Silver Wedding

Rating:
Summary: A True Story Teller
Review: Maeve Binchy is a great storyteller. All of her books are filled with character description and are definately page turners. The Silver Wedding took me by suprise the way each character had different views on the same events which is usually true in real life. This is the seventh book of Binchy's that I have read and everytime I finish one, I can't wait to start the next. The Silver Wedding, although not my favorite of hers, lived up to my expectations of Bincy's marvelous ability to telling a story. Definately recommende d as a summer read. (or anytime!)

Rating:
Summary: Bittersweet but beautiful
Review: Maeve Binchy, in her usual style, introduces us to her characters one-by-one. As we meet each character, their inner thoughts explain their relationships to each other, and to the activities that are happening in each individual's life. This bittersweet tale is very realistic in explaining how and why people act in the strange ways that we all do. As we meet each person, the puzzle comes together and by the end the reader has a complete picture of the event, the thoughts, the preparation, and the cast of the Silver Wedding Party. This beautiful book may encourage us all to realize and respect the reasons for other people's life-choices. We only know part of the story.

Rating:
Summary: A disappointment
Review: Maeve's forte is character development, dialogue, and interaction, and Silver Wedding was far below her usual standard.

Rating:
Summary: A trulh story is in our real life
Review: The story discripes all kind of people. Some people are kind and some people are bad.

Rating:
Summary: Not a Classic Binchy
Review: This book did not give the depth that Binchy usually has. It had a very week storyline and the reader did not get to truly know a character. I am a great Binchy fan, but was disappointed in this one. The story was too predictable.

Rating:
Summary: I was very disappointed with this book.
Review: This book doesn't even come close to the quality I have come to expect from Maeve Binchy. The story lines never come together. Basically, the entire book is a set of character sketches. Yes, it kept my attention and I did finish the book, but by the time I was finished, I regretted spending the time on it and fussed at my mother who told me in advance that this was not one of her favorites. (She should have been a bit more forthcoming!) I would not recommend this book; on the contrary, I would discourage someone from investing any time on this book. There are many, many better books out there, including all others by still-a-favorite Maeve Binchy.

Rating:
Summary: Another Binchy Great
Review: This book takes a typical family, examines its seperate members, and then provides a look at the whole with the knowledge of the secrets each member has.

I enjoy Binchy's style of writing interconnected stories that weave together. She pulled it off first in Lilac Bus and now Silver Wedding.

Rating:
Summary: a realistic heart-wrenching one by Binchy
Review: This is possibly Binchy's most realistic book on family life and human relationships. Several people -- including their three children -- are gathering for Desmond and Deirdre's 25th wedding anniversary. Each chapter is devoted to a different character and where they are in their lives, how they got there, and how it affects their comfort level at the celebration when they encounter the others, including the long-married couple.

Among them are Deirdre and Desmond themselves (in separate chapters), their daughter Anna who just got unmistakable proof her boyfriend is cheating on her, their clumsy silly daughter Helen who has joined a convent as a means of finding peace with her place in the world (and is messing up anyway), their son Brendan who has gone to work on their reclusive uncle's farm and is debating whether to attend the party at all.

Then there are those who served as best man and maid of honor years ago, as well as co-workers. And Deirdre and Desmond's relationship as well...

This book will leave you with a slightly unsettled sense, just like many complicated relationships in real life do. At first I didn't like the book for it but, upon the second reading, perhaps that is what makes it so good!!!

Rating:
Summary: Love this book
Review: This was a wonderful reading experience.

Rating:
Summary: Good, but not developed enough
Review: This was good, but unlike most of MB's novels, the characters were not developed enough for my taste. I felt like I didn't really connect with any of the characters. I enjoy her style though