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Summary: preparation for christmas chaos
Review: a lazy, pleasant read for anyone who is approaching the holidays with some apprehension. maeve binchy's characters couple salinger's sentiment with the harsh reality of a raymond carver tale. okay, comparing this pop-culture author to two literary greats may be somewhat extreme, but the likenesses are apparent nonetheless. worried about a house full of tension come christmas morning? binchy assures that you are not alone with "the kinds of smiles a million other people (are) putting on their faces like children's masks over christmas." this compilation of fifteen stories is, at first, comforting in that it illustrates the myth of the hallmark holiday. (i.e., it isn't "a wonderful life" for all concerned). however, after ten or so woeful tales of infidelity, lost loves, and bratty step-children, i found myself almost wishing for the winter wonderland depicted in the more traditional tales. enough already with the dark side of christmas. in any event, maeve binchy's "this year it will be different," is worth a read. especially if you have a couple of hours to kill on an airplane en route home for the holidays
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Summary: Binchy delivers more interesting and insightful stories!
Review: As always, Binchy's stories stand out for two reasons: interesting, page turning plots and characters, and unpredictability. You may not be able to depend on happy endings and all loose ends neatly tied together in any of her fiction. But as always, you can look forward to learning something about human nature, and being highly entertained in the process. If you liked her other books, you will not be disappointed
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Summary: a departure from her norm
Review: Even the title seems both ominous and hopeful. This collection of short stories by Binchy all revolve around different women during Christmas time. A lot of them are coming to decisions about their relationships with men --- either their husbands, boyfriends or, in some unfortunate cases, their married (to someone else) boyfriends, their in-laws, stepchildren, grown children, you name it. Let's say the others in these relationships are in for a shock as far as these decisions are concerned! But at the same time it is uplifting to see women take control and not get used, and all of these stories have an element of that -- from the overlooked single woman who discovers she can have a holiday right in her hometown, to the fed-up mother who decides she doesn't want to be solely responsible for Chistmas cheer for a houseful of adults. Binchy fans -- beware, this book is not like her novels, but once you switch gears and keep an open mind, you will enjoy what it has to offer.
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Summary: Her best collection of short stories
Review: I bought all of Maeve Binchy's books back in May. I saved this one for December because I figured it would be the perfect month to enjoy reading Christmas stories. Was I ever right!! This book was fantastic! Beats her other collections with a stick--and that's a tough job. Plus, the short story format is such a breath of fresh air. I caught myself driving down the road catching a glimpse of this book laying on the passenger seat and saying, "That right there is a great book!"
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Summary: Read it over each holiday season....
Review: I bought this book the year it came out, and was slightly disappointed in the dismal tone some of the stories begin with. But Binchy is at her finest with characters that are full of flaws and concerns just like all of us. I have read it again and each year the characters become closer to me and I appreciate her writing more fully. Not heartwarming holiday faire, but insightful. Quietly thought provoking. Details make it rich. Thanks Maeve.
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Summary: Characters not developed enough to be true Binchy
Review: I liked her departure from her usual. But for me, Maeve Binchy's strength is her development of characters in her stories. The short stories just didn't allow that. I enjoyed the stories, but wasn't overwhelmed like I usually am at her work.
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Summary: This Year it will be Different
Review: I recommend that you sit down by the fireplace or Christmas tree and read this book during the Holidays. It will make you feel great inside. The stories are short and heart-warming to the soul.
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Summary: Disappointing
Review: I was disappointed in this collection of stories. Most were depressing accounts of ill fated love affairs and family dysfunction during the Christmas season. I was really expecting more from Ms. Binchy. She doesn't usually disappoint.
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Summary: Tales of less-than-perfect Christmases
Review: In her novels, Binchy frequently addresses some of the more tragic aspects of life with humor and grace, and she does the same in this collection of stories. Each tale takes place at Christmastime, but there is little sentitmentality here. Instead, Binchy offers us a peek into the more trying aspects of the holidays: the teenager who captures all of her family's flaws on film, the young woman who realizes that her affair with a married man isn't quite as wonderful as she had been telling herself, the happily married woman who struggles with her rebellious stepdaughter, the wife and mother who is tired of having the entire responsibility for the holidays fall on her shoulders, the group of crotched-y nursing residents who have no families to go to on Christmas day, etc. Although these are not exactly "feel-good" stories, many incorporate an aspect of triumph. This book is likely to be appreciated by anyone who has ever strived for the "perfect" Christmas and has fallen short.
Rating:
Summary: Tales of less-than-perfect Christmases
Review: In her novels, Binchy frequently addresses some of the more tragic aspects of life with humor and grace, and she does the same in this collection of stories. Each tale takes place at Christmastime, but there is little sentitmentality here. Instead, Binchy offers us a peek into the more trying aspects of the holidays: the teenager who captures all of her family's flaws on film, the young woman who realizes that her affair with a married man isn't quite as wonderful as she had been telling herself, the happily married woman who struggles with her rebellious stepdaughter, the wife and mother who is tired of having the entire responsibility for the holidays fall on her shoulders, the group of crotched-y nursing residents who have no families to go to on Christmas day, etc. Although these are not exactly "feel-good" stories, many incorporate an aspect of triumph. This book is likely to be appreciated by anyone who has ever strived for the "perfect" Christmas and has fallen short.
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