this remarkable intelligent beautiful girl was misused or despoiled. Again, Binchy captured me and spun me to another time and another place, almost as if she were telling me about my people, my roots, my dreams - 4 years out of my memory. I think it is impossible to read a Binchy and not care, really care, about these people and their choices. And I finished the book certain that Rachel Fine was sitting in her Manhattan apartment waiting for the dream shattered Patrick O'Neill to return to his senses. And I smiled at John Ryan's loving response to Kate's monumental news, knowing Michael would survive Grace's departure and hoping Sheila Whalen would somehow recognize that Fergus was just the one for her. And Eddie Ryan? Oh, no fear, he's the bravest one of the batch. Of that I'm sure.
Rating:
Summary: The drama of life
Review: Binchy, Maeve: Firefly Summer
There are no fireflies in Ireland. "I found out why we don't have them in Ireland, I asked, and now I know. They're sort of exotic fireflies, and Ireland is too cold and wet and windy for them. They wouldn't survive here. They wouldn't survive at all." Dara told Kerry as she lay in his arms on the earthen floor of Coyne's Woods. Primarily this story is about two families, the Ryans and the O'Neills, but that's not really true. It's about a village in the Irish midlands, Mountfern, and the River Fern country. But that's only part of it. It's about people, characters, dreams, fantasies, accidents, plans, fears, or, more to the point, life. Across the river from Ryan's public house is Fernscourt, the long ago abandoned and greatly ruined estate of the extinguished gentry. When young Eddie Ryan (8 years old) hears that the American Patrick O'Neill is purchasing Fernscourt he states, "God, isn't he lucky. I'd love to live in a place like that with no roof, and no floors and no wiping your feet." And it's a love story: City girl Kate O'Connell meets and marries villager John Frances Ryan. She - lively, active, assertive. He slow, patient, a poet that owns and runs the generational pub beside the River Fern. They produce the twins, Dara and Michael, the Eddie and Declan. When the twins are nearing 12 years of age enters Partick O'Neill, a widower, with his 11 year old daughter Grace and 14 year old son Kerry, Americans from New Jersey. The events and characters that surround them are multilayered and multifaceted. Our time frame is between the summer of 1962 through the summer of 1966. When we reach November of 1963 I got caught unawares. I found myself shocked as the residents of Mountfern hear the news of John Kennedy's assassination. The tears streaming down my face caused more than a pause. Did that event actually strike others as it did me, an American? Yes, tragedy is that way. Now I was sharply participating in this story. I was especially drawn by the friendship that grows up between the American Rachel Fine and Kate Ryan. True of all the Binchys I've read there is an integrity and insight within this association that warms one's heart. And we mustn't forget Fergus Slattery, the solicitor. He is priceless, irritating, endearing, suspicious of O'Neill at every turn, and more right than wrong even if his motives are questionable. And the development between Kerry O'Neill and Dara Ryan is a foreboding that pushed me through page after page. I cared if this remarkable intelligent beautiful girl was misused or despoiled. Again, Binchy captured me and spun me to another time and another place, almost as if she were telling me about my people, my roots, my dreams - 4 years out of my memory. I think it is impossible to read a Binchy and not care, really care, about these people and their choices. And I finished the book certain that Rachel Fine was sitting in her Manhattan apartment waiting for the dream shattered Patrick O'Neill to return to his senses. And I smiled at John Ryan's loving response to Kate's monumental news, knowing Michael would survive Grace's departure and hoping Sheila Whalen would somehow recognize that Fergus was just the one for her. And Eddie Ryan? Oh, no fear, he's the bravest one of the batch. Of that I'm sure.
Rating:
Summary: the best ever
Review: From the beginning I was enraptured in this novel. Partly because I have a love for anything to do with Ireland, but mostly because I related to many of the characters, especially Dara. Not only were our names alike, but as I was reading I knew exactly what she was going through. Her turmoil was so much like my own. Binchy brought the characters alive. I felt I could walk up to them on the street and start talking to them as if i had known them for years. "Firefly Summer" is one of those books you hate to finish, it feels like you are saying good-bye to a go friend. It was honestly the best book i have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: A Slow Read, but worthwhile
Review: I absolutely love Maeve Binchy's books. I think that she is an incredible writer, but I was disappointed with this book. It took me a long time to get into the story, and I lost interst frequently. It took me almost 6 months to finish the book, because I kept putting it down. But it will not discourage from reading her other books. Because once I got into the book, I truly enjoyed the characters and I felt that they were real.
Rating:
Summary: classic maeve binchy
Review: I absolutely loved this book...I think it is my favorite binchy of all. It starts out slow, but is worth the wait. As usual, I found myself missing the characters when I was done reading the book....it is like you become a part of their lives. Maeve is my favorite!
Rating:
Summary: Not Binchy's best work
Review: I am a HUGE fan of Maeve Binchy. She and Rosamunde Pilcher are my two favorite authors and I have read many, if not most of their works. This was definitely not my favorite. The book was engaging enough but also a very depressing read. One tragedy after another took place and at the end I could not honestly say that I enjoyed reading it. Oh yes, I enjoyed reading the descriptives and the interactions between the people of the sleepy town of Mountfern because Binchy just has a way of drawing you in. But, although the writing was good, the content was sad and depressing. I wish more good things would have happened. The ending was incredulous. I could not believe so many things were left hanging. It was as if after nearly 700 pages she just decided to be done after only a moment's thought. There was absolutely no closure between the characters or storylines whatsoever. There was no sigh of contentment upon reading the last page and closing the book. There was just a sigh. Almost always I finish Binchy's books with a yearning for more, sad that the story has ended and I can no longer be apart of the lives she has written about. This was not the case with this book. For a truly excellent read I would highly recommend Circle of Friends (I think her best work), The Glass Lake or The Copper Beech.
Rating:
Summary: Touching, sweet and powerful
Review: I have been on a Binchy marathon for the past nine months which has culminated with this novel, Firefly Summer. Let me tell you, this book was utterly fantastic. The story of Mountfern touched me from the very beginning when the kids learned their "special place", the burned remains of an old, once powerful mansion, would be rebuilt. Because of this, their entire world changed. Maeve Binchy spins a wonderful Irish yarn that takes a surprising plot twist at the end. If you liked The Glass Lake or Light a Penny Candle, this book is definitely for you. I can't stop raving about it!!!
Rating:
Summary: A splendid story, I get completely drawn into it!
Review: I have read this book at least twenty times, and I will read it at least a thousand times more. This beautiful story is of love, trust, and life, it completely draws me into it. I wish there were a sequel to this wonderful story.
Rating:
Summary: A wondeful story and cleverly written!
Review: I just finished reading this book and loved it! In the beginning, getting through the long list of (wonderful and dreadful) characters was an effort, but as the story evolves these people become absolutely REAL! Binchy has a knack for turning a phrase and spinning a tale, entertaining and enlightening at the same time. Truly one of her best works!
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