Introducing someone to Maeve Binchy

limnam

what book would you recommend that would give someone a good overall feel for what Meave Binchy is about?

Lady Chatterton

limnam wrote: »

what book would you recommend that would give someone a good overall feel for what Meave Binchy is about?

My favourite Maeve Binchy books are Scarlett Feather and Quentins. I loved the characters in Scarlett Feather so much that I didn't want the book to come to an end. Some of the characters appear again in Quentins so it's important to read Scarlett Feather first.

Quentins isn't as good a read as Scarlett Feather but I still enjoyed it very much.

echo beach

Start at the beginning with Light A Penny Candle? (I think that was her first book but I'm open to correction).

hcass

Circle of Friends - her best book if you ask me. It's so "complete".

krankykitty

I would second Circle of Friends, reread it recently and enjoyed it every bit as much as the first time

Aenaes

I think The Lilac Bus was my first Binchy novel (I've only read a couple anyways) and found it good.

username123

Echoes. Definitely Echoes! I still shed a tear when re-reading it!

Although I agree re Light a Penny Candle and The Lilac Bus too.

HeadPig

Can men read her books?

krankykitty

HeadPig wrote: »

Can men read her books?

Of course! Men can read any books they like

HeadPig

krankykitty wrote: »

Of course! Men can read any books they like

Yeah but are they completely targeted towards women?

echo beach

HeadPig wrote: »

Yeah but are they completely targeted towards women?

They, like many other books, are marketed towards women because publishers know that women read a lot more fiction than men. Personally I think this is foolish. A good book is a good book, regardless of your gender.
Anybody who has the slightest interest in people and in human nature will enjoy her books.
In some of the writing aimed at women the male characters are stereotypes, either tall dark and handsome or bad boys of various hues, but those in Binchey's books are much more rounded, more like men we all know (and love, despite their faults).

hcass

I'm not a "Chick Lit" fan. I just like good books. And I like Maeve Binchy. I loved Circle of Friends.

I read books that are targeted at men and enjoy them so why can't it work the other way around. Just don't start reading it with the idea in your head that it is purely for women. Try to have an open mind about it.

Livvie

echo beach wrote: »

Start at the beginning with Light A Penny Candle? (I think that was her first book but I'm open to correction).

And maybe her best?

I like all her books, but LAPC was the deepest.

Minding Frankie is a good read. Some of the characters appear in other books too.

apieceofcake

I would recommend 'Light a Penny Candle' or 'Firefly Summer'

My mum had these copies in hardback and I remember reading them and becoming completely immersed in the story. They describe an Ireland that has all but disappeared.

Maeve was a wonderful writer and I am saying this as someone who is not a fan of any of the Irish 'chicklit' writers writing at the present time.