Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Circle of Friends
Book Review: Friendship, love, dilemmas,
Summary: 5 Stars
If you like to get the feeling that you realy get to know the persons descriped in a book...you favorite authour from now on will be maeve Binchy, she is simply the greatest...Book Review: Friendships
Summary: 4 Stars
Circle of Friends by Maeve BinchyMaeve Binchy's Circle of Friends focuses on the friendships of Benny and Eve, starting from their childhood years in Knockglen, to their days at college in Dublin. Benny is a large over weight young woman, somewhat shy, and Eve is a petite girl who grew up as an orphan with a convent of nuns. Together, they share life's joys and sorrows and experience what growing up is all about.
While a few chapters focus on their early childhood, the bulk of the book takes place in College. Eve and Benny decide to go to school in Dublin, and while Eve gets to move out from the convent and into her own place, Benny ends up living at home with her over-protective parents.
Despite the fact that she doesn't have as much freedom as her college-mates, Benny does make many new friends at the college. Benny and Eve meet Nan, a beautiful young woman who befriends them on their first day of school. The three of them become best of friends, and are always seen hanging out together. On the same day, they also meet Jack Foley, a very good-looking son of a local doctor, and soon Benny falls in love with him. These two and many other new friends become part of Benny and Eve's new life at college. A lot of parties and lunches and good times are had by all.
As always, there is a huge cast of characters in this Maeve Binchy novel, along with complicated plot twists which all get resolved at the end. The book takes us back and forth between the two towns, throwing in various subplots including the story behind Eve's family history, which could be a novel in itself. The book's main emphasis, however, is friendship and betrayal, and the loyalties that one makes throughout their lives. Circle of Friends comes highly recommended from this reader.
Book Review: Great Read
Summary: 4 Stars
As a male reader I did have some difficulty getting into the book, but after the first 100 pages I was hooked. Ms. Binchy is a great storyteller. However, some of the character development was not as good as her other book I read--Evening Class.Book Review: Great Sensitivity Training for Guys
Summary: 5 Stars
This book was so captivating that I am considering flying to Ireland for a vacation.I did not expect to enjoy this book (I was staying the night at a friend's house and usually read a chess book before bed, but had to borrow one of his sister's since he was asleep already). I had heard it was "girly" and usually don't go for that sort of novel. In this case, however, I read it almost nonstop until I finished. One night in particular, despite stinging eyes and groaning stomach, I continued reading until 10 in the morning -- a new personal record. The author must have done something right to hold my attention that completely. Well done, Maeve Binchy.
Book Review: Great Ugly Duckling Story...Not A Cliche
Summary: 5 Stars
This is one of Binchy's best books, in my opinion. She takes a chcarcter who is very insecure, Benny, and puts her in situations that are new and different for her. Instead of making the standard decisions that every other writer has characters choose, Benny takes a stand in her sheltered life, and ultimately the best decision.This book is about an overweight girl, who goes to college, thinking that the world is not available to her, since she lives with protective parents who want her to marry Sean, her father's assistant in the family menswear shop. She meets Jack, a handsome boy who could have any girl, and who chooses Benny, although is not completely faithful to her. Benny deals with her insecurities about her relationship and life. While Jack is charming and funny, she does not realize that Jack really isn't the boy for her. Her relationships with friends Eve, who is an orphan raised by the nuns of Knockglen, Nan, a Dublin girl, and many other townspeople are intriguing.
If you love an underdog/ugly duckling story, this is the one for you. I also think the movie is great, although I typically do not like movie adaptions.